A Year In The Making

When I first envisioned Style Shyft, I had no idea how much growth, planning, and passion would go into making it a reality. This past year has been a journey of turning an idea into something tangible, meaningful, and ready to share with the world—and I’m excited to finally bring it to life.

One defining moment that pushed me to create Style Shyft happened during a designer trunk show that my wife, Chrissy, and I attended here in Philadelphia. Every year, one of her favorite brands comes to town, rents out a house, and holds a highly anticipated event where clients can sign up for a time slot to view and try on the collection. The clothing isn’t cheap, so you’d expect an experience as luxurious as the price tag. Unfortunately, what we experienced was far from it.

From the start, the staff made it clear they weren’t thrilled about me joining Chrissy in her session. Chrissy stood her ground, stating that if I wasn’t allowed, she’d simply leave—so they begrudgingly let me stay. When we arrived, they presented Chrissy with a "selection" of items, but it was painfully obvious that it was the same generic assortment given to every other client in the session. Nothing about it reflected her personal style or her loyalty as a seven-year customer of the brand. They hadn’t even bothered to reference her purchase history to tailor the selection—a simple step that could have elevated the experience.

Frustrated, we immediately handed the items back and explained what we were actually looking for. As Chrissy tried on pieces, I couldn’t help but notice the way the staff interacted with the other women in the session. The "stylists" offered nothing more than empty compliments, telling everyone they looked amazing regardless of whether the clothes fit properly or not. Meanwhile, I watched women try on pieces that were too big, too small, or gaped in all the wrong places. It was clear they just wanted to hear that they looked good, but what they truly needed was honest feedback and guidance.

Chrissy knew exactly what I was thinking as I watched this unfold. She could see it on my face, and I could see the disappointment on hers. But I held my tongue. When we left that day, I couldn’t shake the thought that every single person in that session deserved better. That was the moment I realized: if I wanted to see a change, I needed to make it happen.

The Birth of Style Shyft

Style Shyft was born out of the belief that everyone deserves to feel confident and empowered by their wardrobe. It’s about providing more than just clothes—it’s about creating an experience that’s personal, honest, and uplifting. This past year has been dedicated to building a service that prioritizes size inclusivity, honest feedback, and confidence-building for everyone, no matter where they are in their style journey.

Looking Ahead

As I reflect on this journey, I’m filled with gratitude for the lessons, challenges, and moments that have brought me here. Style Shyft isn’t just a business; it’s a movement to redefine how we think about style and to ensure that no one ever leaves a fitting room feeling less than their best. Let’s create a world where everyone can find their style and feel amazing in the process.

This is just the beginning. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us, and I’m thrilled to have you along for the ride.