Creating Beauty: From Model to Mom to Fashion Entrepreneur

Success wise.

I just literally pray that when I open the doors to a larger boutique that there are people who come and genuinely love the experience and then they bring family and friends and that it's just like a wonderful, like, healthy environment of, like, art and, like, beauty and people can, like, leave and look gorgeous.

Style is more than just the clothes you wear.

It's the essence of who you are and it's in everything you do.

Discover it here and unleash your style beyond what you wear.

Hey, everyone.

Welcome back to House of Style.

I'm your host, Grant Alexander, and today I'm excited to introduce you to a dear friend and an emerging talent in the fashion world, Jessica Kloss.

Jessica and I met years ago on set of a photo shoot, and we've been friends and mutual supporters ever since.

She's been a professional model, a stylist, and a designer who played a big role in helping grow the G.

Alexander brand, which was my first brand.

Now she's embarked on an exciting new venture with her own bridal design company called the river and Rose.

At House of Style, we're all about giving a platform to amazing people who are carving their own paths and making a difference through their style, even if they haven't hit it big yet or have a big following.

Jessica is one of those inspiring individuals.

With river and Rose, she's creating bespoke bridal and evening wear that's as unique as the people wearing them.

But it's more than just beautiful dresses.

She's dedicated to empowering women and expressing inner beauty through her designs.

In today's episode, we'll dive into Jessica's journey from discovering her love for art and design to modeling around the world, to taking the bold step of starting her own brand and doing all that while being an amazing mom.

We'll explore how she's going to use her personal style to grow both as a designer and entrepreneur, the challenges she's facing, and her vision for the future.

It's a story about exciting beginnings of someone who's set to make a big impact.

It's relatable, it's inspiring, and it's a glimpse into the journey of a rising star.

And before we get started, make sure to subscribe like and share the episode with someone you think will relate.

But I would really appreciate if you let a comment left a comment letting us know what you did.

Think of the episode and show also, and quickly, I want to give a big thanks to Kerry McCormick, a top luxury real estate broker from App Properties Christie's International for Letting us film in this beautiful space.

If you're listening and can't see, check out the YouTube link or visit my Instagram profile.

We're going to keep bringing you gorgeous spaces since you know, this is House of Style.

If you're interested in this incredible Chicago listing with gorgeous views of Lake Michigan and Navy Pier, Kerry's info and the link to the property are in the show notes and description.

All right, time to get comfortable and join us for a heartfelt conversation between friends and with someone you might just be hearing about for the first time, but certainly not the last.

Hi, Jess.

Hello.

It's so lovely having you on this.

Thank you.

You have been an important part of my journey starting g Alexander, way back in the day, you were one of the first people I told about the whole concept of doing wedding dressing for the guys when I first started it and showing up on the day of a wedding to help all the guys get dressed.

And you were the first and only person I thought of when I knew that I needed to have a team and more than just myself.

And, like, you've always been there for me, and I, you know, as I start this and you've supported house and style, I want to give you a chance to talk about your business because you're an amazing designer.

I don't know if I should, like, cry first or.

Whatever you want, Whatever you want.

It's fair game here.

I want to kind of get into, like, your story, and we'll eventually get to how we met and all the fun stuff since.

But start off with what.

When did you become interested in fashion, in design?

And what made you kind of choose to.

To go to design school?

Oh, gosh.

I mean, I can't do math, so I did art instead.

I love design, like, always.

I used to skip classes when I was in grade school, not knowing that that was, like, a bad thing.

And I would sneak into the art room and literally do art during band until my parents found out.

And then I was going back to band.

Back to the flute for me.

Are you still a flautist?

No.

No.

Thank God.

I should have kept that going.

They put me in the back chair, too.

Oh, no.

Yeah.

It wasn't for me.

Yeah.

I just always loved art.

And I felt most comfortable, like, most at home when I was, like, in an art room doing painting.

Doing drawing.

And I knew I loved design.

I would draw dresses for friends in high school, none of which I made, but, like, dreamt of making one day.

It took me a while to get here, though.

It's been a minute.

I had, like, a long journey.

That is often how it goes.

What matters is you got here.

Okay, so you went to school.

Tell me about school.

And.

And then what you did right after school.

So school.

I was actually doing sports at the time, which is like, kind of a strange combo, like an artsy, sportsy girl.

And I was not really pursuing art full time.

I was running D1 track, which is if anyone knows D1 athletes, that is your life is sports.

So I do three practices a day.

I would.

Sorry, mom and dad, skip some classes and sleep.

And then I would do my art projects.

Cause I would have studio time and, yeah, basically turn in all the art stuff.

Not so much the other stuff.

I only ran for a year, and then I was like, okay, I don't wanna be a professional athlete.

I wanna do art, and I don't have time to do both.

And that's the biggest thing, I think, for all of us is the dedication of time.

So I left.

I actually went D2.

And I was like, oh, I can, like, you know, best of both worlds.

Is that real?

Was it any different for track?

Oh, my God, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Cause I was like, if you're still.

Trying to do both, yeah, it was not worth it.

Like, at that point, it's like, you gotta just choose and, like, put all your might into one thing.

So I actually met my husband at Lewis University for, like, one semester, and I was like, hey, we're good with the running.

I've done my time and I just went to art school and then I just banged it out in, like, two and a half years.

I took course overload and just lived and breathed this.

Yeah.

What was your favorite course?

Oh, God.

If you had one.

If I have one.

Honestly, I really love just, like, life drawing.

