Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandra Mateu Yotty.
Sandra, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always been interested in writing and fashion from a very young age. I went to school to study Mass Communications while working for the school newspaper and teaching at a modeling school. I also freelanced as a model.
When I graduated, I decided to work behind the scenes and keep pursuing my writing. I started working as a production manager at an independent production company in Coral Gables, Florida. I was later promoted to producer and writer. During my free time and on the weekends, I kept working on my passion for fashion. I had a fashion blog, freelanced with magazines and styled shoots.
One day, I started styling talent while working on set. I finally combined all my passions and became a writer, producer and stylist. From that moment on, I’ve styled individuals for tv and film productions, photo shoots, fashion shows, events and everyday life. Today, I have my own styling business, Gitana Styling, and I work with different organizations and clients throughout the Valley.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, definitely not. It has been filled with ups and downs. The ups have been amazing and the downs have always been the stepping stone for the next best thing. It’s true what they say… when something doesn’t happen the way you want it, it’s because it’s pointing you in the right direction. As an entrepreneur, you not only get to do your craft (writing, producing, styling), you also need to do everything else that keeps a business going.
You have to become a CEO, as well as every position inside your company. From web designer to the marketer, to social media guru, sales representative, pr person and more! It has been hard at times, but it has also been a ton of fun. I’ve learned so much about myself (and the world around me) and I’ve grown tremendously.
Please tell us about Gitana Styling.
My business Gitana Styling offers styling services to men and women for events, productions and everyday life. I specialize in styling photo shoots and fashion shows. I work with designers and local organizations like Phoenix Fashion Week, styling their shows, shoots and other productions.
Through the years, I’ve also developed a passion for helping fellow fashion entrepreneurs. For that reason, I created an online community called the Fashion Entrepreneur Club where we provide inspiration, support and knowledge to help fashionpreneurs grow their businesses. We do this through sharing information, tips, hosting webinars, teaching classes and more.
I’m also a liaison between the fashion industry and the Latin community. I’m a Latina (from Caracas, Venezuela) and I pride myself on helping the Latin community know what’s happening in the fashion industry and how they can get involved.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over I would have done everything the same, but I would have also liked to go to school for fashion. In an alternate universe where money or time doesn’t matter, I would have liked to study both things at the same time. I loved studying mass communications and learning everything about tv writing and production. However, I would have liked to learn more about fashion too.
I’m a nerd, so I’m always studying and learning. I don’t regret anything, but I do think I would have enjoyed going to fashion school and have that experience of being a student, collaborating with other fashionistas and doing fashion projects at a younger age. I guess, in reality, I probably would have taken classes or maybe joined an online fashion program while going to school for production. I’ve also would have loved to start learning about business since day one!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://gitanastyling.com/
- Email: info@gitanastyling.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gitanastyling/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GitanaStyling/
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FashionEntrepreneurClub/
Image Credit:
James Almanza, Mabel Cortez, James Almanza, Melissa Emily Apparel, Emanuel Smith, Rolling Rack Boutique, ShaLaJa Swimwear, Courtney Colliflower Ortiz, Discerning Media, Sobe Stanford
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