Stitching to Styling - Kylie Rowan chats about her journey from design to non-profit styling

In this episode of Bubbles and Benevolence, we are joined by the inspiring Kylie Rowan, founder of Styling Station, a not-for-profit styling boutique in Brisbane. With a unique pay-it-forward giving model, Styling Station offers personalised styling services to help individuals feel confident and comfortable in their own skin. Join us as we dive into Kylie's journey, exploring the story behind her innovative idea, the challenges she faced starting a not-for-profit, and the incredible talents she possesses. Get ready to be inspired and empowered as we chat with the amazing Kylie Rowan.

If you want to get help with your personal style you can book a styling session or get a membership here.

Has the espresso martini talk got your mouth watering? You can view and shop their range of ready to go cocktails here. Personally we can't wait to get our hands on some margaritas! 

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Transcript

[00:00:00] Jaimi: Welcome to Bubbles and Benevolence, the podcast where we pop the bubbles to success and dive deep into the benevolent hearts of those who have achieved it. In this podcast, we'll sit down with successful business leaders, philanthropists, nonprofit workers, and more to discuss their journeys, the lessons they've learned along the way, and how they're using their success to make a positive impact on the world.

[00:00:21] So grab a glass of bubbles and join us as we explore the intersection of business and benevolence. And discover what it truly means to be 

[00:00:29] successful

[00:00:40] Today we are thrilled to have Kylie Rowan, the visionary behind Brisbane's one of a kind styling, boutique styling station as our guest. With the pay it forward giving model, styling Station offers personalized styling services to help you feel confident and comfortable in your own skin. In this episode, we'll uncover the story behind Kylie's innovative idea for styling station, the challenges she faced, starting a not-for-profit, and even discover some hidden talents that she possesses.

[00:01:10] So sit back, relax, and join us as we chat with the incredible Kylie Rowan on bubbles and benevolence. 

[00:01:18] Marisa: Kylie, thank you so much for giving up your time to come and join us on our episode of Bubbles and Benevolence. And it's just thrilling for us to have you here today. So thank you 

[00:01:27] Kylie: so much. Well, thank you for having me.

[00:01:29] Marisa: Pleasure. And we've got a wonderful story to share today, but more importantly, we asked you bring some. Some bubbles, something that you like. And tell us about what you've chosen to bring today. 

[00:01:39] Kylie: Well I didn't have a favorite bubbles, so I thought I'd share my favorite cocktail instead. And so this is espresso martini.

[00:01:46] Definitely my favorite because I love coffee. Add some liquor to it. We can't go wrong. And it's always just enjoyable and I love it. So that's definitely my. Why faith? 

[00:01:56] Marisa: Well, we managed to find, because we're all very busy working women these days, we thought we might do a little shortcut and we managed to go to the local bottle shop and find Archie Rose has put out some like shortcut, espresso martinis, love it.

[00:02:11] And these really cute little cans. So we are gonna try this. I think we have to shake up the bottle for 20 seconds, is that correct? Yes. I think that's what the instruction said. I'm not sure if I'm timing this. Correctly, but I'm partial to martini as well. Also a coffee lover. We're all coffee lovers at Heworth 

[00:02:30] Kylie: house 

[00:02:32] Marisa: and it seems appropriate for us on the end of the weekday, and I think they say open slowly and carefully.

[00:02:39] Okay. I think you're pointing that towards me. I'm not so sure that's. It's the right thing to do. Okay, well there's a few bubbles coming, but let's see how it comes out. And we didn't have martini glasses, so we've got the big goblets, but I think the effect will be the same. It's got a froth on the top.

[00:02:55] Smells really good. And we actually do work a bit with Archie Roses particularly through the Brisbane Festival. Our relationship at Haworth House. So I didn't know they did this, so let's have a try and see what it is. Like. Cheers and welcome. Oh, that's a really not bad. I'm not sure the ones I make are as good as that one.

[00:03:14] Oh, that is an excellent, excellent. Suppose so Martini. It really is. Okay. That's to our collection. So that's. Sets the whole, I think, conversation off on a beautiful track. It gives us energy as well being coffee and all, I'm sure. So Kylie, we're thrilled that you could come because we really wanted to share your story.

[00:03:33] Heworth has had a lovely relationship the last 12 months or so working with what you've formed as a wonderful company. So let's go back though. Your life has been in fashion, I think, for quite some time. So tell us about how you fell into it, how you got in. By by. Tell us a bit about your story and how you've come to be at styling station today.

