Laura Jordan is selling confidence in comfortable clothing
A year-long career break gave Laura Jordan the space to explore whether a personal passion could become a viable business.
Speaking on the Business Plus Talks podcast, in association with Philip Lee LLP, Jordan reflects on her journey from primary school teacher to fashion style consultant and entrepreneur.
Jordan explains how managing a classroom of five-year-olds proved unexpectedly valuable preparation for a career advising clients from all walks of life.
Her first year in business, however, presented a challenge: earnings of just €12,000 prompted her accountant to suggest returning to teaching. Instead, Jordan chose to persevere.
She founded StyleSavvy in 2013, a fashion style consultancy that she has grown alongside lecturing commitments.
The business focuses on helping clients build confidence through personal style, without pushing them beyond their comfort zones.
Jordan notes that the work is as much about understanding people as it is about fashion, describing stylists as part therapist, part fashion expert.
Before offering any wardrobe advice, Jordan takes time to understand each client’s background and motivations.
“The job of a good stylist is to make sure the client feels happy and confident,” she says.
Like many first-time entrepreneurs, Jordan admits she initially lacked financial know-how, joking that she didn’t know “what a good spreadsheet or tax return looked like.”
With support from advisers and, at times, her own clients, she learned to navigate the business challenges.
Marketing remains one of the biggest hurdles. Many clients prefer discretion and are reluctant to publicly acknowledge professional help with their style.
Jordan recalls instances where clients introduced her as a relative or friend when meeting acquaintances.
“A lot of clients don’t want other people to know that they don’t have the perceived ability to dress themselves well,” she explains.
During the conversation, Jordan also discusses the growth of the business, the opportunities and risks posed by AI, and her plans to embrace new technologies.
With offerings spanning personal style consultations and B2B work—including a recent fashion show for Philip Lee LLP—she outlines why demand for StyleSavvy continues to rise.
Laura Jordan appearing on Business Plus Talks podcast.
Jordan is the sixth guest in the first season of Business Plus Talks, following Bobby Healy, Ian Madigan, Ken Bowles, Pierre Boutin and David McKernan.
The pilot series, in association with Philip Lee LLP, explores key themes across tax and finance, law and regulation, cybersecurity and technology, manufacturing and industry, and sustainability and ESG.
