“There was tons of insecurity along the way. You know, I’m still insecure,” Rachel Zoe, the Co-CEO Rachel Zoe, Inc. and Founder and Editor-at-Large of The Zoe Report, told us in the latest episode of our CF Office Hours podcast. And while it may be hard to believe that one of the most well-known women in the fashion industry ever experienced self-doubt, Zoe has had her share of challenges on her path to success. So how exactly did she overcome her fears and go on to create such a successful career? College Fashionista founder Amy Levin sat down with Rachel to find out.
I literally closed my eyes and held my nose and jumped, and the rest is history.
“The only thing that really solves insecurity is experience,” Rachel told us. She is a firm believer that hard work pays off—and clearly, that belief has held true for her. While she started out as a fashion assistant at YM Magazine right out of college, she moved up the ranks to become a senior editor at the publication in just a few years. But for Rachel, that wasn’t enough. At the age of 25, she moved into the world of freelance styling. “I literally closed my eyes and held my nose and jumped,” she explained, “and the rest is history.” However, through her styling career, she was slowly preparing for another: becoming a designer. And in 2011, she launched her first collection—a huge new step that presented its own set of challenges for Rachel. However, she said she knew it was the right transition for her—and it’s that kind of “trust your gut” mentality that has helped her navigate so successfully through her career. After all, she told us that one of her biggest pieces of advice is, “You should follow what feels right at the time. And if the tide shifts a little bit, just roll with it.”
You should follow what feels right at the time. And if the tide shifts a little bit, just roll with it.
Want to hear more of her advice? Listen in to our convo with Rachel on iTunes, and then leave a comment below on what you want to hear next on CF Office Hours! Rachel also just launched the Summer edition of her Box of Style and is offering our readers an exclusive discount! Use cfashionista25 for $25 off your first Box of Style. (New subscribers only, expires 6/30)
What career advice do you want us to tackle on the next episode of CF Office Hours? Tell us in the comments!