[00:03:52] Kylie: Sure. Well, I, when I look back, I can see that everything I did has led to styling station really. I first started in a a fashion degree. But I found that the sewing was not for me in the back room. Sewing little samples just was not for me. I was much more of a people person. So I moved into the visual merchandising space.

[00:04:12] I was, I've always been a creative person and that, that really inspired me to yeah, really dig in on what really suits people and what works for them. And before sailing station I worked for a not-for-profit and dressed for success. Suited to success here in Brisbane. And that's where styling station really came about because I could see there was just such a need and there was, there was no one meeting that, that market.

[00:04:38] So I, I found that right through my career, everything has. Given me the skills to end up where I am with I think with what I, what I need to, to be successful. I 

[00:04:48] Marisa: don't think that's what we're finding out as a common theme talking to people, is that sometimes the passion is the thing that leads people to do the next thing.

[00:04:55] So as a child, did you like fashion 

[00:04:58] Kylie: from a young age? I did. I grew up in the eighties, so I had the bubble skirts in the, in the rah rah skirts. So always loved color, always loved fashion. Kylie Ook was my, my first tape that I got. I'm pretty sure I had one of the hats with the whole cutout. So yes I, I've always loved fashion and and I, I love to see it evolve and then come back around.

[00:05:21] Marisa: Did you get that from your mom or anyone in your family that kind of had gra 

[00:05:26] Kylie: My gra was always very fashionable and had the matching belts and the handbags and, and I used to love playing in her closet and her earrings and yeah, it was definitely, actually both my, my grandmas were very fashionable and very elegant 

[00:05:40] Marisa: ladies.

[00:05:41] So did they make their own clothes? 

[00:05:44] Kylie: N not that I know of. They may have been their earlier date. But by the time I, I came along, they, they didn't but they always had a, just a very keen sense of style and everything was very classic and well fitted and showed their shape. And I think that's, Where I was inside.

[00:06:02] And 

[00:06:02] Marisa: so you obviously played dress up quite a lot, I guess, as a young girl. Yes, I did. And and I, I always like to look back on my teenage daughter and there was a couple of, you know, tragic fashion moments. Did you have a few of those? Is there one that you can remember more than any other that perhaps gave you the inkling that you might like to do that again in a different way as an older person?

[00:06:24] We've all got those stories. The Fluro. 

[00:06:27] Kylie: The Fluro was one that I, that I regretted. And the hairstyles. I remember going to school one day with a big slicked up hairstyle. My fringe pasted right up. It was for photo day. And so I forever looked back at that photo. 

[00:06:41] Marisa: Why was I thinking, did you think that was very fashionable?

[00:06:43] I thought, and you had to fabulous. Or did your parents just. They, she just wanted to stand out from the crowd with that one. Oh, 

[00:06:49] Kylie: I think, I think they just let me do what I wanted to do, but yeah, 

[00:06:52] Marisa: I definitely look back and regret that one. So it sounds like you were destined for a career in the fashion sector from a very, very early age.

[00:06:59] So I would love to hear a bit more about, I, I don't, I, I know that we've heard about. Suited for success, dress for Success. So tell us about their their, you know, kudos, why they existed. They play a wonderful, important role in the 

[00:07:11] Kylie: community. Mm-hmm. They absolutely do. Really, they, they exist dress for Success is really for women.

[00:07:18] And they dress people for job interviews. So they play a really vital role in in preparing people to, to either get back into the workforce or into the workforce. Force for the first time. And so they just have a, a lovely nurturing sense to, to see people grow and, and, and move on their journey.

[00:07:37] And here in Brisbane, they, they do mean as well. So that's why it's, they're called suited to success here. And yeah, but just Utilize fashion that would've gone to waste. It's all secondhand and people donate wonderful, wonderful things to them that they can get utilized. 

[00:07:53] Marisa: And so you said that you were drawn to the not-for-profit industry, and that was, I think your segue into the not-for-profit.

[00:08:00] Mm-hmm. It was how did you get that job and what attracted you to. Work in the not-for-profits 

[00:08:06] Kylie: sector? Well, I first started volunteering there. I just gave up my time because I believed in, in what they were doing. And from there I very quickly got a role and became a social enterprise manager there.

