Surviving the Side Hustle

From Image Consultant to Empowerment Advocate: Celeste's Journey of Personal Style and Entrepreneurial Resilience

• Coach Rob • Season 1 • Episode 82

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Personal style can be a game-changer, and nobody knows this better than our guest, Celeste Moore. She's the certified image consultant who takes an innovative approach, blending personality DNA with a four by four color analysis to help entrepreneurs find their unique style. Celeste opens up about her journey into the world of image consulting, inspired by a simple suggestion from her mother, which blossomed into a thriving business. Her method is akin to a fashion version of the Myers-Briggs test, using personal attributes and biometrics to craft style guides that empower individuals to shine with confidence.

Entrepreneurship is no easy feat, especially when you're juggling it with the demands of solo parenting. Celeste shares her candid experiences, from financial woes to the lessons learned through bankruptcy. Her story highlights the reality of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and self-development over chasing the elusive perfect work-life balance. Seeking guidance from mentors and joining networking groups proved crucial in navigating unfamiliar business concepts, demonstrating that knowing your craft and running a business are two entirely different worlds.

The conversation shifts to the transformative power of image consulting and color psychology in personal branding. Celeste dispels the myth that image consultants mold clients into something they're not, instead focusing on enhancing their true selves. Whether it's choosing the right attire for a speaking engagement or understanding how color choices communicate non-verbal confidence, Celeste's insights are invaluable. We also touch upon her upcoming projects, including a membership portal and virtual styling services, leaving listeners eager for more insights and future connections.

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Speaker 1:

What's going on, guys, and welcome back to another episode On today's show. We've got a good, awesome, amazing person, celeste Moore. We've connected through a couple of different events and things. I'm excited to have you on today and just kind of catch up, hear a little bit more about your story, see what's going on and just really kind of diving in. So thank you for joining in today.

Speaker 2:

Oh, my God, thank you for having me on, so excited to get to talk to you and your audience today.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah. So why don't we just dive kind of like right in into it? Do you mind sharing a little bit about who you are, what it is you do, the problem you solve, kind of thing?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, yeah, so my name is Celeste Moore. I am a certified image consultant and I really help entrepreneurs really discover and master their own unique style so that they can truly command every room that they walk in, no matter if it's on a physical stage, on a Zoom call or just in meetings with bosses you know ready to land bigger deals. So just show up as the expert that you should be seen, as we really make sure that your inner energy matches your outer appearance.

Speaker 1:

So how do you so? How does that happen? How do you build that confidence and energy and such yeah.

Speaker 2:

So it's really about learning more about your personality DNA. So each and every one of us has, believe it or not, we're born with a yin yang, energy, extrovert, introvert. I really help you define who you are as an individual and really own that and then bring that onto your outer appearance by doing a what I call a four by four color analysis. So the first part of that is finding out all of those pieces Like what do you do for a living, what are your hobbies? Really getting to know you at a deeper level so that I can help really define who you are. We also I do a style analysis. It's kind of like it's a Myers-Briggs test.

Speaker 2:

Believe it or not, it's a 70 question. You know. You answer the first one or the second one right off the top of your head and that really defines your primary style, like who you are as an individual and what you prefer, and your secondary and I can dive into that later. But then I really take your measurements on your body and do your biometrics and put them in a system I have and that spits out like what looks best on your body type, because we have two different body types, and it's like, really like when we create a masterpiece and that masterpiece really is like your suit I don't know if your suit of armor it's kind of what I like to describe as like when I put on that perfect color, style and whatever for my body type, I literally can walk through any room and I, I feel it is me, I feel that I have ultimate confidence and that, um, really, I can, um do whatever I need to do for the day.

Speaker 1:

So it's pretty powerful do whatever I need to do for the day, so it's pretty powerful. Yeah, I mean, that definitely sounds like it. So how did you get into all of this? Where did you first dabble in and the whole journey start.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, thanks for asking. Well, after I graduated college, I really knew that law school wasn't the next journey for me and I really started to tap into some of the things that I was really passionate about, even just as a hobby. I just really wanted to, kind of I really wanted to dive into passion, what I was passionate about, because I felt that to be successful in life, I wanted to. For this to be a long end game, and so, long story short, I, my mom, asked me she goes, why don't you become an image consultant? And I was like, well, really, what's an image consultant? And I looked it up and it was really how to master and discover with your um, helping entrepreneurs really define their business goals on their outer appearance.