I love all just, like, sitting in a quiet room and just drawing is very peaceful.

And I think sometimes, like, at least how I felt.

Like, in, like, the fashion classes, you're kind of, like, looking at some of the other kids and like, you're like, oh, am I like, is it cool what I'm doing?

Is it good what I'm doing?

But, like, life drawing is like, you just sit at your easel.

That sounds amazing.

It sounds like a fake class.

I mean.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I also took bowling and ice skating.

So, like, I took plenty of fake classes myself.

Oh, my gosh, that sounds amazing.

Yeah, it was fantastic.

What was your favorite thing you ever drew?

I don't know.

I love just figure drawing.

Like, so any, like, person, right, they come in it's like, sounds weird.

Everyone's naked.

You just draw, and it's just.

Yeah, it's cool.

Everyone's piece looks so different, so it's nice.

I think the best thing I would be able to draw, best figure I can draw is probably just like, a figure eight.

That's fine.

I think that works.

We can make that into a necklace.

People think because I design that, that means I can sketch and draw.

And, like, I've had people ask me, you know, to.

To see sketches be.

I'm like, you do not want to see my sketches.

Yeah, you're like, in here, it looks so good.

Aspen's drawings at three and a half are probably better than most of my sketches.

But it always looks good, like, in real life.

So that's what matters.

Yeah, Like, I can.

I'm going to skip the drawing part and just.

I can picture what it looks like.

And that's all.

Drawing is fickle.

Like, some days you can, like, sit down and literally be like, okay, I'm going to draw this thing.

And it looks horrendous.

And then you're like, I can't draw anymore.

I don't know what happened.

But next day you draw and you're fine.

So.

All right.

So what'd you do right after school?

Oh.

Oh, my God.

What I do?

Oh, I was modeling.

Yeah.

How did that happen?

Like, how do you get started?

I feel like modeling is a unknown thing to most people.

Yeah, I went.

Before going to my first school and running track, I went with a friend to an agency.

Not because I thought I was going to be a model ever, but she wanted to be a model, and we were young and we had to go together.

She needed, like, a buddy.

So we took a bus, and it was, I think, elite models at the time.

And she did this, like, audition or, like, and they basically said, who are you?

And I said, I don't know, Jess.

And I delayed modeling because when you sign D1, you can't model at that time.

And then when I came back and was doing art school, I was like, well, I guess I need, like, money, so.

Cool.

Maybe I can do it.

Your friend also get in with them?

No, she didn't.

But she was gorgeous.

I mean, like, 10 times more beautiful.

Like, I don't even understand.

That's very nice of you to say, because she was, you know, like, you ended up with the job, that you were just going for support.

I'm pretty sure she's like a doctor or something now, so I think she's doing just fine.

With her, like, beautiful face and brains, like.

Yeah, all right, that's fair.

Um, so keep talking about modeling.

Like, it's.

It's such.

I model for a hot minute and not.

Yes, you did.

Not nearly at the.

The level you did.

Like, you traveled for.

Like, you were in modeling.

Yeah.

And what was that like?

Like, share the experiences and, like, some of your favorite things to do.

Like, oh, my gosh, like, the life is different, I think, for every model.

Like, truly every model's career is so different.

And depending upon your look, it kind of like, tells you, okay, what path you're going to go.

I'm, like, pretty typical.

Like, Dutch girl.

Like, you will find me everywhere.

So probably not, you know, the most high fashion girl.

For me, it was great.

I had really, really great agents who were very protective of me.

They understood my core values, my morals, what I wanted to do, what I didn't want to do.

And I got into it, like, a little bit older.

Like, typically you wouldn't be, you know, 18, 19, kind of moving into that space.

Maybe you started earlier and then finally you hit 18, and you're like, okay, like, I've been doing this for four years, so I think that was, like, really beneficial for me.

Actually, I kind of knew who I was.

And I feel like, typical day, like, are like, maybe you have some castings and, like, maybe a go see if you have someone who really wants to, like, meet you, see you.

They're very serious about booking you.

Castings can be kind of a crapshoot.

You could be in a room with, like, 100 chicks.

You're like, why am I here?

Or like, I mean, there's four of you, and you're, like, sitting there sweating because you're all blonde and look the same.

So, like, you know, you're like, all right, it's like, whoever has the best jokes, I guess.

Like, what's the vibe?

Yeah, it's.

I feel like it's brutal for the most part.

Yeah.

It's like, I mean, not good for self esteem.

No.

Yeah.

You have to, like, have, like, your inner piece of, like, it's not on the outside.

It's what's on the inside, you know?

And you do.

You have.

You build like, a protective garter on yourself.

And you understand, like, when someone's looking at you and they say your eyes are too close together, we can't shoot you.

It's not because your eyes are actually too close together.

It's because the glasses are too far apart.

Okay.

So.

Exactly.

That's, like, the aura you have to go in with.

Because otherwise you'll just be crushed.

Like, totally.

Okay, so our meet.

Our meet up and our story where we met.

We did one wedding shoot.

Yes, we did.

Before we were married.

Yeah, we were married.

The first incident we met, it was wonderful.

Beautiful wedding, beautiful dress.

That's right.

And the only reason I happened to fall into modeling really was because I was like, one of the only guys, I think around our age at the time that had a custom suit.

It's like my suiting always just looked better than everything.

100%.

The suiting was probably a lot better than my face from a strength perspective.

No stuff.

But it worked.

And, you know, we ended up meeting at the shoot.