[00:08:16] And I, but I just saw that there was so much more that actually the community needed. So while they are fabulous and do an amazing job, but that's one segment of the market. And so that's, that's how styling station came about too, to, to broaden that and actually reach more in the 

[00:08:32] Marisa: community. So that's a, a lovely entree into talking about this amazing initiative called Styling Station.

[00:08:40] Mm-hmm. So, talk to us about how were you inspired to go out and create something new? Cause it's challenging to start a new business of any description, particularly in a, the fashion space. And to the charitable space. Both of them are challenging industries. You couldn't have chosen two more challenging industries and whacked them together.

[00:08:59] So tell us, you know, how did that start? We want to hear that journey. How did it start? 

[00:09:04] Kylie: It really started from my heart because Seeing women in particular, that's where my heart is struggle within themselves, struggle with who they are, their identity and how they perceive themselves and therefore how others perceive them.

[00:09:21] That is where. My heart is to build women and empower them and to to know themselves and to be who they're destined to be. I find that there's so, so much we're bombarded with so many things in the media and, and social media about who we should be or what we should look like or what the definition of beauty or success is, and I just find that Everybody carries such an inner beauty and an outer beauty that I think some fail to recognize.

[00:09:50] So it's, it's kind of become my mission to bring that out in people to just to see how wonderful that they are and embrace that and and build on that because I find that it impacts everything in their life once they believe in themselves and, and are comfortable in their own skin. So this, so this is where.

[00:10:08] Styling station has so much impact on people because we ha we have this amazing opportunity to have ladies in this safe space with this amazing wardrobe that's theirs for the hour. Where we get, we get to the, the clothing becomes almost the vessel to to build the inner. Self, the inner woman.

[00:10:28] And so we really love to teach someone to look in the mirror and just see the beautiful, amazing things about themselves and, and not pick out the, the bits that we don't like. Because that tends to be how. How we look at ourselves when we look in the mirror, we compare ourselves to what we see on social media or what we see on the front of the magazine.

[00:10:48] So for me, Starling Station is all about empowering each woman to feel beautiful. Yeah, just trust herself and trust who she is. To take her where she wants to go in life. 

[00:11:01] Marisa: So tell us, what is Starling Station? 

[00:11:05] Kylie: So Starling Station is what obviously we've already talked about. It's a not-for-profit organization.

[00:11:10] But what it is is a massive big boutique wardrobe that that we get to nurture each woman. So you have a stylist for an hour. We pick out fabulous outfits for you to try on. We'll always pick things that are a little bit different from what you would normally go for. And our whole mission is to inspire confidence and to really nurture self-esteem.

[00:11:32] So for us To get ladies to try on outfits and and see themselves in in a different light and be able to look in the mirror and actually think I am beautiful. And, and we really try to undo the narrative that actually plays in people's heads of, you know, there might be a comment from years ago or yeah, a negative repeat that is, Going round around their brains.

[00:11:56] We really work at undoing those, those myths and those lies and replacing them with positive things. So styling station is a personal styling service. A part of your styling session, you get to take home your outfit. And that, that's a makeup of three pieces. So we try to honor a whole outfit.

[00:12:14] So whether it's a dress, shoes and handbag, or a pants topping, a jacket we've got an array of. Sizes, styles, colors, all sorts of clothing. So we always find something fabulous for everybody. And you take that that outfit home and as you, every styling session pays it forward to a woman who's really doing it tough in the community.

[00:12:36] We can get that lady in and just really love on her, build her self-esteem and give her whatever clothing that she needs. So, styling stations We are partnered with lots of different organizations, community organizations like Beyond DV and Lutheran Services, multicultural Australia, Ronald McDonald House.

[00:12:53] So we get referral clients from there, and there's women that are just just falling through the cracks or just being in really tough circumstances. We are just able to give them an hour that's just all about them. And it's just a time out for them to be special, to feel nurtured. And, and the sole focus for one.

[00:13:11] I, I think as women in society, we wear so many different hats and we are juggling all these different things. So I think just having that time out for a one-on-one that's about you is super important. 

[00:13:22] Marisa: So I love the way it sounds like when you described what it was, it. Sounds like the, the incredible boutique, but it actually is an incredible boutique, but it's, it's a social good enterprise.