Speaker 2:

And I was like, oh my God, people get paid for this. And like, sign me up, I want to go and I want to do this. This is like fun for me. And then to make money on top of it was even better. So I got certified. I um started to just really dive into the business. I didn't know anything about entrepreneurship though that was another game in itself of like, how do I run a business? You know, I knew what I was great at, but how did I make that into a business? So that's kind of how I started that journey.

Speaker 1:

Yeah Well, so I love that, and now you're kind of diving into your challenges on that. So what was it like when you first dove into entrepreneurship? Like was that first taste of entrepreneurship? Or like for yourself and family, or uh, so how did where did you learn? Like yeah, dive in, cause I have a bunch of questions on that.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, so I, um, you know being trained as an image consultant? They basically say, oh, just charge this amount of dollars. You know being trained as an image consultant. They basically say, oh, just charge this amount of dollars, you know, do this thing. But they don't really tell you how to run a business.

Speaker 2:

So I just started asking people within my circle, my sphere of influence, like who I knew was a business coach or a doctor or a lawyer, and I just started working with those people one-on-one. But to actually run the business I was, I just started joining networking groups and I hired a business coach because I literally didn't even know what ROI was or, um, what a CTA was, like how do I market? I mean, it was just, it was. It's been a journey. Um, yeah, I'm like, what is that? I don't want to know all that stuff, but you have to. You really have to at the end of the day. And so, yeah, I just really hired those people because I just didn't know what I was doing.

Speaker 2:

And that was probably the beginning of my self-development career as well. That really started that off as well, and I think any entrepreneur getting into this for the first time or the second time or the third time. Really knowing how to work on yourself is only going to make your business better. And hiring coaches, going to groups, learning how to speak, all the things, because we might be great at one thing, which I was but now, how do I incorporate that and make that a business? So it just took a lot of time. It didn't happen overnight for me, because I didn't. I wasn't able to dive into it like a thousand percent because I was a sole parent at the same time. I just had a baby and was a challenge in itself, so I didn't have someone to go take her for a few hours while I went networking. Well, I did, I ended up hiring someone, but I didn't have a spouse or a partner, so that made it a lot more challenging.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, and I can totally relate to you on the aspect of when you're diving into like a craft and you're really learning to hone your expertise in it, like because same thing for me, like as a strength and conditioning coach and a personal trainer they just teach you like a little bit of anatomy, they teach you a little bit about programming and how to do this and how to do that, and then they're like yeah, then you just charge and then like that's it all right. What about like scheduling and like gaining new clients? And how do I like develop relationships with past clients and all this other stuff and marketing, and nobody teaches you any of that. So I was in a similar boat too.

Speaker 1:

Unfortunately, I don't have any kids yet and so I can't relate to you on that aspect of things, but I can relate to juggling a lot of different challenges and struggles at once. So, and you said you started to hire some people out to kind of handle things. But how did that take a toll on you as like, because you're a new mom and also a new business owner, you're wearing a lot of different hats. How do you, how did you handle code switching between business owner to mom, to being a daughter, to being a friend, to being this and to being that.

Speaker 2:

Honestly, I don't know how many people I've actually told this to, but my daughter was just barely three and I actually went through a bankruptcy. So so you know, I learned quite a bit. I wanted to be there and watch her grow up, and that was really, really important to me, just as much as it was to become a business owner and do the things that I was passionate about as a woman and as Celeste, and so, because of that, I needed to hire out and I just started putting everything on credit cards just so that I could like live that life the way that I wanted to. And in at the end of 2009, I had two houses. I had, I know, uh, two Range Rovers. I was living very well. I literally had my Range Rovers repoed. I had my house, my main house that I had built for my, my daughter and daughter and I. I had a short sale. I had a second rental that I actually ended up. That went part into the bankruptcy.

Speaker 2:

But at the same time, going through that was probably one of the most difficult, challenging moments in my life, but it taught me so much. It taught me so much that I never want to experience that again. It also taught me how to be more serious with my money. It also taught me that you know, sometimes you just can't have everything you've got to have. You know, it depends on your situation and it's okay to take a little bit longer where I wanted to just like, let's go, let's make this, you know, um, a success tomorrow, and that's just not. It just doesn't happen in entrepreneurship. So I think it was a great learning tool, although one of the hardest tool, you know um circumstances for me to go through.

Speaker 2:

But after that I knew how to. I got back on my feet again and I just didn't have credit cards for a while, but I paid it with everything, cash, and I appreciated things more and you know, then I got back, I got back up to where I needed to be. So, yeah, I don't know it was difficult to balance. I think it's always been a challenge, because I don't know if that's actually a thing. I don't think life, work balance is a thing.