And then I think the second we get.

We were married multiple times.

Multiple times.

I think it was the second one that we ended up on the COVID of Chicago Style magazine.

I think our claim to fame would be that we had an ice sculpture.

Yeah, we did.

I forgot the sculpture.

You can't forget about that.

I will.

We'll try to find that photo.

You should toss that in the video or post that on Instagram so listeners check that out.

But, like, I think that.

I mean, it was the only time an ice sculpture's been made of me to this point, which.

Yeah, I don't have any other ones.

That's it.

Yeah.

We'll get there again.

Or we could just hire somebody to remake ours.

That's.

Yeah, that's what for anniversary, we'll do.

That's a great plan.

But I think we hit it off right away.

Like, we share a lot of the same interests.

Like, we were both in that world.

You get married right away, it's like modeling.

It's.

You can either.

At least in my opinion, the way I always felt.

You.

Some people you, like, hit it off with, and you're like, I could be friends with them most of the time.

I was like, they're really one of those models that just talk about all the modeling they do.

Yeah.

Themselves.

Yeah.

That always icked me out.

Yeah.

And you didn't do that.

Like, you were a very normal person.

Thank God.

Yeah.

And I mean, you're young.

Like, you know, you never know.

You're like, retrospective me.

I'm like.

But, you know, like, we kept in touch.

Yeah.

I mean, we've known each other 10 years.

So long.

Yeah.

A long time.

Yeah.

And like, when I started, at the time, I was called Wedding gps.

But, you know, you were one of the first people I told.

And then when it switched to G.

Alexander and became like, this even bigger thing.

And we started getting a lot of weddings.

Yeah, it's like, oh, shit.

Like, I need help and the only person I could possibly trust was you.

What did you think?

When I like, came to at first and was like, I have this idea.

I was very interested at that point.

I felt kind of bored with modeling.

And not that modeling is boring, it was just I was changing, my life was changing.

I wasn't traveling the same way that I used to or like feeling that, like, drive to keep going.

So it was like a very natural, like, shift.

Right.

Like, we get along really well.

I think we both understand each other.

Like, you know that I speak to me gently.

Like, she's always taking care of everybody, but yeah, like, she's a very gentle, pure soul.

Treat me nicely.

Yeah, I just felt like it's a really good fit.

It like married together.

Everything that I'd already been exposed to, everything I had studied, everything that I enjoy.

Like, I love people.

Like, at the end of the day, like, I don't even care what I'm doing.

Like, if I did something nice, like, gave you like a hug and you felt good about it, like, I'm happy.

Like, and like, wash my hands of the day.

I think, like, you know, House of style is all about style beyond fashion.

And I like, when I think of you, I think of like, everybody loves you.

Like when you enter a room.

I mean, every single wedding planner and event planner that hired us for weddings always asked to have just.

And because every single bride loves Jess and like, she just takes care of everything.

So it was just like.

So I'm well caffeinated.

That's a huge part on wedding weekends and weddings especially.

We had a couple weekends where we were doing multiple weddings.

Yeah, you need caffeine.

Yeah, we were grinding.

Yeah.

And that's a part of it.

But like, I think part of your style in my eyes has always been just like kindness and cool clothes.

Like, you're always dress cool.

And I know this isn't all about fashion, but for us it has a.

Little bit of fashion come on.

And as a designer, like, it's even more important for you.

And we'll get into to that.

But how long have you wanted to start your own fashion company?

My whole life.

My whole life.

And so you said the journey took a little while.

Why did it take so long?

I think a, I didn't really believe in myself, which you have always, like, pushed me and you're like, no, you're doing it.

And I'm like, okay.

And I'VE always been, like, very grateful to you for that.

Like, I wouldn't be here without you, and I genuinely appreciate you.

You'd get there, someone would come along.

It's just, like, kick you.

Yeah.

And I also just think.

I think it needed to happen this way.

I think there was a lot of things I had to learn.

I worked for some other designers on the side while I was modeling.

I think part of it is when you're young, you think you know everything, or you're like, I know what I need to know.

I went to, like, I didn't really know as much as I thought I did.

And I am also a mother, and I very much take that seriously.

Like, I brought these children to this world and I want them to know, like, how deeply they are loved.

So that was really important.

So I'm like, even if I can't do something well, I don't want to do it.

Which isn't, like, a great quality of mine.

But, like, that's where I'm at.

Yeah.

To a certain extent, like, that if your business is going to succeed, you have to be in a place that you're going to put out a great product, not just one that you believe in for sure.

Has to be good if you want to grow and, like, have a business that makes money and continues to grow.

Yeah.

There's a level of psychosis that we all have.

You have to.

Because it's like another baby, you know?

Yeah.

You love it.

You have to, like, take care of it, treat it well, and when it's bad, you just get back up again and do it the next day.

Like.

Yeah.

What do you think changed from early mom Jess, where you didn't think you were ready and, like, giving your your time and let's call it, like, all the effort to your kids.

What's different now that you felt like you were able to start this Hormones.

Having a first baby, like, rocks your world.

And you're like, you have an identity shift completely.

Like, I went from Jess.

That does track Jess.

That does, like, art.

Jess is a model Jess that's now married.

Like, I feel like I was really finding myself and kind of figuring out, okay, like, my identity doesn't lie in any of these things, actually.

And then also, like, just seeing what's out there and the price point that it's set at, like, genuinely, like, makes me angry.

I'm like, the audacity of these people.

Yeah.

