DCFunemployment: Tell the people – Who are you?

Courtney Rae O’Neal of Courted!  “More than fashion – it’s a Lifestyle”.  Courted! is a personal styling service and fashion blog. At Courted! we help clients through personal shopping and mobile services to enhance or develop and execute their personal style.

DCF: What does being funemployed mean to you & what was your path to funemployment?

CO:  Funemployed means doing what you love. And that path for me is still being written…stay tuned.

DCF: Who was your first cheerleader?

CO:  Two of my former coworkers, I’d have to say, as each individual encouraged me to pursue different aspects of the business.

DCF: What experiences in your life prepared you for where you are now?

CO:  I believe that working in politics has benefited me as a business owner, because it has made me very resourceful.

DCF: Where do you get your inspiration and/or motivation?

CO:  Creativity. My own and other people’s. The circle of inspiration! (DCF: It’s important to have those people around you that fill you up!)

DCF: What does balance mean to you and how do find balance?

AO:  Balance to me means having the ability to not spend 90% of your time devoted to one person, at one place or doing one thing.

Balance is EVERYTHING.

DCF: What sacrifices did you have to make to get here?

AO:  I have just invested a lot of time, money, myself and now the buy-in of others.

DCF: What struggles have you faced as a women in your industry?

AO:  I think all stylists face the challenge of being taken seriously in their profession, but I am not working on just my individual reputation, as much as constantly working on developing a business brand. This feat has a learning curve, as well as natural challenges that anyone faces as they embark upon something new. Otherwise I find that in general, women shopping for themselves are more challenging as clients than men, but are more supportive as consumers and followers.

DCF: What is the early advice you didn’t listen to that you wish you had?

AO:  I really try to live without regrets, thus I may best be able to answer this by saying that perhaps I wish I had started Courted! sooner.

DCF: What was your greatest failure and what did you learn from it?

AO:  I have no specific answer. Each failure teaches you not to make the same mistake twice. We fail to fail better the next time.

DCF: What is your proudest moment?

AO:  Mmmm…. I’d have to say launch of Courted!’s site and the personal private wins for Courted! that no one else knows, except a few close Courted! insiders.

DCF: What’s next?

AO:  Courted! has recently extended its arm to design and released the “”BEEN WOKE”” t-shirt line. These Courted! exclusively designed tees for men & women feature the statement “”Been Woke Since”” and a select year or phrase.  The founder of Courted! is a contributor to Capitol Standard Magazine.

Follow on Instagram or Twitter: @CourtedStyle