S7 E4: How a former M&S and Amazon Buyer turned her fashion career into a personal styling business, with Alex Stanley

We’re so excited to welcome Alex Standley to the podcast this week! 

Alex has spent over 15 years navigating the high-stakes, fast-paced world of fashion buying at global giants like Marks & Spencer and Amazon - from trend-spotting and category strategy to negotiating those all-important big meetings. 

After a successful career in buying, Alex made a bold leap into entrepreneurship and founded her own personal styling company, helping high-performing women align their wardrobes with their leadership goals, confidence, and visibility. Basically, turning closets into a strategy for success. 

Alex and Lynsey first met when they were both buying for the fashion accessories department at M&S - so it’s extra fun to have her on the podcast sharing all her stories!

In this episode, we chat about how she first knew fashion buying was her thing, her career journey and the highs, lows, and unexpected twists along the way, the categories she loved buying most, the challenges she faced, the brands she’s currently admiring, why she started her styling business, and her proudest moments since. Along the way, Alex shares memorable travel stories, insights on sustainability, the transition from corporate to running her own business, and the moments that really shaped her career.

Three big takeaways: 

Three Key Takeaways:

1. Embrace Change and Growth: Alex’s career demonstrates the value of stepping out of your comfort zone, whether it’s taking on unexpected responsibilities early in your career or making bold moves into new industries and entrepreneurship.
2. Align Your Work With Your Values: She also proves how aligning your work with your values-  whether it’s sustainability, intentionality, or empowering women- can guide your career and business decisions.
3. Relationships and Adaptability Matter: And finally, she reminds us that relationships and adaptability matter: from negotiating deals to learning new skills, success is all about strong connections and being open to learning.

Alex demonstrates the power of embracing change and growth, showing how stepping out of your comfort zone early (and later!) can lead to amazing opportunities. Whether you’re curious about the inner workings of fashion buying, thinking about a career pivot, or looking for inspiration to bring more purpose to your work, this episode is full of practical wisdom, personal stories, and actionable advice.