But, yeah, talk to me about.

So, like, you always wanted to start your own line, and, like, we started talking about it.

Like, what was it that.

Besides me, what was it that, like, triggered you to, like, say, I'm gonna do this now?

We had a very special client together.

We've had a lot of special clients together.

Yes.

This particular client was extra special, and she just, like, entrusted in me.

And you presented my sketches to her, and we made two looks for her, which, literally, I was flying for, like, a year off of that.

I was like, oh, my gosh.

Like, someone actually wore, like, my stuff, and it was good stuff, quality stuff.

Things that are made with love and intention and care without a label.

As someone who can literally have any label that they want or own the store and that she said, like, yes, I really love this.

I want to wear it.

Yeah.

I felt like I was like, oh, like, there's validity to this.

Like, I'm not just, like, an egotistical jerk.

Like, I mean.

And let's be real, like, that client had a lot of dresses, too.

Like, she wore your dresses.

And she wasn't always the most decisive, wonderful, wonderful person in human and bride and love her, but she had a hard time making choices, so she ended up in yours.

And I definitely think it was.

I think those sketches right away spoke to her.

Good.

See?

Thank you.

Life design and drawing those figures back in the day.

We'll do a class together.

I don't know that that's worthwhile, but, you know, I think when I.

I just saw talent, and I think when you have talent, you're supposed to go for it.

And, like, you're not somebody that isn't confident, like, I do.

Even though you're very humble, you are a confident person, and it didn't make sense waiting any longer.

So that's.

That was.

That was the nudge.

Yeah.

The full kick in the pants.

And that's sometimes what you need.

Yeah.

So you start it.

The website goes up.

We have that client, wears your dresses.

Like, what.

What was next?

Because, like, there was that period.

Yeah.

Grant's gone.

Yeah.

You're on your own.

Like, come back.

You're on your own.

What was that like?

Like starting it and getting into it.

And, you know, I mentioned in the intro, but it's called the river and Rose.

Let's start with the name.

Yeah.

Tell everybody why you picked river and Rose.

So my son's name is river, and my daughter's middle name is Rose.

Her first name is Graylee.

So I just felt like I want my kids to see me doing something that I genuinely love and believe in.

And I grew up in a family, whereas like, my family worked very, very hard.

And, like, their job, like, wasn't always easy and they didn't always really like it, but they did it because they loved us and they always took care of us.

And for some reason, that really stuck with me.

I was like, no.

Like, I want to do something that I love to do and I refuse to do anything else.

So I named it after them.

Let's pray I don't have another child because I don't know what we're doing.

We'll just start another line.

It's fine.

Some shoes.

But yeah, I just named it after them to let them know, not just doing this for myself, I'm doing it for them as a gift for them to see someone who works hard, who's dedicated, who wants to provide for their family.

Even though I have a wonderful, fantastic husband.

He's awesome.

He's so good.

Literally, he is the best.

My wife loves him.

Corey loves him too.

Who doesn't?

You know?

What's wrong with 6 5?

I don't know.

Not much.

Right?

Okay, so the name was awesome.

Like, I love that.

Right away the website went up.

How did you know?

Like, what was it that was going to make river and Rose different?

Because I think, like, you can definitely see there are signature looks that you have and, like, you have a style.

What's your style and why did you know it was gonna be different?

Style's so hard for me to define.

Cause I feel like every day, if you, like, love fashion, you're like, maybe today I'm like this.

For me, like, my style is quality and, like, genuine care.

Like, it's not even, like, an aesthetics thing.

It's like when you meet a client and you know this, it's like you read your client and, like, at some point, like, you have to have enough emotional intelligence to be like, okay, I hear my client saying, but I actually know what they mean and what they need and, like, providing that to them.

As far as, like, actual physical things, the brand is all about, literally everything is hand beaded.

We will make the entire, like, fabric a custom print.

Like, the point is that it should not look like anybody else's stuff, which right now the world is just filled with stuff that all looks the same.

You can go to various stores and be like, oh, is this this designer?

You're like, wait, this is Amazon.

Like, it shouldn't be that way.

Like, if you're paying, it should be beautiful and different.

I started when I switched into fashion from corporate.

I started in custom menswear.

You know, that that's when we met, I felt very much the same way.

Like custom was the way to go.

It's better quality.

You can get exactly what you want over the years.

And as I went from that to a couple of different things along the way to G.

Alexander now to house the style.

I have a different viewpoint on myself designing a collection and putting out Ready Made.

I feel now that like I'm past that.

I know what I design is awesome.

Like I don't have imposter syndrome when it comes to that side of things anymore.

So I know if I put something out, it would be great and well received and I didn't back then.

And I thought I cared about the quality so much and that if I did produce this ready made collection, all that was gonna like fall out and I wouldn't.

It all sudden would suck.

And you know, because you hear that often.

Do you have any intention of starting Ready Made or like putting that out there?

I have big plans.

Let's hear them.

We want to hear them.

My hope or my what?

In a year and a half, I'm thinking that I will launch my own collection.

I'll do the typical bridal lines.

I have a studio space, we call it now that we bring clients to.

The intent is to buy a much larger space and also employ women.

I'm like a big women's advocate, so employing women.

And then we're also going to do the line and have the custom.

Do the gala dresses.

If it's a dress, we will make it.

If it's pants and something else, maybe we'll make it.

If it's like, you know, yeah.

Tickles your fancy, like.

Yeah.

So where I kind of struggled.

