Before we dive into today’s conversation, I want to take a minute to thank Nourish Move Love for sponsoring this episode.
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Episode Snapshot
- Ellie’s background and the red thread between branding and personal style
- Burnout, people-pleasing, and realizing the “pinnacle” wasn’t it
- Creating space, redefining success, and the power of the ideal day exercise
Why style is identity, not trends - Style rules, self-sabotage, and dressing for credibility
- How style impacts energy, confidence, and productivity (especially working from home)
- Trends, decision fatigue, and finding your style “true north”
- Ellie’s process, mindset work, and working virtually
- Boundaries, building a business your way, and final takeaways
Why Style Is About More Than Clothes
Style as Personal Branding From the Inside Out
In today’s episode, I sit down with stylist and personal brand expert Ellie Steinbrink for a conversation that goes far beyond fashion. Ellie’s background is rooted in branding and marketing, and after spending 20 years building brands for Fortune 500 companies, she realized something was deeply off.
What makes Ellie’s work so powerful is that she doesn’t approach style as something superficial or trend-driven. She sees it as identity made visible. The way you dress isn’t just about how others see you — it directly impacts how you feel, how you lead, and how confidently you show up in your career.
When style is aligned, it becomes a performance enhancer, not a distraction.
Burnout, Perfectionism, and Losing Yourself Along the Way
When the “Top” of the Ladder Doesn’t Feel Like Success
Ellie shares honestly about reaching what she thought was the pinnacle of her corporate career — director-level leadership — only to realize she was burned out, exhausted, and deeply disconnected from herself. As a perfectionist and recovering people-pleaser, she followed the praise, promotions, and external validation without stopping to check whether the path actually aligned with her values.
This is something I see all the time with high-performing women. We’re rewarded for overworking, for saying yes, for pushing through — until our body or intuition forces us to slow down.
Ellie’s pivot wasn’t a dramatic overnight leap. It was a series of intentional steps toward more space, more freedom, and ultimately, more self-trust.
The Missing Link Between Confidence and What You Wear
How Style Rules Quietly Hold Women Back
One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is how Ellie breaks down the unspoken style “rules” many women follow, especially in corporate and professional environments.
Rules like:
- Black equals credibility
- Standing out is risky
- Patterns or color aren’t professional
- Blending in keeps you safe
These rules often lead women to abandon themselves in the name of fitting in. You may look polished on the outside, but internally, you feel muted or disconnected — like you’re performing instead of leading.
True confidence doesn’t come from following rules. It comes from alignment.
Why Trends Are Exhausting (and What Actually Works)
Finding Your Style True North
If shopping feels overwhelming or joyless, you’re not alone. Ellie explains how today’s nonstop trend cycle creates decision fatigue and keeps women stuck in comparison mode.
Instead of chasing trends, Ellie encourages women to establish a style true north — a clear understanding of what energizes you, reflects your personality, and aligns with your values.
Once you have that foundation, trends become optional. Getting dressed becomes simpler. And your closet starts to work for you instead of against you.
Style, Energy, and Daily Performance
Dressing With Intention — Even When No One Is Watching
We also talk about how style impacts energy, productivity, and focus — especially for women who work from home. What you wear sends a signal to your brain. Dressing with intention helps you step into a role, create boundaries, and show up with clarity.
Just like movement fuels your energy — something I see firsthand through workouts like Nourish Move Love — what you wear can either support or drain your performance.
Style becomes a daily ritual that reinforces confidence and leadership.
Building a Business (and a Closet) That Aligns With You
Doing It Your Way
Ellie shares how she built her styling business intentionally — working virtually, focusing on mindset before shopping, and refusing to follow industry norms that didn’t align with her energy.
Her advice applies far beyond fashion: you don’t have to do it the way everyone else does. When you build your business, your career, or your personal brand in a way that honors your values, burnout becomes far less likely.
Alignment creates sustainability.
Final Takeaway: Style Is a Leadership Tool
This episode is a reminder that style isn’t about impressing others — it’s about expressing who you truly are. When what you wear reflects who you are becoming, you show up with more confidence, clarity, and presence.
If you’ve been feeling disconnected from your wardrobe, overwhelmed by trends, or unsure how to dress for the season you’re in, this conversation will help you see style as a tool for alignment — not another thing to “fix.”
How to Connect with Ellie Steinbrink
You can find Ellie and learn more about her virtual styling work and personal branding approach through the links in the show notes. If this conversation resonated, I highly encourage you to explore her work.
Thank you for being here — and I’ll see you next week on the podcast.
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