[00:13:32] Yes. As in you've talked about the people that can benefit from coming there, being people who perhaps are doing it hard. Yes. And perhaps don't take the time out for themselves, et cetera, but they're actually supported to be there. Yes. By. Retailers and other people who pay for a session. So you just describe that a little bit about, oh, people will be asking, you know, oh, how does that make any money to be able to enable people who can't pay to come in?

[00:13:57] So I think that's part of the story's really important and it's really a great part 

[00:14:01] Kylie: of the story. So I guess that's part of the business model of of how I set up styling station. It was, so the community supports its own community. So. All women are invited to come and have a styling session that's an hour and they take home their outfit.

[00:14:15] So people who have the means and, and can pay $110 for their styling session, which 

[00:14:20] Marisa: is nothing compared to taking home three beautiful pieces. I mean, I've taken my team, Jamie and Sophia. Yes. And we all paid because we know that that's actually going to germinate another wonderful three people coming in that's to your boutique.

[00:14:35] Who perhaps. Wouldn't be able to pay. That's, and we took three new pieces of things home. Yes. And are things I don't think that perhaps I would've ever chosen had I not had a stylist. Yes. 

[00:14:46] Kylie: See, that's the beauty of it all. All of the clothing is brand new. It's all the indice season stock and the excess stock from big retailers and Brisbane boutiques.

[00:14:54] It, so it's clothing. It's saving all that clothing from going to landfill. So that's our unique proposition is that we offer new clothing, just restoring hope and dignity to people. But that fee of $110 is such amazing value for an hour with a personal style and taking those three items home the value in, in those three items as well, beyond $110.

[00:15:16] So it's Such great value, Phil Money. That's why we have amazing return clientele. But yes, that's how then we are able to pay it forward and and, and help someone in need free of charge. It's 

[00:15:28] Marisa: an amazing concept, I think, and congratulations. I think it's incredible, but it must have been tough. A, making the decision to leave a pay job.

[00:15:36] Mm-hmm. And b, starting something that was very innovative. So tell us about that time. I mean, how were you feeling and perhaps if, if you look back now, what did you do right? What did you do wrong? Think about a young girl out there who wants to start their own business. I mean, how do you start and what did you, what did you learn along the 

[00:15:56] Kylie: way?

[00:15:57] Well, my biggest piece of advice is go for it. I think so many people are held back by fear. But if you don't give the go, you'll never know. So for me, yes, it was quite, quite a a leap of faith because I did resign from my job right in the middle of Covid. People thought I was crazy. But for me it was the right time because I just knew that there was gonna be people in a really tough situation where they were going to be deciding whether they put food on the table or they bought a new pair of shoes.

[00:16:27] So for me, I just. I just felt it was the right time and I thought, I'm just gonna go for this. What's the worst thing that can happen? It fails and I find another job, so, but, but for me being passionate about it was what was the driving force? Cuz I don't think you can actually do anything well with it if you're not passionate about it, cuz there is definitely gonna be those tough days and that's what gets you through those tough days.

[00:16:50] Is being passionate and and seeing the result and the outcome of what you're going for. How did you even get the idea? I got the idea while I was at Suit to Success because I. There was so much resource spent on sorting secondhand clothing, then talk to us 

[00:17:08] Marisa: about that. Yes. Our labels on the lawn and we can give you inevitable.

[00:17:12] I mean, almost the volunteers go, oh no. Another sorting day. Yeah. So yes, we know how passionately you have to be to sort secondhand clothes out. You do. You do. 

[00:17:21] Kylie: And, and, and I'm sure that you were done find the same things. There's some people donate some amazing, amazing items. There's some other items that.

[00:17:31] The, they probably shouldn't have come. And, and and then it just takes a whole lot more time to, to actually sort through those. So, but while I was there, I, I just, I started developing fashion partners where I knew there was new brand new stock that was going to waste. And I think we've all seen those documentaries.

[00:17:47] Mm-hmm. Now, the big piles of textile waste that, that are quite often sent overseas to other countries and things. So I just thought actually, how can I do. My little bit for sustainability. I'm passionate about fashion and I wanna see it utilized and not end up as a massive environmental impact.

[00:18:04] So yeah, developing these fashion partners where I knew I could take this new stock and actually do something effective with it that's really gonna impact people is. Is how the idea came about. And, and yeah, what I've, what I continue to pursue and to keep getting more fashion partners on board.

