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1. Who is Charlene Lawson?
I’m a businesswoman, scientist, woman of faith, and single mom of two sons.
Originally from a small town in Warrenton, VA, I moved to Houston 5 years ago to pursue a career as a chemist in the Oil and Gas industry.
2. How did you become a PhD Chemist?
I got my first job at age 17 in the pharmacy at CVS. I fell in love with the work and decided to pursue a B.S. in Chemistry and then apply to pharmacy school.
After earning the B.S., two things happened: 1) I didn’t get into pharmacy school and 2) I was offered a full scholarship through NASA to pursue the PhD in chemistry.
The full scholarship included a monthly stipend and flexibility that pharmacy school didn’t offer so instead of reapplying to pharmacy school I went ahead and pursued the PhD program.
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3. How did you transition into entrepreneurship?
I’ve always had a love affair with fashion. I was a “diva” as a child and voted best dressed in high school.
But, I was also a teen mother at the age of 14. So instead of finishing high school and moving to NY to pursue fashion, I took a more traditional route and pursued a career in STEM.
Note: I was a bright student, took all AP classes, graduated from high school with a 4.2 GPA summa cum laude and excelled in math and science.
While working as a chemist in Corporate America, I met so many accomplished women who were confident in their professional skills but struggling with personal style.
Since I was always into fashion, I showed up to work every day in heels, feminine attire, and something new every day LoL.
My colleagues would always ask me where I got this and that and some even asked me to go shopping with them so they too could feel confident and look like the boss women they really were.
So I did just that. I cleaned out a few closets and went shopping with my colleagues (just for fun). Seeing their confidence shift from a 5 to 10 and realizing how much I truly enjoyed not only fashion but empowering women to be the best version of themselves, I knew I had to fulfill my passion for fashion!
So I earned a certification in Personal Styling and launched my company Style Chemistry Consulting, where we have fashion down to a science 🙂
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4. What resources, organizations, or networks have helped you to grow your business?
Resources: Social media (Facebook and Instagram) + word of mouth (many of my referrals come from my clients)
Organizations: Non-profits who supported the development of young ladies started reaching out for me to share my story with their students. I do a lot of speaking on personal image and the importance of dressing for the job you want, how to look professional and stylish, etc.
Also, women-owned and women-only organizations have helped to grow my business tremendously. I set up vendor tables at conferences for professional women and also speak at these events.
I also blog for the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce on cultivating professional style and dressing for success.
5. What advice do you have for women who want to combine their education and passion or start a business from scratch?
I think the first step is to be real with yourself – what are you truly passionate about AND what do you seem to do effortlessly (that you enjoy) that others may struggle with?
I find that many of us pursue degrees and careers to impress others or because it’s what we’re “supposed to do”.
After working 5 years in Corporate America, I knew that it was not my calling and that I could not fully flourish in that environment.
Pray for clarity and seek your purpose by finding your gifts and passions and if they happen to combine your education great, if not that’s completely OK too! It’s never too late to start over.
My career funded my dream… yours can too!
If you’re starting a business from scratch, the first step is to NOT overthink it! Get educated, get guidance from someone who is doing what you want to, make a plan, set a launch date, and just do it! You will learn along the way.
The goal is to simply get started and to pursue consistency NOT perfection. Also, it’s a must to know who your target audience is and to know them inside out. People buy from who they know, like, and trust.
6. Anything else?
The only thing holding you back is YOU.
Stop procrastinating and do what you know you’re called to do.
I will end with a quote, “You can have anything you want in life, if you dress for it”. – Edith Head
Dr. Charlene Lawson
CEO & Lead Stylist
www.stylechemistryconsulting.com
Book your complimentary style consult HERE
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