Strategic Initiatives Manager | Growth & Impact through Collaborative Partnerships

I lead and write from a place of purpose, heart posture, and story. 

My work spans development, partnerships, and strategy, and the thread through everything is relationship. I listen closely, notice what’s often unspoken, and use storytelling to help people feel seen, valued, and invited into something meaningful.

At the core of who I am is this
people matter
stories matter
and when the heart is engaged, everything changes.

Summer Applegate🍏

The considerate heart
shows up in parking lots
in grocery aisles
at restaurant tables
and in family rooms

The considerate heart grabs the cart
blocking a parking space
and uses that one to shop

because no one can park there
until it’s moved

They pull another can to the front
after taking the one they selected
and forward face the label

Not from past retail training
but from peripheral noticing

They saw an employee doing it
and something in them responded

Easing someone else’s labor
even in small ways
leaves an imprint

No one goes on the intercom
and says
“Thank you to the person in qaisle three
for being considerate”

A considerate heart
is a subconscious habit

A kind of care you practice
until it becomes you

They stack their plates after a meal out
and wipe their space

Knowing someone else
will reset the table
for someone else

In this 
They appreciate the moment at their table
and restore it for the next person

This kind of consideration
is appreciation
turned outward

Appreciation
expressed in action

To notice with care
that anticipates
and lightens the load

To respond 
without needing credit

It’s the kind of person
who has seen the movie
and watches it again
because you haven’t
Enjoying it more because this time the moment is shared 

—

We’ve all heard some version of

“I take my interviews to a restaurant
and see how they treat the wait staff”

Can good treatment be faked?
Absolutely

Make eye contact
Repeat their name
Say thank you

People can read performance situations
and adjust accordingly
especially in an interview

Over time
hearts reveal themselves

In tone
micro-decisions
how someone handles power
how they handle service
how they treat what goes unseen

You want to hire
the considerate heart

Look deeper 

—

Today my son and I were playing
Mario Kart

He was in first
I was in second

He said
“Here you go Mom
take the win”

He slowed
just enough

To let Princess Peach pass the finish line

Then he looked into my eyes
and smiled

“Good job Mom”

My son
you inspired this

Consideration is relational

It’s how someone connects in the world

It reads the room
Senses the moment
Feels what would build

True influence
makes what’s around you
and who’s around you
better

A considerate heart senses
what would deepen connection
and chooses that

Love often shows up
as yielding

A small surrender
that creates a deeper bond

A decision that says

I see you
I want you to feel joy
I want this moment shared

And in that exchange
something forms

Trust
Warmth
Belonging
Moments built that matter

So I’ll ask

Are you enjoying the table you’re eating from?

Are you restoring it for the next?

Are you shaping what’s around you?

Every room is formed by someone

Let it be formed by you

Through a considerate heart

No alternative text description for this image

I help women corporate professionals and entrepreneurs to dress for success at work! Refine your brand image, feel confident, and attract premium career opportunities

I have helped over 500 women professionals and entrepreneurs advance in their careers by dressing for success at work.

Here is what makes working with me different: 

 #1  Organized Closet with a polished wardrobe ready to go, so you don't have to worry about your physical presentation and stress if you look good

 # 2 Create a powerful image that says you are a professional, trustworthy, respectable leader who commands authority in a workspace

 #3 Dress well for all kinds of work situations without having to spend hours of your time shopping

Recent client transformations: 

Client #1 Mallory is a corporate professional at a medium-sized tech company. She had no idea what her style was. But was worried I might suggest a trendy style that won't work for her. Within three weeks of working together, she attended a very important conference where she was presenting. She made a massive impression on her boss. The CEO asked her to represent the company, who bypassed 3 people in higher positions.


Client #2, Jaqueline, had a small wedding planning company. Before we started working together, Jacqueline worried that she would be forced to spend lots of money on her new wardrobe. Instead, we started with identifying Jaqueline's style profile while keeping her budget in mind. Her business grew so much that she got a book deal in September of 2022, and her calendar is booked for a year in advance.

Client 2 Lina is a Director at one of the Big State universities. Before we started to work together, She was worried that she would be forced to throw away most of her wardrobe. We incorporated some of her wardrobes and added new pieces that elevated her style. After 8 weeks, her confidence and image skyrocketed, and as a result, she was promoted to a Director position shortly after. 

To book your Personal Style Consultation click the link below.
https://calendly.com/basia1/stylingsession?month=2022-10&date=2022-10-07

A little bit more about me: 

Hi, my name is Basia Richard. For over 15 years, I've styled top celebrities in the business, like Selena Gomez, Sarah Hyland, and Irina Shayk.