I don't believe in a lot of the designer brands that charge, you know, 900 for a T shirt.

Those I do now.

A lot of people think an $8,000 suit is nutty.

I, because of my time in custom menswear, I understand an eight thousand dollar suit for the.

I mean there are some fabrics that like, you can only share that wool like once every five years from the.

Top of the mountain.

One mountain?

Yes.

In Peru.

That's like, that's where that one golden sheep is.

And so I, I understand that aspect, but I definitely battled with the thought, if I'm going to care so much about quality, like I know you do, how are you going to balance quality with putting out something that you feel comfortable selling at a reasonable price point?

Yeah, I mean I.

My biggest thing too is like fair wages.

We're not doing China and like you can manufacture in China.

Right, like and give fair wages.

It's a lot harder.

Right.

Like because it's just not as common.

I'm manufacturing in Poland with an all female atelier and then in the us so that's what I'm doing.

At the end of the day like I'm responsible so I just have to be checking and making sure like is this, is this Jess?

Like is this true to me, you know?

Yeah.

So I know you've got the design side on lock.

How are you developing the entrepreneurial side, like the business side of it?

Oh, it's really hard for me because I am like an art kid like through and through.

I think the biggest thing that I found is just talking to people, people and being really honest.

I think it can be difficult when you don't have a label.

And I don't really post to social media.

I like respect a lot of my clients privacy.

I also think it takes away from the artistic process in general.

I think that the more I've talked to people I found the more support I have.

And that has literally been my biggest supporter in all of this.

Beyond like friends and family is just letting people like this is what I do and just being really honest and forthright and showing this is the quality of work and it kind of speaks for itself.

I definitely think when, when you are putting out something so quality that is just a matter of time for word of mouth to kick in.

Yeah, like I never did any form of like paid advertising or really any advertising for Jay Alexander for the weddings.

And we went from you know, having 16 weddings to the next year, like 35 to 40 to the next year over 80.

It's like it just happened.

Like I didn't do anything to make it happen but we were providing something that was better than anything else out there.

And I definitely think that's a big part of it.

Like I've learned that that's also hard to scale.

Yeah, it's like how are you?

Or how have you thought about wanting to go about getting bigger?

Do you want to get bigger?

I think that's, you know, I talk with, with.

I have three brothers for those listening, I talk with a couple of them and I'm the most, I don't know what the word is.

I don't want to make it sound bad.

We'll say ambitious.

I want to make a bajillion dollars.

Yeah, I like, I want to have it all.

I want world domination.

I plan on host style being one of the biggest companies ever yeah.

But my other brothers are like, oh, we'll be cool.

Like, just having a fantastic life where we can do the things we want to with the family, like.

Like support everything we need.

So I'm.

I am always like, hey, pause, Grant.

Some people don't, you know, need world domination.

Yeah.

Where have you.

Like, where do you fall in the scale?

Like, what type of growth do you want to see?

And.

And how are you thinking about going about it?

Yeah, world domination is not for me.

Like, everything would be pink.

It would be bad.

I feel like I'm going to do whatever I feel like I'm being led to do.

I don't want to be famous.

I don't want to be huge.

I feel like I'm making money, my family is happy.

I would just want to be able to do what I love.

Honestly, I would literally do it for free.

That's the worst business thing to ever say.

But it truly brings me so much joy that it's probably wrong just to be able to be like, I made something, and they're wearing and they're living in it, and it's a part of their life.

Especially because it's a special thing if you're wearing something to a gala, an event, a wedding, like, or a special vacation.

Like, we've.

We've done a little bit of the kind of ready to wear vibe.

More casual dresses.

Yeah.

Just.

I don't think I care to be anything special.

Just me.

I just want the clothes to be special.

Don't you think, though, once that happens, that.

No, you always.

Inevitably.

That would happen to you personally.

Yeah, I think that's a natural effect.

I also think that at some point, some of those other things may cloud, like, who you are.

Just.

I've been in the industry a really long time.

That's why I think, like, you compared to most people, can handle it and not be affected, like a lot of people would be.

Yeah, we've.

Me and a lot of my friends, we've all been around, you know, the people who are known, and nothing is ever as shiny on the inside.

I want to be shiny on the inside.

That's so spark.

We're just gonna have sparkle effects around.

Her eyes, some of those heart emojis.

Talk to me about some of, like, the roadblocks you've faced so far away.

What have been the challenges?

Oh, my gosh.

Imposter syndrome, which you have been very helpful with because you just started telling me, like, no, Jess, you are this.

You already done it.

Like, stop pretending or telling yourself you're not, which is good.

And you're very direct, which is very.

Helpful too, because you gotta be get through imposter syndrome.

And it's.

Yeah.

The thing about imposter syndrome, it doesn't really stop.

Like I said.

Yeah.

If I designed a collection, I don't have imposter syndrome with that.

But house of styling, when I.

I mean, I've been working in this for a year before anyone knew about Hosta Style publicly.

Yeah.

And for a year, I was sitting there like, oh, my gosh, I'm doing this all over.

Like, is this going to work?

Am I the right person for this brand that's gonna change the world?

And it never really goes away.

It's just kind of how you manage it.

And I've always found that kind of being direct with yourself or others is the best route to help tackle it.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I think that I definitely just.

I really try to balance my life with my kids because I'm still very much present.

Mommy River's six and Graylee's three.

So it's like we're in the thick of it.

So I would wake up at like 2am, 4am, 6am I would work, like, for like an hour or two sleep, wake up sleep.