[00:18:21] So how 

[00:18:21] Marisa: did you think about funding? How did you think 

[00:18:24] Kylie: about did 

[00:18:25] Marisa: you always have a boutique in mind? Do you, is there was a consideration about, you know, how you were gonna get your message out? How did you face, cause you were quite new in all of this, of know you had experience. And their fundamentals are a new business, isn't it?

[00:18:40] Kylie: Yes. No, I always knew that I wanted to have a boutique cuz I wanted a nice, safe space. I did consider, you know, could I go to, to other places and actually help people with clothing. But for me it was I thought there a really important factor was having a beautiful, safe space where people felt important and, and.

[00:19:02] And, and nurtured and valuable. So that's what set it apart from actually just, you know, sort of going to a shelter or going to somewhere where there are people in need. But I wanted to create that experience for women that. The, they're really valuable. And they deserve this beautiful, nurturing experience in a, in a really lovely environment.

[00:19:23] So that's, that's why I, I headed down that path and, and I will always stay with that because I just find that that is a really important factor in how people feel. 

[00:19:32] Marisa: And so what was the hardest thing for you? 

[00:19:35] Kylie: Probably the. The financial and governance side because I'm naturally a, a creative person, so I like making everything look pretty and, and you know, and I love interacting with people, but bit more of the paperwork side and the rules and the regulations.

[00:19:50] That's the part that that I found a little bit harder. But I know my limitations and I'm not afraid to ask for help. I. Certainly know that I don't know everything. So I've just got a wonderful team on board where someone had knowledge in a certain area and then I pick their brain or I get them to help me do that, or I put them in charge of doing that.

[00:20:09] And I, and I, that's how the team works so well. We all have our attributes that that we are good at. And so that's where we, we sit in the pocket and, and do that well. And in 

[00:20:18] Marisa: this era when corporate governance is so important, and I think even, I would hesitate to say almost more important in the not-for-profits.

[00:20:29] Sector because I think a lot of the not-for-profit sector is often people who feel passionately and engaged socially and in a responsible way and are not often business people themselves when they first start out. When you follow your heart, sometimes you haven't got the heads. Space. I mean, a lot of passionate people aren't necessarily great at maths, for instance, or, and vice versa.

[00:20:52] Yes. So I think getting a good group of people around you, what you're talking about is incredibly important. And I know Dr. Bridget Cullen is your chair Yes. Of your board. But I'd love to hear about how did you choose the people that you thought would most. To be able to lead the thinking of the organization to respond to your passionate energy.

[00:21:13] Mm-hmm. Yes. And what is the makeup of the people that you trust look like around your board? I think there's about six or so, 

[00:21:20] Kylie: is that right? Yes, that's right. So how do you know what you need? Well, I was really blessed to come across Bridget. I had a client who was very passionate about what we were doing and and in the business world, And she actually recommended Bridget.

[00:21:33] So I was very grateful for an insight into someone that would be actually really appropriate for styling Station, has the knowledge the background and and, and has the passion as well. And I think 

[00:21:43] Marisa: she had a bit of a background in migration and refugees. Yes. Is that correct? Is that, was that important to you or?

[00:21:50] Kylie: Yes. Because I felt all the people on the board, I've really chosen people that had a heart. That's what I avoid all my team members, is that their heart is in the right place, that they're there for the right reason. I certainly didn't want anyone on the board that was there for a, a tick on their resume.

[00:22:08] For me it was definitely about being there for the right reasons and, and actually for the good and styling station. So Bridget has been, Absolutely amazing. We have a treasurer who is highly overqualified for styling station. She's a forensic auditor. But another one that was a client that came through and offered her services and she is just fabulous.

[00:22:30] And so for me, the finances are really not my forte. So I love that that Alex. Is just all over it and I can leave it in her hands and feel very happy with that. The other two board members I've got one is actually a director of Styling Station as well, and she was a stylist that was with me at Suit to Success.

[00:22:51] Oh, nice. And she came over with me. She's been loyal, passionate, amazing. For all of these years. And so I've put Kathy in a place of directorship and on the board because she has just a fabulous background of teaching and caring and nurturing for people. And she has a wealth of knowledge in lots of different places.

[00:23:11] And my other board memory is Lynn and she has a background in looking after people with a disability. And she just has this most beautiful nature about her that you can't help but love her to pieces. And I've even had some stylists that have had some their own children that have had autism and a few different issues.