I have created a powerful image that helped them position themselves on top of the industry, as a result bringing lots of work and business opportunities.

Because of my work, many powerful women in leadership asked me to help them create a signature style they desired.

I am originally from Poland, but I have lived in Los Angeles for the past 18 years. I am a mom of a 7-year-old daughter and 2 senior rescued cats. I have an amazing and very supportive husband of 20 years.

Basia Richard

Women don’t need chocolates and flowers today.

We need:

• Equal pay and career growth opportunities.

• Workplace support for pregnancy and breastfeeding.

• Affordable, high-quality childcare.

• Access to education and career training.

• Mental health resources.

• Flexible career paths.

• Paid maternity leave.

Flowers and Chocolates are great

But do you know what’s better?

Basic Human Necessities.

I build polished wardrobes for 6-figure + women professionals and entrepreneurs who want their clothes to reflect their career success, make them feel confident, and project the authority they’ve earned.

My videos have been going viral on Instagram.

And it’s not by accident.

This year, I decided I won’t hold back my thoughts.

 I say what I see. I say what I believe.

That resonates deeply with many women.

And it also triggers others.

That’s normal.

We are not meant to agree on everything.

Different opinions are healthy. They move conversations forward.

But here’s what I find interesting.

There’s a way to disagree with strength and intelligence.

And there’s a way to disagree with hostility.

The difference says everything about how you carry yourself.

I’ve been called names. Accused of things that don’t reflect my intentions at all.

I delete those comments and move on.

Because my message is not for everyone, and it doesn’t need to be.

But I do think this:

The way you respond when you disagree reveals more about your leadership than the opinion itself ever will.

Last week, my client attended a leadership presentation.

She wasn't a speaker.

But three different people asked her if she was presenting.

Not because they knew her.

Not because they saw her name on the program.

Simply based on what she was wearing.

That’s how fast people form assumptions in professional rooms.

They look for signals.

- Who looks like they belong on stage.
- Who looks like they are leading the room.
- Who looks like they are just attending.

And clothes send those signals instantly.

The interesting part?

The actual speaker dressed like one of many.

She was on stage but didn’t look like she belonged there.

My client was sitting in the audience, and people assumed she was presenting.

Clothes quietly move people up or down in the hierarchy of a room.

And sometimes the woman who looks like the authority isn’t even the one holding the microphone.

This is exactly what I help women in leadership with.

Dressing so that when you walk into the room, people immediately see you as the one in charge. 

Send me a dm with the word "image" and let's chat about how I can help elevate your professional wardrobe.

The most important lesson I learned while dressing celebrities had nothing to do with fashion. 

It was about positioning.

Years ago, when I was styling celebrities, I got a call from a publicist I knew. 

We had never worked together before.

She asked if I was available to dress her major client for the Emmys.

One of the lead actresses on a hugely popular TV show.

I was thrilled.

Then she said something that stopped me.

“She can’t wear black. Absolutely no black dresses.”

It was the first time anyone had told me to avoid a specific color. I was surprised, but I didn’t question it.

For the fitting, I didn’t bring a single black dress.

After the Emmys, I asked her why.

She said, “I have a harder time getting interviews for her if she wears black. She blends in on the red carpet. No one remembers black.”

This was a major actress on a nominated show.

 She had every reason to stand out.

And yet, her wardrobe was being used strategically to increase visibility, media coverage, and memorability.

That moment changed how I approach clothing.

Whether it’s a red carpet or a boardroom, the outcome you want should guide what you wear.

Do you want to look:

• Approachable but still clearly in charge?
 • Polished without fading into the background?
 • Established and credible at your level?
 • Modern without looking too trendy?

Every outfit communicates something before you say a word.

Your clothes are not just a look.

They are positioning.

When women in leadership want to elevate their wardrobe

They usually do it backwards.

You open your closet and feel like it’s reflecting where you were two promotions ago.

So the first thing that comes to mind is that you need to go shopping.

You walk into a store you usually go to and see the same clothes you already own.

So what happens next?

You feel overwhelmed, confused, and you give up.

That’s because you should never start elevating your wardrobe with shopping.

You need to start with clarity on your image.

Because once you know exactly how you want to show up as a woman in leadership, everything changes.

Shopping becomes easier, and you stop wasting time trying to figure out what works for you.

Without that clarity, you’re just buying more of the same clothes you already have.

If you want to elevate your wardrobe, start with clarity on your image.

That’s exactly the work we do inside the DFI program. 
More info here: https://lnkd.in/d8CduAT7

Please stop saying, “I just want to look professional.”

That’s not the goal.

It’s the baseline.