And I did that for a long time.

And that way I could really be with my children and, like, heavily caffeinated, so I could still be, like, happy.

I mean, I get it.

You were at those times texting me, like, hey, yeah, hi.

You're awake.

Yeah, yeah.

So I just think that's, like, probably my biggest thing is how do I balance family?

Like, how do I stay still, Jess?

Like, no ego.

Like, we're surrounded by a lot of people, a lot of money.

Like, what is it that I value?

And, like, making sure that I'm continuing to do that thing no matter what, because I know if I do those things that I'll be okay at the end of the day.

So I think that's kind of one of my biggest hurdles, is just like, hey, let's balance and, like, make make life good, real life.

Because if all this goes away, like, I'm still okay.

Yeah.

Yeah.

It's really nice hearing that because, I mean, this half makes me feel crazy because I'm on.

Like, I have to do this.

I have to do this.

Oh, I accomplished something.

Doesn't matter.

We have to go to the next one.

In hearing that, it's good for me to just be like, hey, it's good to pause.

And it's good to think about all the other Priorities.

Because at the end of the day, I am doing House of Style for my family and for my friends and for everybody that that's supported me.

It's a freaking good idea.

Like, it is a freaking great idea.

And we will soon.

I don't know when this will air versus the episodes we'll be filming about House of Style.

But finally, because a lot of people have asked for specifics, like, what is House of Style?

Yeah, because we keep saying it's amazing, and I get that we need to, you know, give some.

Unwrap the present.

Christmas is coming.

Like, we should do for a Christmas episode.

Oh, wait, that would be really cute.

I have a lot of trees at my house, decorated, so I'm ready.

All right.

We're filming at Jess's house.

Thank you for the invite.

You're welcome.

You got a new.

Oh, how's the new dog?

Oh, good.

Bear.

Bear.

Yeah.

He's our rescue puppy.

You know, he's a little crazy, but, like, okay, that's all right.

We understand there's trauma.

So he's in, like, puppy boot camp, and he's, like, doing his best.

He's so soft.

I'm like, this is your saving grace, because you're a little bit naughty.

So softness is.

It's key.

One Paddington gets groomed.

It doesn't matter what he does that day.

I'm like, you are the cutest, fluffiest thing ever.

Yes.

Yes.

Yeah, he's adorable.

He's definitely still doing his training.

Our other dog, Cooper, is, like, a little indifferent.

He's kind of like, you're a little bit annoying and a little too excited.

Maybe that's how, like, Nathan feels about me.

Nathan's, like, very stoic, very chill.

Like, everything.

He's, like, kosher.

I'm like, I'm doing great.

I'm not doing great.

Like, there's a lot of ups and downs.

I think one of the cool things for viewers and listeners that was the goal of this podcast in House of Style is that everyone can have different styles.

Like, we have very different styles in business.

Like, I was just saying, like, we value different things.

I mean, we have a lot of the same values, and from, like, aesthetics and quality and all that.

But our goals are ultimately different in the style at which we go about business is different.

But both of those lead to success.

And that's what I want other people to get and other entrepreneurs that, like, might be on the edge of starting.

And if you need a little nudge, like, just did.

Here's your nudge.

Just, like, Go for it.

And it doesn't matter where you fall on the style, your style and business spectrum, you can be successful in.

And it's whatever is important to you.

And like, so hearing what you're saying about what success is to you, I think is really refreshing since I think people like me and a lot of listeners that are, you know, searching for how to make a million dollars in the next, you know, week.

Yeah, they're just thinking, what's next?

How do we grow?

How do we grow?

And don't pause to think that there are other metrics for success.

So I think that's.

That's awesome to have from a development perspective.

Like, what areas do you think you could do better in or want to learn more in to help you reach your goals?

I mean, there's a myriad of them.

Like, there's so many.

And even when you get those, then there are a bunch more.

That's when I text you, I'm like, how did I do this thing?

Like, I think anything.

Like, Nathan does all the finances.

He is like a genius with math.

He does that for like his real job.

And so like, like, he does all that kind of stuff, all the invoicing, any tax stuff.

So let's pray nothing happens to him ever.

I definitely just feel like kind of the website thing and I'm not great at being a little more forceful.

Like, I know what I have, but I'm not gonna come up here and be like, no, we're changing that out.

Where I've seen you do that in a respectful way, in a really great way.

And clients have actually really appreciated it and been like, oh, I was an idiot.

I don't know what I was doing.

Cause they get cloudy vision.

So like, maybe not nice, but, you know, more direct.

And I definitely feel like I have to work on just all things web related.

You know, it's like the content creation, like that kind of stuff.

I also get concerned when you start producing so much content.

Just like, who's doing the real job?

Right.

That's me.

So at the end of the day I'm like, I'd rather just do the real job and like have my private clients, we can sign the NDAs and like do that.

Yeah, I think it's a more peaceful process.

Yeah.

It's amazing to me how many people and entrepreneurs don't like doing social media yet.

It's like the most important thing because it's free.

Yes.

And you should be doing it, you know, you should be doing it.

But I think it's probably a great strategy if you're like, I don't wanna do social media to get really badass clients.

Super high end, just sign some NDAs, you don't ever have to worry about it.

That's what we've kind of been doing.

Yeah.

I think it's interesting because we do have clients kind of from all over.

We have Germany, we have London, we've done, you know, Spain, whatever.

It's different.

I live in a suburb.