[00:23:30] And Lynn goes and takes those children out to give the mom a break. And these children have never met Lynn before and they're happy to go off with her and and you know, and, and have some time out. And I just think that is just a. Credit to who this lady is inside. These children just immediately trust her.

[00:23:46] And and she just does the goodness of her heart. So I've, I've got a beautiful team that just has expertise and skills in different areas that that all contribute to you know, who we really target and respond to and, and want to help at Diamond Station. 

[00:24:01] Marisa: And I noticed that they're all women.

[00:24:03] Yes. And is that a conscious. 

[00:24:06] Kylie: Decision. Yes. Yes it is. Because the boutique is a safe space for women. Generally we don't have men in Stalin station at all, and that's, I love men. There's nothing, I have nothing against men. I just find that if there is a woman that has come from domestic violence or any sort of torture or trauma, I just find that it's a much safer space for her when it's just all women and very uplifting and environment for her.

[00:24:31] Marisa: So we might just have a little chat soon about perhaps volunteers. Sure. 

[00:24:39] Jaimi: Hey there, listeners, before we jump back into our chat with Kylie, we wanted to remind you that labels on the lawn is coming up in just five months. So now's the perfect time to do an autumn wardrobe cleanout and donate your designer clothes to this amazing event.

[00:24:54] From May 2nd to May 12th, excluding weekends and public holidays will be accepting donations from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Just drop off your donations at Becko Medical on the corner of 105 Main Street Kangaroo Point, and make sure to leave your contact details to be the first to know when labels on the lawn tickets go on sale.

[00:25:14] Thanks for supporting this great cause, and we'll jump right back into our interview with Marisa and Kylie. 

[00:25:21] Marisa: So I got the impression from you Kylie, that styling station is a big enterprise and obviously a small, passionate heart that goes with building it and providing the service, but you know, it's a big service to provide.

[00:25:38] So how do you manage to do everything you need to do with the people that both book in to come for a styling session and also the people that you voluntarily give those styling sessions to? How do you man that, so to speak, or woman it maybe is a better term in this, in this case, 

[00:25:55] Kylie: a team of amazing volunteers is, is how we do it.

[00:25:59] I have I think almost 20 volunteers now that are passionate women that have heart to see others succeed. So the only way that Starling Station runs is. Cause of these beautiful women, they give up their time each week to just come and nurture somebody else. And and we have a bit of fun why we do it as well.

[00:26:19] You know, we are really enjoy each other's company. So not only do they style the clients and and you know, make styling station run so effectively. We get together and try and, and close ourselves and, and have a bit of playtime and, and a little bit of downtime for our, for our stylists too, to a moment out of their ordinary lives as well.

[00:26:37] So I find that all of my volunteers often say to me, it's the highlight of their week to come. So cuz I think there's something really important in giving. I think we actually gain so much more from ourselves when we give. And 

[00:26:51] Marisa: so how did you find your volunteers? 

[00:26:54] Kylie: Oh, array of different areas, but mostly word of mouth and somebody knowing someone or they've come in as a client and then have asked about how could they contribute, how could they help styling station.

[00:27:07] So normally it is definitely through Any interaction and engagement of some sort where I can see somebody's heart and I can see their motivation. And that's what I look for. 

[00:27:17] Marisa: But sometimes hard. I mean, we, we have a great group of volunteers as well as many organizations do. Mm-hmm. And you almost.

[00:27:24] I think they give you so much, it's hard to know what you can give them back besides the the, the intrinsic nature of what they do gives a lot back. I think giving is in itself the gift Yes. That, that everyone pursues. But how do you engage and motivate your volunteers to make sure they keep giving it?

[00:27:42] I mean, you can only do so much in your life. There's so many competing things. I mean, there's this day and age, particularly people who may have a little bit of time to volunteer, might be, have aging parents. May be working part-time. So there's the challenges of work of families that are being raised, you know, children growing up.

[00:27:58] So we face it all the time. Be happy to hear about how do you, what do you do for your volunteers to keep them engaged with each other or with yourselves? So do the clothes, do the work for you? Lot of work. 

[00:28:10] Kylie: But I think, I think it's actually our team environment. Because we really pursue what Starling Station stands for, and that is uplifting each other and and supporting one another.

[00:28:22] And so I think the volunteers they, they love engaging with one another. And, and they just love the uplifting environment that's always there. The clothes are definitely a big part. We have some fun with that. And and every, all of our Volunteers pay a membership to styling station.