When you search: "how to dress professionally", you’ll get the same formula every time:

- Black blazer + black skirt + black flats
- Beige trousers + black blazer
- Gray sheath dress + simple pumps

Yes, that’s professional.

But it’s also the same formula worn by entry-level employees, junior staff, and corporate uniforms.

And that’s where the problem starts.

At a certain point in your career, “professional” is no longer the goal.

You already run the team.
You lead the meetings.
You make the decisions.

Your wardrobe shouldn’t say "I work here."

It should say: I lead here.

Because the traditional definition of professional dressing was built around fitting in.

Leadership dressing works differently.

It allows space for a clear style identity.

For example:

- Romantic elements like florals, ruffles, or softer silhouettes
- Edgier pieces like leather, studs, or darker monochromatic looks
- Clean, classic outfits with sharp tailoring and minimal color

All of these can be professional.

But they communicate something much stronger than the standard corporate formula.

At a certain level in your career, your wardrobe isn’t about looking appropriate anymore.

It’s about having a clear visual identity that matches the level you operate at.

Because once you’re in leadership, blending in stops working in your favor.

If your wardrobe still looks entry-level but your career isn’t, this is exactly what I help my clients with. Send me a dm with the word “Image” and let's chat

The biggest misconception about authority?

It’s not just what you say. It’s how you show up.

Before you speak, people are already forming an impression.

Your outfit plays a bigger role in that than most realize.

- Authority
- Confidence
- Credibility

All of it is communicated visually first.

What I often see with women in leadership is this:

As their role grows, they try to elevate their wardrobe by upgrading what they already wear.

- A better blazer.
- Higher-quality trousers.
- More polished basics.

Everything improves,  but the overall image stays the same.

And that’s the gap.

Because at a certain level, it’s not about looking “put together.”

 It’s about being perceived as the decision maker in the room.

A strong professional image comes from alignment:

-  Your wardrobe reflects your personal brand, not just dress codes
-  Your outfits match the level of visibility and responsibility you carry
-  You feel confident in what you wear, which changes how you communicate and lead

Where it gets tricky is that many women default to what feels safe.

Black, grey, neutral, understated.

It feels appropriate.

But it often makes them blend in rather than stand out with authority.

Your wardrobe isn’t just about looking good.

It’s a tool that shapes how you’re perceived before you say a word.

If your role has evolved, your image should evolve with it.

This is exactly what I help women in leadership with. Send me a message and let's chat!

I sometimes get pushback from women who ask:

“What would you know about working in a male-dominated industry?”

Before I worked with women in leadership, I was a celebrity stylist working on major brand campaigns.

I worked with teams at Disney, OPI, Sears, K-Mart, Adidas, and Nintendo, just to name a few.

And every creative meeting?

- Mostly men.
- Production heads were men.
- Studio heads were men.
- Decision makers were men.

Yes, my direct clients were often women.

But the rooms where budgets were approved and campaigns were shaped were filled with men.

And I learned something very quickly.

I didn’t want to be seen as the lady with clothes.

I wanted to be treated as part of the creative force.

- As someone influencing direction.
- As someone creating impact.
- As someone whose opinion mattered

Because when you walk into a room where you’re outnumbered, you don’t get extra time to prove yourself.

The room makes a decision about you before you open your mouth.

And once you’re mentally categorized, it’s hard to undo it.

That’s not theory.

That’s lived experience.

And it’s exactly why I care so much about how women in leadership show up now.

Your wardrobe isn’t decoration.

It’s part of how your authority is processed.

--------------------

If your clothes still make you look like support staff instead of the decision maker, message me and let's chat!

I was supposed to become a violinist.

At least that’s what I thought.

As a child growing up in a musical family, I was given a violin and believed this is what I would do forever.

I finished high school, studied violin performance, and moved to Canada, then to Texas, continuing on a path that felt very clear at the time.

And honestly, when I heard I was rejected, it felt like the end of the world.

I had to pull myself up and start over.

Sometimes rejection is the only thing that pushes you into something you would have never chosen for yourself.

At the time, it didn’t feel like that at all. It just felt like everything I worked for was gone, and I had no idea what I was supposed to do next.

But looking back, that’s exactly what opened the door to something I wouldn’t have considered otherwise.

Today I am so lucky to work with brilliant women and see how much shifts when they finally feel like themselves in what they’re wearing.

It was all worth it to see that change happen in real time.

My story

If your look still reads entry level

Even though you’re the one leading the room

This is the shift I use to change it immediately

Contrast.

That’s what I teach my clients.

Having elevated pieces isn’t enough.

You have to put them together in a way that actually reads elevated.

If you need help with taking your professional wardrobe to the next level sned me a dm and let's chat!

