Have your own personal stylist right in your pocket
Rachel Bashala is the founder and CEO of MyStylist App
Tell me how you came up with MyStylist App and how it works.
One day after work, when I was still employed full-time, I only had 15 minutes to change and leave the house.
There was no one at home to give me feedback on my outfit.
At that moment I wished that I had a stylist or, even better, an app with a stylist on the go.
I did some research and found that there was no such app on the market — this is how MyStylist App came about.
MyStylist App provides style and fashion advice that would otherwise be provided by an in-person stylist interaction. This is done by connecting users with a stylist for fashion and style advice.
MyStylist App connects you for free with a stylist on demand for a real-time chat.
It’s easy, fast and convenient. MyStylist App is your personal stylist in your pocket.
What is your target market for the app?
The current target market is young professionals between 25 and 35. The future target market will be students between 18 and 25.
What is your background, and how did you end up doing what you do now?
My background is in banking. I have more than seven years’ experience working for one of South Africa’s big banks.
Even though I loved working at the bank, I was not fulfilled in the role because it was too restrictive.
The job did not allow me the freedom to creatively express myself, so I decided to look for something that really mattered. My love for style, fashion and innovation prompted me to develop the app.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
As a young girl I wanted to be a writer. I love storytelling, creating my own story and sharing it with the world.
As a typical young girl I also wanted to be an air hostess, because of the glamour that comes with it.
What do you find most meaningful in the work you do?
What I find most meaningful in my work is the journeys users take us through on their style quest, and also the conversations with users, and hearing how happy they are when we are able to help them with their fashion needs.
What work would you do if you couldn’t do what you do now?
I would work in a creative space. Innovation allows me to show my creativity in different ways.
What advice would you give to young people wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Be resilient and never give up on your dream.
Know your strengths and weaknesses. The entrepreneurial journey is a hard one, but it’s rewarding too.
MyStylist App provides style and fashion advice