Speaker 1:

Well, thank you for sharing that. I appreciate you for being so vulnerable and sharing that story and I agree with you I don't think there's really such thing as a balance. I think there's different seasons and kind of got to lean into them, um, and like you gotta, you gotta dive in one way or another into certain things, and balancing is it's more of like an image or an idea. But I'd love to shift the conversation back to, uh, right now, working with you, because you kind of hinted in the beginning. You have them sit down, you kind of share, talk to them a little bit about like who they are, learning more about their personality. I wanted to bring back to that because I'm curious on how does the personality really affect or change what their image kind of looks like?

Speaker 2:

Well, think about it this way. You know you've a lot of people have the misconception that image consultant wants to change Just for you. As an example, if you came to me and you said, celeste, I really I don't know, help me out right, help me elevate my style so that I can really land that job, there's a misconception that I'm going to change you for who I want you to be versus who you actually are. And it's really important that I know who you are and I know your colors based on your eyes, skin, hair and personality, your style test based on the answers that you give me and your body style. Because if I wanted you to be something who you are, that's not going to land. You need to understand who you are as a person on a deeper level.

Speaker 2:

All of that matters and I I don't know it's the craziest thing, rob. I just know that when I do all of the steps and I get into you and then bring that on the outer appearance, it's like magic, freaking happens. I don't know it's this transformation. I've seen it with myself, so I can truly tell you I'm not just on the hundreds of clients that I worked with and seeing them, the confidence that comes, but it's like oh hey, Celeste, I see you on the outside there, I see you shining through, I see everything about you is who you are in your inner, your inner personality. It's just I. I wish I can define it better for your audience here, but it truly is like magic when it happens.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I love that because I'm a big fan of the idea of fake it till you make it, especially for myself with other entrepreneurs and in the ass and like the, I guess in like the world of copying somebody else.

Speaker 1:

So, copying somebody else and what they have, going on until you make it, or until you start to develop your own client or your income and things like that, because then it's time for you to put your own unique spin on it. And I help a lot of people diving into figuring out really, like, how do you put that unique spin of yourself into the thing? And I love that too, because I've seen a lot of people wearing different things and rocking outfits that they see other individuals wearing, and different colors and such and, and I can see how that might kind of play through in themselves. Um, but do you ever see anybody who's also kind of I don't want to say like dressed incorrectly or their, their images in the line, but then they still shine through with the confidence and such? Because, like, because you're helping people build the confidence, if someone else already has the confidence, can they kind of wear pretty much anything or rock anything kind of way is what I'm asking oh yeah, no, I don't think not everybody who comes to me doesn't have confidence.

Speaker 2:

I I want to like really preface that, because I think what it is is just elevating you to that next level. You could already have confidence because really my clients are people that they're already the expert in their field, they already know their message. They just want to make that land with their audience. So before you open your mouth, you're sending messages and you know there's this whole thing. Like you know, we don't judge whatever it's. It's innate in our and it happens within seconds. And the reason why? Because back when it was like, uh, when we first became, you know, out of cavemen, it was like for danger purposes, we need to evaluate what that object is, and color is the first thing that we see. So color sends an energy. So it's really about me getting like diving deep with you and understanding your audience, understanding your goals as a professional or personal and what it is that you want to say. So we make sure that not only am I getting the right colors and the style and all that thing for you, but we're really delivering your message before you open your mouth, because when you open your mouth and you really tell everybody yo, I'm Rob, this is what I do. They're already going to trust you based on what your, your appearance, and so you're going to land that message even harder. And so you're going to land that message even harder. It's going to just like be cemented, and so really, it's yes, you have this confidence like no other, and I'll tell you a quick story on that.

Speaker 2:

I spoke on stage in September for probably the first time, like an actual speaking engagement, and the night before, you know, we're at rehearsal and I get up there to rehearse my speech and I'm choking and I'm just like, okay, I've practiced for so many months. Well, you're going to see, at this point it's either going to come out or I'm just going to bomb, right, so let's see. The next day I'm practicing in my room and then I put on my suit, the one that I strategically prepared for this audience. The audience was innovation, they were innovative, they were a luxury group and they were in a creative space. So the particular outfit I wore was strategically for this audience. My jacket was purple, and purple represents luxury, innovative and creation and creative. And I had a yellow pant on, and I know this might sound crazy to some people.