Many successful women believe their wardrobe problem is about buying better clothes.

So they upgrade.

- They stop shopping at White House Black Market and start shopping at Nordstrom.
- They replace the black blazer with a slightly nicer black blazer.
- The gray dress becomes a slightly more expensive gray dress.

But the closet still feels the same.

Because the real issue is rarely the store or the price point.

It is that most women are shopping without a clear image of how they want to show up in their role.

When that clarity is missing, even smart, successful women default to the safest version of “professional”.

And safe rarely creates presence.

The moment things start changing is when the process flips.

Not shopping first.

Not another “better blazer”.

First defining the image your wardrobe should communicate in the rooms you walk into.

Only then does shopping actually move your wardrobe forward.

This is what I help my clients inside the Dress for Impact program or the 1:1 VIP send me a message with the word "Image" and let's chat on how I can help you take your wardrobe to the next level

You know what I see all the time?

Women who can close million-dollar deals…

But stand in front of their closet for 20 minutes trying to convince themselves an outfit is “fine.” 

Not good. Not powerful. Fine.

- They’ve bought quality pieces.
- The blazer was expensive.
- The trousers technically fit.
- The capsule was “well curated.”

But none of it was built around a defined image.

So every morning becomes a negotiation.

“Does this look senior enough?”
“Is this too much?”
“Is this too basic?”

That mental noise is exhausting.

And no one talks about that part.

It’s not about spending more money.

It’s about eliminating the doubt.

When your image direction is clear, getting dressed stops being a daily question mark.

It becomes automatic.

That’s the difference.

If you’re tired of second-guessing yourself every morning, 

DM me IMAGE and let's chat!

After seeing over 500 closets of women in leadership, you would think I’ve seen everything.

But I see the same things over and over.

- The typical “professional” wardrobe.
- The generic black and grey suits.
- Neutral pencil skirts.
- Beige or nude blouses.

Nothing terrible.

But also nothing that says this is the wardrobe of a woman in charge.

And when I edit my clients’ closets, those pieces are usually the first to go.

Not because they’re “bad.”

But because they’re:

• Dated and generic
• Off-fitting
• Entry-level looking

They belong in the wardrobe of someone trying to look professional for the first time.

Not someone leading the room.

In today’s video, I break down:

• The pieces I immediately remove from my clients’ closets
• Why they quietly make accomplished women look more junior than they are
• And what to replace them with so your wardrobe actually reflects your level

Here is the link: https://lnkd.in/egGGYbNR

When you get to the next level of your career,

Your wardrobe should reflect it too.

It’s not just your resume or your responsibilities that evolve. 

Your image should evolve with them.

The problem?

Most of the women I speak to are still wearing the typical “corporate uniform.”

Yes, it’s easy.
Yes, it works on repeat.

But that safe, predictable look doesn’t position you as the woman who just stepped into the next level.

It keeps you looking safe

Not authoritative.

In this video, I walk you through:

- How to find your style when you get to the next level of your career
- The exact 3-step process I teach my clients to define an image that positions them with authority
- How to shift from looking professional to looking like the decision maker

Link to the video here: https://lnkd.in/ga32HJmK

Every successful woman I work with is asking some version of the same question:

“How do I elevate my wardrobe so I actually look like the level I operate at?”

And the question I ask them in return is:

“What exactly makes a wardrobe look elevated and executive instead of just professional?”

Most women can’t answer that.

And that’s the ceiling they keep hitting with their image.

Because they’re doing what everyone assumes is the solution.

- Buying more clothes.
- Better brands.
- More blazers.
- More “work outfits.”

But the wardrobe still doesn’t look elevated.

Last year I worked with a client who had already spent thousands trying to upgrade her work wardrobe.

Her closet was full.

But the image still felt… average.

Professional.
Appropriate.
But not executive.

Because she didn’t know:

• Silhouettes that flatter your body so the outfit looks sharp, not generic
• Fabrics that make clothes look polished instead of flat
• How to mix pieces so the outfit feels elevated, not safe
• The details that turn a typical professional outfit into an executive one

That’s the difference between buying work clothes and building an elevated wardrobe.

At any level of leadership, your image changes when two things happen:

You understand what actually creates an elevated, executive look.

And you start buying and styling with that precision.

Because the same woman can have a closet full of expensive clothes and still look like one of many in the room.

Or she can walk in and immediately look like she’s the one leading it.

This is exactly what I help women in leadership build inside Dress for Impact

It’s not about buying more clothes.

It’s about building a wardrobe that actually reflects the level you already operate at.