So like the, the ladies of the burb, they like their labels and I'm about no labels essentially.

Right.

You get one little sewn label in and like that's it.

So, yeah, that's going to be interesting to kind of tap into that because I really want to create beautiful things for these women because they go to a lot of events that are timeless events.

They go year after year after year.

They love them, their family goes.

It's like a tradition.

And I feel like the brand is more than worthy of those traditions.

Instead of wearing the same dress that Rebecca wore or.

Sorry.

Rebecca.

Rebecca.

You look great.

Great name.

It's not Karen.

I heard Jess is the new Karen.

I got kind of scared.

Oh, sorry.

Yeah, I know it's not looking good for me.

Grant will never be that.

My gosh.

Thanks, mom and dad.

Yeah, yeah, you're lucking out.

But yeah, so I think tapping into some of those markets when you don't do the social media, when it's not flashy in labels, where it gives a direct, you know, letter to whomever you're trying to send it to of like, hey, look at what I'm wearing.

What are you wearing?

Yeah, it'll be an interesting, like, battle in that arena.

I think that's what it should be.

And like that is the purpose of what you put online.

It's to put content out there for you.

It's to put a picture of a dress out there for the person that is searching for exactly what you do and provide.

Like when they're looking for you and land in that right place, they see you and like that's what, that's the portfolio and that's the credibility they need to pull the trigger.

And it doesn't have to be this overwhelming.

Oh my gosh.

I have to put out five posts and 10 stories every single week.

And it doesn't have to be that nutty.

Yeah.

And we've been working too with a lot of beautiful Muslim women and they don't want you filming them.

And there's so many things that should be private for them, which we need to respect.

So for me, too, there is a benefit there, being like, yeah, we're not, like, overexposing every client.

And it's also weird coming from a modeling background, because I feel like if I'm, like, filming someone, I'm like, I should be paying them.

Like, you're, like, doing marketing for me, so there's kind of that weird, like, thing in my head always.

I'm like, well, this is messed up.

I owe them some cash.

I mean, it's probably healthy and fair and nice, but first I was like, that's not healthy.

Yeah.

Yeah.

But it's probably.

That's a very.

I mean, you're a nice person, so that makes sense.

Months.

Yeah, man.

I don't think I've ever felt that way.

Like, yeah, you should be posting on my behalf.

Thank you.

Yeah, yeah.

Doing that.

No, I'm like, here's your 50 bucks.

Oh, sorry.

Thanks.

I'll make you an extra dress.

Yeah.

Literally.

Yeah.

I mean, every day I'm like, every time I find, like, one of our industry friends or something, they come.

I'm like, where are you going?

Let's make a dress.

I'm like, what time is it?

Why do I don't have time for this?

Why am I.

But I just want them to be happy.

Yeah.

Yeah.

So, okay, so I know that the goal and dream is, like, be happy in the family.

Like, be a good spot.

If there was one thing for the business.

Not that, like, not the.

The family side of it.

Yeah.

That would just be, like, this is what I wanted to do from the beginning.

And, like, either this person's wearing it, or I'm in this store, or it's, like, has this moment.

Do you have that, like, one goal you're reaching towards?

Well, house of style.

I would like to be in the store.

I mean, well, that's a given.

Yeah, I.

You know, I.

Celebrity wise, I.

I don't have, like, a person.

I'm like, oh, I wish.

You know, I don't know.

Blake Lively would wear my dress.

Like, they're just people doing a job.

Success wise, I just.

Just literally pray that when I open the doors to a larger boutique, that there are people who come and genuinely love the experience, and then they bring family and friends, and that is just, like, a wonderful, like, healthy environment of, like, art and, like, beauty, and people can, like, leave and look gorgeous.

That is one of the, like, healthiest, most wonderful answers.

No, I'm not healthy.

Way too much cheese, and I drink way too much coffee, so.

Talk about coffee.

That's definitely off limits for me.

I did go dairy free, so I.

Know you're doing way better than I am.

I can't say no.

I'm from Wisconsin.

Yeah, I know.

It, like, automatically puts you at I.

Have a Green Bay Packer tattoo.

I didn't know that.

I don't.

I'm just kidding.

I'm like, oh, my gosh.

I'm like, there's no way I don't know that about you.

No.

So many people do, though.

Like, just go, you got camo, you got some Green Bay Packer tattoos.

The bar are full.

I get that.

The nicest people, they're so nice.

Absolutely.

I love it.

I went home for Thanksgiving.

I have family in Wisconsin.

I dressed a lot of Milwaukee Bucks players.

Okay.

But like, a Green Bay packers tattoo on you, I'm like, there's no way.

I didn't know this.

Just throw it on there.

And every day I learned to, like, put makeup over it.

This would be interesting.

That would be all right.

We're going to try this out.

Oh, man.

I'm just.

You're going to see me with Bears.

Yeah.

Well, don't do that.

That's not gonna look good for you.

Bears.

Yeah.

They inspired their coach.

They did.

And I, you know, the.

I used to love sports.

Yeah, We've talked about this.

Yeah.

I don't watch sports anymore.

I don't know if it was like, I had two girls or I don't have time.

That's really.

You have no time.

I have no time.

You have no time.

Yeah.

Time is an important piece to watching tv, especially sports.

That takes up hours.

Like, if I'm gonna watch.

Watch something or, like, do something for three hours, it's going to be the business.

Yeah.

And then once the business is successful, then I'll just buy a sports.

Yeah.

Literally.

Yeah.

You're probably not going to watch.

