Meet Monica Barker

Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Barker.

Hi Monica, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey grew up and lived in Calif. School: Cal Poly – Recreation Business Major.

Moved to NY, applied for a job at Macy’s. Rejected, said I didn’t have any skills, I worked in a hotel as a front desk manager.

Job Experience – Leading to Entrepreneurship of five businesses

1. San Luis Obispo Gottschalks , shoes (college days)
2. Carmel, California Saks Fifth Avenue – Cosmetic Counter Manager
3. Palo Alto, California Clarins Skincare. I was an Instructrice de Beaute and was sent to Paris for training!!!
4. Menlo Park, California Sunset Magazine worked in the Hospitality Dept. either cooking or serving
5. Palo Alto, Calif Home Chef Cooking School Kitchen manager and Cooking Instructor. It was here I really honed in on my cooking skills.

My businesses as Sole Proprietor

1. Palo Alto, California Timeless Upscale Consignment Store. Owner and Involved with all aspects of the store. I loved to do the Window Displays!

2. Tiger lily Kitchen, Private Chef and Caterer – Tons of Physical and Hard work It never ended! I specialized in healthy cooking after a visit at Canyon Ranch in Arizona.

3. Moved to Tucson, Arizona, Ten Outfits Ten Rooms Wardrobe and Interior Decor Consulting. I was running just Ten Outfits for many years and then decided to add the Interiors. I loved the idea of not selling anything as I did in my consignment store but rather work one on one with clients to help them achieve their best self! Ten rooms evolved as I was walking into homes and heading to client’s closets, I couldn’t help notice many clients needed Interior upgrades and improvements as well.

4. Tucson, Arizona Tiger Lily Table, Vintage China and Glassware rentals. I have hand-selected over 5000 one of a kind pieces to make events, weddings, corporate gatherings extra special and memories that last a lifetime. After searching for vintage champagne glasses for my own 2nd wedding in 2018, I decided to turn my small inventory into a complete tabletop rental business. It’s absolutely gorgeous! I create tablescapes to customize any event.

5. Tucson, Arizona Tiger Lily Flower Shop After so many tablescapes completed, I realized flowers are a main component of the table. I can create fresh or faux for the tablescapes, home decor or home staging

Other accomplishments
Stylist for Tucson Lifestyle Magazine
Spinning and Pilates Instructor for LA Fitness, Ventana Roche Medical Systems
My three passions that intertwine Food, Fitness, Fashion
Where did I get my experience — No Fashion formal training, all experience.
Magazines, Stores – Bergdorf’s etc. Travel, Work Retail, Movies, Museums – Fashion Exhibits, Reading the subject, my store Timeless
Hired an Image Consultant and she taught me how to run my Wardrobe Consulting Business. I took many fashion risks – learned from my mistakes
Makeup Certification in Chicago, Interior Décor certification in NY, Floral Design Certification in NY

Current Job, current life
Solo owner of my businesses – I do everything!!!

Office: Develop website, Advertise, create ads, Marketing social media, Bookkeeping, invoices, taxes, newsletters, workshops, presentations, project makeover, blog, photographer and lots of editing

In the field – closets consult, personal shopping, photoshoots, interior layouts, makeup consults, tablescape styling, floral design and therapy!

I am a therapist, especially when it comes to Ten Outfits, Wardrobe consulting. Client is #1. It’s not about me, I make people feel special, I am not a fashion snob, can interact with all walks of life and people. Responsible, a leader, confident when making decisions for the client, understanding the client’s needs. As a businesswoman, I know what I want and need, I believe in myself and take chances. I am stylish. Freedom and the proud feeling I have done all this myself.

Loyal clients, making people’s day, running a successful business, creating beautiful tablescapes for beautiful moments.

Advice: Do your homework, be tough with rejection, take care of yourself, GO for it!!!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not a smooth road.

1. Getting financing for Timeless Consignment Store- Credit Cards started the business.

2. Having the guts to transition into a cooking career Also being physically strong to do the business.

3. Starting over – Ten Outfits in Tucson with no contacts, working with FAITH!

4. Injuries that set me back.

5. A divorce from 25 years that rearranged my life.

6. Starting a new business Tiger Lily Table and have the Pandemic chase that. It has been a struggle and still is with both of my businesses.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have been told I am a Renaissance Woman. I am capable of doing many things at once. I am interested in many things and I have also been told everything I do make it beautiful. I think I inspire people because I am relatable to everyone, I keep moving forward no matter what and I make people feel special. I loved when I helped someone have a little more beauty in their life too! It is so important to me.

What matters most to you?
Making peoples day and living a beautiful life thru style, interiors, food, travel, art, friends, family.

Contact Info:

• Email: tenoutfits@gmail.com
• Instagram: monicas_modernlifestyle and tigerlilytable
• Facebook: Monica Negri Barker
• Other: tenoutfitstenrooms tigerlilytable