[00:28:37] So we all take home an outfit once a month. 

[00:28:39] Marisa: Oh, really? So tell me about that. So if, cause I'm, I'm thinking I really wanna volunteer with Starling Station. Sure. I know Jamie and Sophia both desperately want to volunteer with styling station. Love that. Cause we love you. Yes. But we also love what you do.

[00:28:51] But we also love being surrounded by these incredibly gorgeous. New clothes. And so if I came to you and said, Kylie, I wanna sign up, I wanna be a volunteer, what do I have to do? 

[00:29:00] Kylie: So you would come and I would run you through start the sessions training course. But yeah, I do ask that anyone who is interested in the clothing, which is all the volunteers that.

[00:29:10] You sign up for starting stations in Vogue membership. And that, that comes with some perks where yeah, you can take home your outfit once a month. And I just find it really helps. It's like a retail store. When you wear the clothing, it actually helps people to see how it works and how it sits on you and how you style it.

[00:29:28] So I find that a lot of the volunteers will wear their outfits. Two styling station and they love it cause they get to dress up a little bit, a little bit more than their ordinary life and be a little bit eclectic with their clothing. Step outta their comfort zone, be a bit creative with it.

[00:29:42] Yeah, and I just find it that it just creates this environment where we rock. What we wear. And so therefore it instills confidence in our clients that we know what we're talking about. And when we put them in something that's a little bit outta their comfort zone, they're actually happy to trust us because we are rocking our 

[00:29:56] Marisa: own outfit.

[00:29:57] So you, you obviously will test me on my styling ability. So I might come on a little bit of a problem child here because, but if I have no. Styling ability. Would I be rejected as a volunteer? I can teach. Oh, would I do the backend? Would I like unpack boxes and do ironing? 

[00:30:13] Kylie: Well, what I find I, I think I've already mentioned this, I look for heart in people.

[00:30:16] I can teach anybody to style, but I can't teach someone to have empathy or to how to engage with people. So that is what I look. For if if you've got a heart to really nurture someone, then I can teach you to star, but I already know you've got Star. 

[00:30:31] Marisa: Well, I'm sure some of those things may have even come from Starling.

[00:30:35] And also I love the idea of how you, the invest. In you financially, because what a great they get obviously all the outcomes, but you almost, and, and they get something out of it too in terms of their outfits, but they're actually putting their money where their heart and mouth is. It's a really wonderful concept.

[00:30:49] I really 

[00:30:50] Kylie: love that idea. We're doing the right thing by the charity as well. And of course, Nobody's taking anything for free. We're all actually contributing back into the, 

[00:30:57] Marisa: and tell me if I'm a beautiful boutique in Brisbane and may mention like Calexico or somebody else who gives to you. Why do I love dealing with you at styling station?

[00:31:07] Kylie: Because we sit apart, we sit apart from everybody else. We're not a retail space. It's an appointment only, it's a private space that's just all about you. There's no competition. I'm 

[00:31:17] Marisa: actually thinking about it, a previous episode that I was interviewing for Sharp about food and she was saying that you really should look for the food that's out the front of the food shops.

[00:31:27] Because that's the stuff that's in vogue, that's in style and it's ripe for the picking. Mm-hmm. And it's then go home and decide what you're gonna make. With that, you kind of do the same thing in the fashion space, in that this is clothes, contemporary clothing that's just coming out of that contemporary retail space that's actually been, you know, not so long harvested.

[00:31:47] Mm-hmm. And it's almost you are deciding to put on your style on the stuff that already exists. Rather than go and create something from scratch. So it kind of is a very similar story. I love that about it. So I think if we look at the future for styling station, what does it look like? And it almost is the same question, you know, what do you wanna do when you grow up?

[00:32:08] Kylie: Well, I think my, that's a bit of a two part question. So for styling station definitely expansion. It's in my bus business plan to e expand to Sydney, Melbourne, probably start a little bit closer to home Sunshine Coast, gold Coast. I think there is a need for this everywhere and I get lots of questions from people in different cities of when are you starting a styling station here.

[00:32:29] So that's definitely where styling selling station will go in the future. For me it, it will just be a careful planning because I don't wanna lose the heart and the nurture. The Museum Darling Station. And sometimes when organizations get big, some of that personalized moments disappear.