Speaker 2:

But there's two ways to command ultimate confidence on stage. One of them is to wear high contrast colors. So that's like, for example, black and white or Navy and white. You know you've got a dark color and you've got a light color and people automatically look at you because you're commanding that resembles that Well for me. I particularly cannot wear high contrast. I'm a medium contrast, meaning my features and all the things. If I wore high contrast it would be distracting to you. So another way to command attention is to wear the complimentary color. So the complimentary color on the color wheel, from purple, which just means directly down, is yellow.

Speaker 2:

And so before I got on stage, people were in the back because they were kind of bored with other speakers. Unfortunately, that happens if the speeches aren't landing texting on their phone, really not paying attention. And before they called me on the stage, people knew I was coming on stage. I had no idea what I was going to talk about. First of all, I just want to preface this. They came up to the front from the back and nobody was on their phone, and I have to say this in the best way, in a non-boastful way, but because I wore the suit before I wore the colors, people knew that I was important and I had something to say. And they came up and they were like this, and then my speech was even. Obviously I worked with a coach and he helped me, but it landed so much more deep because they were really listening to what I had to say.

Speaker 1:

So love that, I love that and that's incredible and the you hinted there that purple has so many different meanings there. What are some other colors and what are the meanings? If you could share real quick on that, because I'm really interested in hearing about those not black, not white, but those do.

Speaker 2:

Those do send messages as well. So, like, navy is the most trusting color. Think about, like the, the big banks, right, a lot of them have Navy. Maybe the only one is probably Wells Fargo that I can think of offhand, but like Citibank and, uh, you know all the U S bank and all of them, because they want you to, to trust you with you know, with their money so, or with your money.

Speaker 2:

So, um, red is the most powerful color. So red, adding little bits of red, if you're, if you lack confidence or you're nervous or or you want to come across as more confident, you'll, you'll put some red into your outfit, but too much red can be um a turnoff as well. So you have to be careful with um really confident colors. So now I said white and black don't really. They don't have the same energy, but black does a couple of things. It's the most elegant color, so you can't get away with it for some instances. But it also, if you see people wearing a lot of black, it allows them to stay hidden and in the background. So if you get to know people that are wearing black a lot, they're either not too confident, they could be introverted. Um, it's interesting once you start to notice these little cues, right when you're meeting people. White allows you to come to the forefront, but it's it doesn't, um, it's not remembered.

Speaker 2:

So think about, like, who your audience is. If you're networking, if you're speaking, if you're just going to a meeting, what is the purpose of that event, what is the purpose of that meeting and who is your audience. And I can drop a free color psychology PDF I have for your audience for no big deal. It's like it's awesome. It's just to know that way you can, you can wear green if you want growth and prosperity, and maybe you're you're talking to a group that you really want to talk about. You know money, or so it's just really cool to have and to know the knowledge because you can really strategically um, I guess maneuver people into believing what you want. Yeah.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, so how do people get that PDF? Do they go to your website or reach out to you?

Speaker 2:

You know I, if you, I can't, they can totally. Uh, they can go to my Instagram page and I believe it's the free booking link, or I can just give it to you at the end of this and anybody listening here can just go and grab it on your show notes. Cool, cool.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, definitely, yeah, that'd be cool. But I want to bring things kind of back now, because I'd like to hear a little bit more about where you're at with your business. What are you trying to get to? Do you just do one-on-one consulting, and what does that even look like? Is it just like, hey, we sit down for one day and then we're done? Or is it like hey, we update per season, or what?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, there's lots of opportunities to work with me. Hopefully, at the beginning of next quarter I'll have a membership portal this is one of my big 2025 goals so that people can access me who can't afford my one-on-one services. A bunch of free content once a month, q&a, just to kind of build that community sense. But right now I do one-on-one. I do have VIP days. I also work.

Speaker 2:

One of my specialties is custom suiting. I work with a designer in New York who really it's a really in-depth system where I do the color, style and body and then we pick out based on all of that your buttons, the lining, the type of fabric, where do you live in the world. So it's really detailed. What I do is really detailed and I and a custom style service, because I truly believe no one is alike and no one should get the oh you get. You all get the same service. So it really depends on your professional goals. I also go to you and I do closet audits. Um, that helps with really like just getting rid of stuff that doesn't work. Now that I know everything, you know, creating a system based on your lifestyle, it's really great to have that um go into your closet and just know where everything works. Um, I also. Let's see, I just actually got back from LA. Um, two hours ago.

Speaker 2:

I did I was a stylist for an actress and a celebrity for the first time for a photo shoot. So I do. Brand shoots is probably one of my specialties as well. So if you're looking to rebrand or just update your personal brand or just get new photos and you really want to elevate your game, I do all of that. It takes a little bit of time, though. Someone can't just call me tomorrow and be like okay, I have a brand shoot.