-------------------------

This is exactly what I help women in leadership with.
Dressing so that when you walk into the room, people immediately see you as the one in charge. Send me a dm with the word "image" and let's chat about how I can help elevate your professional wardrobe

Everyone thinks they have a shopping problem.

If they just buy better clothes, find the right brands, or finally figure out where to shop, the problem will be solved.

Except shopping is rarely the real problem.

And this is where most women miss the mark.

The real problem is image clarity.

You are focused on finding the next blazer, the next pair of trousers, the next “better piece.”

But you have skipped the part where your wardrobe actually starts working together as a recognizable image.

So you keep buying pieces.

And yet every morning you still feel like you have nothing that works.

Meanwhile, the women who always look polished and authoritative?

They are not constantly shopping.

They simply know exactly what their image is, and every piece they buy fits into it.

They are not trying to reinvent themselves every time they shop.

They built a clear visual brand, and everything supports it.

Think about it like a closet.

👉 Buying more clothes for a closet with no structure will never make dressing easier.

And that is exactly what happens when women focus only on shopping without having clarity on their image.

You can make getting dressed dramatically easier, build a wardrobe that actually works, and stop wasting money on random pieces.

But only if you stop trying to fix the problem with more shopping.

Start with clarity.

That’s where the real shift happens.

If you want to learn how to build a wardrobe that actually reflects the level you operate at, comment IMAGE and I’ll send you the details.

A client of mine recently updated her wardrobe without buying much new.

Within weeks, she was invited to speak on a panel and asked if she was part of the executive team.

At the same time, I see highly accomplished women with 15 to 20 years of experience still being visually positioned as support.

This is the disconnect no one talks about.

- Your resume has grown.
- Your responsibilities have expanded.
- Your title has evolved.

But your image has not evolved at the same pace.

You walk into meetings knowing you’ve outgrown how you currently present yourself.

You look around and realize you don’t visually stand apart.

You sense that your presence doesn’t fully reflect your level.

The natural reaction is to shop.

A sharper blazer.
Better basics.
Higher-quality pieces.

It feels strategic.

But nothing fundamentally changes.

Because the issue was never the quantity of clothing.

It’s clarity.

If your wardrobe still resembles the same corporate uniform as everyone else in the room, you visually blend in.

And when you blend in, you are perceived as part of the group, not necessarily the one leading it.

When a client tells me she got promoted, I don’t automatically celebrate.

I audit.

Does she look like the level she just stepped into?
Would someone recognize her authority before she starts speaking?
Or does she still need to prove it verbally?

This isn’t about style.

It’s about visual leadership positioning.

If you walked into your next board meeting and stayed silent for five minutes, would your appearance clearly signal that you are the decision-maker?

If the answer is not an immediate yes, that’s not a competence issue.

It’s an image clarity issue.

If this resonates, message me IMAGE and let's chat!

The biggest issue women in leadership have with their wardrobe is their expectations.

And I completely understand why.

You spend $400 on a blazer and expect it to:

• Fit you perfectly
• Have a beautiful structure
• Be made from high-quality fabric

But the reality is not that simple.

Unfortunately, many brands cut corners today because their business model is built to produce and sell clothing at scale.

Which means when you spend good money on a piece, it does not automatically mean it will fit well, hold structure, or be worth the investment.

Expecting everything to work perfectly off the rack is simply not realistic.

But there are ways to shop smarter.

There are specific things you can look for that dramatically increase the chances a piece will fit well, hold its shape, and actually elevate your presence.

In my latest video, I break down:

• The real gap between expectations and reality when buying professional clothes
• What to pay attention to so you consistently choose pieces that fit well and look elevated
• The key details that separate a good purchase from an expensive mistake

Here is the link: https://lnkd.in/g52YNbCy

Every woman in leadership I speak to tells me the same thing:

“I want to elevate my wardrobe.”

And then they follow with:

“I need better clothes. Better brands.”

I don’t fully agree.

But I don’t completely disagree either.

Because the problem isn’t better clothes.

The problem is buying better versions of the same things already sitting in your closet.

A more expensive blazer doesn’t change anything if it’s still the same safe outfit.

That’s not an elevated wardrobe.
That’s the same wardrobe with a higher price tag.

If you actually want to elevate your wardrobe, you need:

• Elevated pieces
• Elevated outfits

In my latest video, I break down:

- The 2 shifts that take your wardrobe into leadership territory
- The specific pieces that instantly elevate your presence
- The techniques that take your outfits from professional to executive

Here is the link: https://lnkd.in/gWvJGhyM

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Summer Applegate🍏

Basia Richard

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The Battle

Summer Applegate🍏

Basia Richard

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Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Summer Applegate🍏's LinkedIn Performance

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