You're going to be like, onto the next thing.

That's how your brain works.

Keep going.

You give yourself a little pat on the back, little self hug.

Good job, Grant.

Quick move on.

I feel you get complacent if you, like, celebrate too much.

Much.

No, not complacent.

Probably.

No, it's good.

You sit.

You sit in the moment.

I struggle with that.

I'm, like, very hard on myself.

I'm, like, so loving towards others, but when it's myself, I'm like, oh, Jesse didn't do enough.

Like, you should have harsh on yourself.

Yeah.

Complacency and being harsh on yourself are different.

Like, if you take a while to celebrate it, you're not working for the next thing.

I don't think you have complacency in your body.

I hate to tell you this.

Your DNA does not compute complaints complacency.

That's true.

I.

I have wondered, like, okay, we get the 42 million we need to start House of Style and.

Or how many we need?

32, 33 left.

Okay, so we get 33 more million, we start it, Everything takes off exactly how I plan.

Because obviously what's going to come up along the way?

Yeah, nothing.

What am I going to do then?

You're going to actually get to work.

My.

Oh, gosh.

My.

I think my dream.

It used to be a private jet, but then I learned how terrible they are for the environment, so I've nixed that.

Okay.

For the time being until they have like, you know, alternative fuel ones that.

Run on corn, cheese, like carbon neutral.

Then I'll feel better about it.

And hopefully by then I can afford the carbon neutral private jet too.

But I kind of like push that aside.

And what I keep coming back to is I'm gonna.

I'm gonna drop a little bit of what will be in some of these House of Style episodes.

But, you know, it's that like the lounge and where it's entertainment and events happening.

So we do the live podcast during the day and if there's an artist or performer or poet, whatever they may be at night, they are in the modern day, like Copacabana Lounge and they're performing.

And like, I just want to have a table that is like, for me and my friends that show up and we listen to this amazing intimate performance by like the just world class talent.

I'm like, I did this, like, that's.

I think the current.

If you are in the stage, I will come.

I expect like the full banana, the Coca Cabana situation, some maracas.

I will bring them personally.

Maybe once, like once a week, I will emcee a special, special edition.

See, once a week.

I love this.

So one of the reasons I actually wanted.

I mean, I love live music.

It's.

It's really important to me and I want that environment in the space.

But one of the reasons, the real reasons, I'm like, yeah, we need to have a space because goes.

I wanted to provide a platform for my daughters to sing and perform if they want.

Wednesday nights with what?

Oh, someone gave us a great name.

If Aspen and Nora do a band together, it's like, oh, Nora and the Queen.

Oh my God, that's fantastic.

So I'm hoping, you know, like Wednesday nights, it's like Nora and the Queen.

I'm here for it.

I'll make the dresses.

See, this is gonna be.

This is gonna be perfect.

We'll get all our plastic jewelry.

Little dress obsession.

The of costumes.

Oh, my gosh.

It's unbelievable.

It's bad.

Does Gray.

Gray, she is princess.

Oh, yeah.

Which I'm like, I didn't push on her because I was like, I.

You do you girl.

You want to play football?

You want to like River.

River's like, he's active.

Yeah.

Good word.

Oh, yeah.

River is like got an eight pack and is like the shreddiest kid.

And like, we don't know why or how, but like he is and he just does things for a six year old.

We're like, how are you doing this?

Like, he's literally stronger than me at this point.

Graylee is like, loves to sing, loves to dance, loves to draw.

Like, she comes with me to the studio a lot.

Like, river used to come on modeling castings with me all the time.

I have a bunch of baby pictures of him and like, me like, hey, going to work.

But yeah, Gray, she's all about the dress up.

There's far too many.

Most don't fit.

They get them on and scratchy.

Like it's a lot.

Yeah, totally.

I'm really excited to see where river and Rose goes.

I'm excited to see where hostage is goes and continues to go and like, what we'll do together.

And like, you're welcome at my table anytime.

You don't even have to call an ad.

You just show up and you have a spot.

Always.

Thank you for coming on.

Thank you.

I appreciate it.

You're gonna be.

I don't know that you really know this, but like, we just started doing some team episodes and like, you're gonna be on this.

I'm gonna mix it up, but at.

Least wanted to give you a chance to talk about, about what you're doing because it's awesome.

Thank you.

I appreciate you very much.

And everything you've done over like all the years and how much you've supported me.

There's very few people that like, genuinely will support you and cheer you on, especially when you start to succeed.

That's typically when, like, people come out and they're like, oh, this isn't, you know, that great or whatever.

And you've never done that.

You've always been so, so wonderful.

Plus, I just love talking with you.

This is like our most proper talk ever.

This is absolutely, without a doubt our most proper talk.

Yeah.

Yeah.

You look great.

You too.

Things like showered, that's also a win.

You know, we'll take the wins anywhere.

I mean, yeah, I'm a mom, so.

Yeah.

I hope her story resonated with you as much as it does with me.

It's not every day we get to witness the early chapters of someone who's set to make a real impact in the fashion and bridal world.

Remember, you heard her story here first on House of Style.

If you'd like to follow Jess's journey or learn more about river and Rose, be sure to check out the links in our show.

Notes.

Notes let's support her as she continues to bring her unique style and empowering mission to the bridal world and beyond.

Thank you all for tuning in to House of Style.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with your friends who might find inspiration in Jessica's story.

Until next time, I'm Grant Alexander reminding you that style isn't in your wardrobe, it's in.