Style consultant helps people 'look their best'
An interview with Kelly Augustyniak, owner of The Perspektive in Barrington.
Q: Describe your business. What do you do?
A: The Perspektive is a personalized style, reinvention & fashion consultancy service. I am a professional stylist and imaging expert. What I do is I make people look their best and make it as simple as possible for them by taking the work and frustration out of it.
Q: What made you start your business?
A: I opened the studio in Barrington to expand my network into a new area I have not worked with extensively and develop new contacts in hopes of establishing some new client relationships. The best opportunity to make a great connection is by way of referral, of course, but the studio is where someone new can comfortably come in, sit down, have a chat and see if they feel there is a connection and an opportunity that I can improve a small facet of their life. It's also serves as a location to have events, trunk shows and eventually I plan to incorporate some unique experience ideas. Perhaps, a quaint First Friday event. Something to bring like people together and be exposed to something you might not have been otherwise.
Q: What has been the most difficult obstacle in running or starting a small business?
A: Getting exposure and the word out.
Q: What do you enjoy most about operating your business?
A: Having the opportunity to meet and be hired by some of the most fascinating and influential men and women, is truly an honor. I am learning something new and astounding, on the regular, while I provide them with a service that allows them to put more focus back into being amazing. I am fortunate that my business allows for such enrichment of life.
Q: Is this what you pictured yourself doing when you were young? When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: Although many consider me their fashion therapist, I thought I would be a doctor; actually went to U of I for pre-med, but fashion has always been my biggest passion. I'm sure there are some great pics floating around of me as a little girl, somewhere, all dressed up in jewelry and whatever else I could find.
Q: What keeps you up at night?
A: Ideas and items I saw that would be a perfect fit for a specific client that I can't wait to tell them about. I call it my revolving Rolodex. On the creative side: an oversized portfolio clutch collection I have been mentally designing for the last year and a small novelty fine jewelry design concept I plan to produce.
Q: If you could give one tip to a rookie business owner, what would it be?
A: Ask questions, listen closely, trust your gut, be courageous, be resilient and develop your network before you need it.
• Every Monday we feature a small, suburban business. We want to hear about yours. Contact us at kmikus@dailyherald.com.
The Perspektive
337 W. Main St.
Barrington, IL 60010
Owner: Kelly Augustyniak
Year business started: I've been styling in various areas of the nation during the last 13 years and recently launched the studio in Barrington in May 2014.
Web address: http://www.theperspektive.com