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Meet Sandra Veum of Sandra Veum of Mariposa Style

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandra Veum.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Sandra. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
How I started and got to where I am today really begins as a little girl. I had always liked dressing up my Barbie dolls, including Ken. Barbie needed a stylish date! I was also always fascinated with what the stars were wearing too. The ironic thing is that I was kind of a tomboy due to being involved in sports and gymnastics. Where you might think this would contradict my interest in fashion I like to think that it makes me a good stylist today knowing how to incorporate style into people’s lives while making it functional.

I pretty much knew during Jr High School that I wanted to do something in fashion. I started working retail with other various positions to enhance my sales skills. By the time I got to college a degree in styling was not really a thing. Designers were dressing the stars directly. I knew early on that I wanted to be a businesswoman though so I decided to get a four-year Bachelor of Science Degree in Textiles & Clothing while minoring in Business. I quickly figured out that my talent was not in the construction or sketching of the designs but rather in coming up with ideas of designs and how to put them all together on individuals. My last year of college I presented my final on having a business where I would go into companies and work with the HR departments on how to have style and dress appropriately in the workplace.

After college I was managing a store and thinking I might want to become a Buyer, again, styling was still not a thing. While I was deciding on where I might need to move in order to have more opportunity in this field, I was living in Phoenix, I had an opportunity to switch careers and get into the hospitality industry. Needless to say, as much as fashion and style were still my passion I was excited to see what this experience could bring me. During this transition, I also met my wonderful husband who brought me out to San Diego. I basically spent 16 years in the Sales & Marketing area of the tourism industry.

The funny thing is that I would still take my meeting planning clients around to various boutiques throughout San Diego and help them find outfits. After starting our family I decided to get out of the tourism industry and take some time off to concentrate solely on being a Mom. After a while, I knew that I needed to go back to my passion and start the styling business that I had originally intended on but now do styling for all. Careers in styling were still new when I started my business over 13 years ago, but at least people knew about it.

I absolutely LOVE what I do! My business has evolved into styling women, men, teens, and groups. In addition to conducting styling presentations, working with companies on dress codes, packing for people, closet evaluations, and shopping tours. I am also a content contributor for the San Diego Tourism Authority and Fashion Valley’s Personal Wardrobe Stylist. Life is great!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Anyone who tells you that life is a smooth road is a liar. Just kidding! There are always struggles along the way in life and finding your career path. I personally like to think that struggles can be turned into opportunities. Whatever your struggle is try to find some positive out of it or what can you learn from it. I think you actually learn more from your mistakes.

I would say my struggle early on was living in Phoenix and wanting a career in fashion. Phoenix was not known for fashion and I knew I would have to move to a bigger city where fashion is a focus i.e. New York, LA, Chicago. I have always been close with my family so I struggled on moving far away.

I would also say that when I started my business, as mentioned before, there were really not many stylists out there. I had no information to gage it on. I basically created my business and price structure on Interior Designers since I figured they were in similar positions with what stylists do in regards to being a service and charging for a luxury. I created everything, including my materials from grassroots. I basically went in with the attitude of “What would I want someone to do to help me with my wardrobe?”.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
My business is Sandra Veum of Mariposa Style. I specialize in styling women, men, teens, and groups. I do closet evaluations, shop for people, have shopping tours, work with businesses on dress codes, give styling presentations, and contribute to the shopping blog for the San Diego Tourism Authority.

I am Fashion Valley’s Personal Wardrobe Stylist, and I am part of the Independent Styling Program of Nordstrom’s. In a nutshell, I like to think I am responsible for taking someone’s style to the next level and being the best version of themselves! I am all about creating confidence in everyone’s lives and hopefully making their life easier with presenting themselves in the best manner.

I would think I am known for taking a personal experience like styling and making it enjoyable for everyone. I am also known for being pretty strategic and efficient with everyone’s dollars. I work with everyone’s budget. I personally feel style has no price!

I am most proud of being a Mom and having two successful careers. I have been able to merge all experiences into my styling business of today. I am also very proud of hearing back from my clients how much I have changed their lives for the better. I love hearing how they feel more confident in their lives.

I am not sure what sets me apart from others but I do know that I take everyone’s styling needs to heart. I treat them as I would want to be treated. A star!

What were you like growing up?
I was a little shy growing up but that seemed to evolve around Jr High School. That is when my family would say I found my voice.:) I am pretty outgoing and love talking with people and getting to know them. I have always been a pretty good listener and love trying to relate to everyone.

As mentioned before, I was a tomboy growing up. My best friend at the time was a neighbor boy. Thank goodness he did not mind playing Barbie’s. We also were very active outdoors with sports and gymnastics. I have always been very active in school and my community. I don’t like to sit down much. I have always liked to stay busy.

I would say my personality is outgoing and friendly. I don’t like confrontation but I don’t mind it. I look at it as an opportunity to make a positive out of a negative situation.

My interests have always been history (fashion in particular), architecture, art, different cultures, food, and of course fashion and style.

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