[00:32:45] And and that's not what I want at all. So it'll be very strategic, strategic when I expand into other places. Obviously have the right team on board, but what do I wanna be when I grow up? I think a writer, I always, always wanted to be a writer. So whether that's fiction or non-fiction, I'm not sure.

[00:33:03] But I've always just had a, had a heart for, for words and for the impact that you can have through a book. And I, and I feel like it's a little bit of a, a dying art, the books these days with, with podcasts and, and you know, everything so flicking through on, on social media and I, I, I like the old school books with the paper and the field and things, so 

[00:33:25] Marisa: that's what I want.

[00:33:25] And what kind of book will it be? Your first book? Mm. 

[00:33:29] Kylie: I think it would probably start with in the space that I'm passionate about and that is empowering women to believe in themselves and, and to Sit in their identity of who they are and 

[00:33:39] Marisa: what that, and so when you write this book you must do something outside the styling station cuz it sounds like it's an all-consuming passion and business.

[00:33:46] What do you do outside the styling 

[00:33:48] Kylie: station? Well, quite a few things actually. I've got a beautiful family. I've got a Brady bunch of five children. Wow, I didn't know that. Yes. So our three are mine and and my husband has two. So we've got an blended family that works really well. I am a Christian.

[00:34:05] I go to River Life Church and so I'm quite involved in that where I'm a worship artist. So I get up on stage and I paint paintings while the service is work. Wow. Which is quite, it's quite different for me. I've painted for quite a long time. But normally quite. Slowly and intricately, but in the worship art I've got half an hour to get up there and get a painting done.

[00:34:27] So it has to be definitely Holy Spirit inspired and 

[00:34:30] Marisa: and yeah, quick and sharp and oh goodness, I'd love to see one of those. Is it possible to put a picture of one of those up with the podcast? Cause I'm sure there'd be other people that'll be interested. To see what does that look like? And maybe you'll need a little explanation about it as well, perhaps.

[00:34:45] Absolutely. I've never heard of anything like that. It could be the subject of a whole new podcast, I think one day. Yes. 

[00:34:51] Kylie: Look, it's, that's the, the, the beauty of my church actually that's quite forward and and celebrates God in lots of different ways, not just music. There's dances and all sorts of things on stage that are 

[00:35:02] Marisa: worship artists.

[00:35:03] Is that what it's called? Yes. Amazing. Yes. Love to hear more about that at some stage. Thank you. So I guess that would be a lovely entree into our, we always ask our final question, which is what brings you happiness? 

[00:35:16] Kylie: Oh, oh, lots of things. Probably this is a two part as well, and I would say what really brings me happiness is having a balanced life.

[00:35:25] And so that is family, friends, work, le leisure. I think it's super important to be balanced. The other thing that really brings me joy is. Is my relationship with God because that's what brings my identity and and peace and all the things that I think the world craves and is really looking for.

[00:35:43] Most people when they think about Christianity, they think it's a whole lot of rules and regulations and religion. For me it's not, it's actually a freedom cuz it's. Just a relationship with God. And that gives me the identity and who I am and what my purpose is. Thank 

[00:35:58] Marisa: you so much for joining us today.

[00:36:00] I now know with your busy, busy schedule and five children and everything else you do and the unknowns that I didn't know you did like painting and wanting to be a writer, you definitely need some bubbles that have coffee at the heart to keep you going. So Kylie, thank you so much. We're going to, I think, give a link at the end of the podcast to where you can.

[00:36:19] Sign up as a volunteer or come and actually get your friends. I can certainly thoroughly recommend going in with a group of friends to do good by actually going to a styling station session and taking three things home, which are not kind of dictated on you what they are, but things that you genuinely look good in and having a relationship and doing good for the community at the same time, which is what this podcast is all about.

[00:36:41] So thank you so much for joining us, Kylie, and 

[00:36:43] Kylie: cheers. Cheers. Thank you for having your pleasure. 

[00:36:48] Jaimi: Thank you for joining us on Bubbles and Benevolence. We hope you enjoyed our chat with Kylie today. As usual, if you have any questions, you can send them through to podcast heworth house.com au. That's H A N W O R T h.

[00:37:06] If you love the idea of a styling session to help you find your personal style. Three brand new items and supporting women in need all for $110. Book your styling session with Kylie's team through the link in the episode description or head straight to styling station.org.au. If you enjoyed our episode today, please share rate and review all that soon with another special guest.

[00:37:33] Marisa: Cheers. Cheers.