Speaker 2:

Like you know, I need a little time to like put that together two to three weeks so just keep that in mind.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, and I imagine you have to go through the whole process of really understanding who they are. And so when you have them in the beginning, is it your own kind of custom personality test or is it the Briggs test itself?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, so it is a combination. I do send you the 70 question Briggs test, but in 2025, there is coming. It's not I had to sign an NDA, so it's not quite out yet, but when there's a new system that's going to be combining the color and style a little bit more universal to helping me define your personality even more. It's even more in depth. It's going to be so cool. I'm so excited about it. So, yeah, it's just it's.

Speaker 2:

I don't know I don't know how to say it other than 18 years ago, when I first was certified, they didn't have the system. It's the only doubly accredited in the world. I'm working on my master's right now, which I will be getting in May, and there's only like 15 masters in the world. So it's it's just really cool that I get to teach globally in Dubai and educate people at just how important this is for you to know. It's really powerful because it doesn't matter what situation you're in. You're going to know and be authentically you, and I think in a world that everybody is the same or how do you differentiate yourself, how do you stand out I give you the tools to stand out and to be authentically you and like it's just.

Speaker 1:

It's just more tools in your back pocket so if someone's listening to this right now and they're like, okay, I'm in for this, I need more information, should you have that member portal, uh, kind of coming up in the next year or so or so, how do people stay in touch, figuring things out? Is it just social media or?

Speaker 2:

no. So I mean I have a website at celeste. It's celeste more m-o-o-r-ecom. Go to um, probably biggest on Instagram. It's Celeste Moore image.

Speaker 2:

Um, I also have a podcast called more style M O O R E style and where I'm giving a lot of tips. I mean you guys can find free stuff, you know, pretty much everywhere on my social media LinkedIn, uh, youtube, and, yeah, the membership portal will be in the next quarter, probably in a couple of months. But I really wanted to give a little bit more because, yeah, the membership portal will be in the next quarter, probably in a couple months. But I really wanted to give a little bit more because, yeah, my prices are expensive If you look at you know, dollars to dollars.

Speaker 2:

It is an investment, but it's like any investment as an entrepreneur, if you're spending money on schools and coaches or you know masterminds, wouldn't you want to also, you know, spend that money to invest in yourself so that you can just really show up as best as possible? And in my, in my mind it's a no brainer, but I understand some people have to wrap their head around that a little bit. So, um, but there's a lot of options to work with me, um, and I can do everything virtual as well. So a lot of people are like oh, you know, I can't afford to go her. You know, have her come to me or go to her, so that's also an option.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, perfect, yeah, virtual, great, great option. Um, so, yeah, this is awesome. I loved talking about the um colors and hearing a little bit more about your story and, um, this was great. And, celeste, I want to appreciate you and thank you for taking the time to kind of hop on today, especially right now at the time of recording right around the holiday, so it's a hectic time of year. The year is ending. You got projects, we've all got projects, so I appreciate you taking the time to kind of sit down and chat with me today.

Speaker 2:

Anytime.

Speaker 1:

And? But before we go, I got to ask you if you were to boil everything down, and you've got a young entrepreneurs, a side hustler, just starting out, coming to you asking for advice on what they should do to not only survive their side hustle but turn it into a thriving business, what would be your number one piece of advice for them?

Speaker 2:

Well, I'm going to tell you just really quick what I would recommend, because just this January is when I was truly dialed in to my purpose, like truly, truly dialed in. And now I'm not saying it's got to take you that long to do that, but the more you look at what you want to provide, what is your service, who are you providing the service for? And does that ring true? Does your soul sing when you think about that? What makes you the happiest? And really dive into that message and make that land, I promise, no matter what business that is for you or if it's just in the corporate world and that's what you want to do, then go for that full circle, because when you are crystal clear, that's when things happen, that's when things move. And I could have never imagined my life, even six months ago, where it's at today. And it's because I decided no, this is what I want to do and this is what makes me happy and this is what I can provide for other people.

Speaker 1:

Wow.

Speaker 2:

Yeah.

Speaker 1:

Love it, love it, love it, love it, and thank you so much again for taking the time. This was awesome and I really appreciate it and I'm looking forward to connecting with you again soon, so hopefully see you down the road a little bit here in 2025, especially down in Texas right Austin.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, definitely, thank you, rob. Appreciate it.

Speaker 1:

Talk to you soon, and that's it for us today, guys. Chat with you guys next time. Peace, peace, peace peace.