About

Who are you?

Hi my name is Catherine, a Boston based professional style and image coach.  I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, land of beautiful beaches, friendly people and gorgeous women with dangerous curves. Growing up I was constantly reminded I did not look like everybody else. This would not have been bad if they also had not told me I was too tall, too skinny, not curvy enough, and my hair was ‘too curly’. Every day I wished I was accepted as I was, until 1995, when my family moved to the Boston Area – to say I was not happy about the move would have been the understatement of the century-  I did not speak the language, did not have any friends and did not have a job. I hated it. After a few months of moping around my dad decided maybe I should move back, but I did not think it was a good idea, I needed to make it work – like Tim Gunn would say.

I started taking English as a second language – ESL classes and got myself a part time job at Dunkin Donuts. Almost right away after arriving in Boston, I noticed that people were very complimentary of my long skinny legs and my crazy curly hair. Being different here was not only accepted but appreciated. I immersed myself in the culture, reading every romantic novel I could get my hands on. Yes! I love romantic novels and while I am sharing deep dark secrets, I will also let you know I love country music, and I am a Christian, there, I said it! That feels good…… but I digress, I could not get enough of this American land, where being different was the norm, and where I could stop straightening my hair and start wearing clothes that embraced my style and body type.

After one year of ESL classes, two years at a community college, and two more years at Suffolk University I graduated from college and married an American guy. Four years later I gave birth to the cutest 8.7 lbs. girl I have ever seen. Life was perfect; the dream of a lanky fourteen-year old of moving to the States, going to college and marrying an American actually came true. But why was I so miserable? Why did I keep changing jobs and felt unfulfilled? And why did helping women find their personal style kept calling my name?

Where do your skills come from?

Just like my father, I have a deep love and appreciation for everything clothing related: shopping and finding deals came naturally to me. I even tried my hand at fashion design.  I found myself a great designer in New Hampshire, learned how to sew and started my first business- Catherine’s Designs. I had no idea what I was doing business wise but I loved sewing, fabric, talking to fellow crafters and business owners.

What happens when the inevitable happens?

Unfortunately my husband and I grew apart and when I realized divorce was on the horizon, I got myself a “real job” and forgot my dreams of becoming the next Fashion sensation. It was painful to give up my dream and start again but it needed to be done. While I was still married I figured out I could get paid for sourcing and buying things – something that has always come naturally to me, so I became a corporate buyer. However, I still dreamed of owning my own business, and even though designing was not part of my life anymore, friends, family and people I met at stores kept asking me to help them dress better, to find a dress for a wedding or a job interview.

I still remember the time I went to Saks Fifth Ave during my lunch break years ago and a woman asked me to help her find something at the store. After I politely informed her I did not work at the store, she looked at me as if I had not said a word, insisting I help her. I had to walk away from her but the memory stayed with me.

Why do you want to empower women?

Since I was eighteen years old my aunts would send me money from the Dominican Republic so I could buy summer clothes for them. These were women I had not seen in a long time, and of different ages and sizes but I was able to capture their essence and dress them in a way they felt comfortable and put together at the same time – in my book, there is no point in buying pretty clothes that do not fit or reflect who you really are.

At the bank, tellers would ask me where I found my cute outfit and how much I paid for it, ladies at church would complement my outfits, and everywhere I went, people wanted to know how I did it. It took a while to notice the re-occurring theme: women wanted and needed my help. Women of all ages, sizes, cultures and backgrounds wanted me to dress them. The request was always the same: I want to look like you. They did not mean exactly like me, they were asking for my level of comfort and confidence.

After years of not knowing how to dress myself in ways that complimented my body I came to my own and figured out how to dress my body. I gained the confidence I needed to own my look and be happy with my body, my hair and my love of bright colors. Today I work with women that like my younger self, feel uncomfortable in their own skin, women that are successful at work or their own business, but still don’t know how to dress for success and as the women they want to be.

Why should I work with you?

You might think that worrying about what to wear is frivolous and all that matters is that you have the qualifications to get the job done or be successful in your business or life. However, I could not disagree more, my favorite bible passage is: Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.  We were created by God to live full, happy lives. If you are not comfortable in your own skin, if not knowing how to dress is holding you back from pursuing your goals, dreams and purpose, then you have no choice but to deal with those issues in order to have a full life and fulfill your destiny, whatever that might be. You might want to feed the hungry, open a non-profit organization to help battered women, bring awareness to poverty in the US. Whatever it might be, you have to present your confident, smart, and go-getter self to the world in order to advance your good cause. Once you can stand tall in front of a crowd, once you can deliver a compelling speech without tugging or worrying about your clothes, once you can present the best version of yourself because you have taken the time to figure out your Personal Style, and dealt with all the issues that were holding you back, you will ask yourself: why did I not do this sooner?

Do yourself a favor and quit trying to do it all on your own, you don’t have to. Yes, women are great at multitasking and getting things done but many times we think that it means doing it all alone. You don’t have to figure it all out by yourself. Take the advice of someone that used to be in your shoes and understands your pain points and how to gently and lovingly show you to define your personal style.

Today I get to work with beautiful women, and see their confidence restored, and, more importantly, see them find and better define their style, teach them what to buy and how to put it together and more importantly  I get to help them remove the obstacles holding them back and see them succeed.

Somehow I know my awkward younger self would be proud.

If you are trying to get promoted or already have the job you want but do not know how to dress for it, I can help.

If you want to update your style but are afraid of incorporating color, or the latest trends, I can help.

If you have bought loads of clothes but do not know how to put them together, I can help.

You do not have to be uncomfortable or wear things that are not you in order to look good in the office. It is possible to be put together and be taken seriously within your comfort zone and style, you just need someone that will listen to your needs, work within your budget, and give you tools to dress for success.

I believe every woman is beautiful, and deserves to look her best.

Who are my clients?

I work with successful women like you, women that have achieved high success, have studied and worked hard to be where they are and want guidance to define her personal style and learn how to dress.

I work with women ready to follow my guided process of self-discovery and healing of self (healing means to make whole and accept all parts of self). Having said that, I have worked with both women and men in different professions see a sampling below:

What separates your services from other style/image coaches’?

What makes me different from other style/image coaches is that I used to have self-image issues; I too did not know how to dress for my body or what my personal style was. I still remember what it was like to feel uncomfortable in my own skin, so I can empathize with my clients who struggle with the same issues I used to struggle with, and I can provide a safe space for us to uncover your own personal traumas and issues and move forward.

What type of personality do you (or do I depending on your choice) work best with and what is expected of me?

My programs were created for women serious and ready to discover their personal style. People that no longer want to use excuses to hide behind ill fitting, dull clothes and are ready to thrive and to follow the loving advice of someone that used to be like them.

I am an action-driven, no-nonsense kind of woman, as my family and friends know – I work well with women that are ready to shine and are also action-driven and no-nonsense.

The people that work with me are expected to take this process seriously and to allow me to guide them through a self-discovery and self-love process. I love willing and eager clients who are ready to live their lives on purpose and to discover their personal style.

Who is not an ideal client?

I do not work well with people that are not serious about their personal growth, unmotivated individuals that require dragging or pushing, un-motivated, half-empty glass kind of mentality. People who are constantly late or make excuses for not getting their work done or who feel the world is out to get them. I am very selective when it comes to choosing my clients; I enjoy my business and want to spend my time working with like-minded people.

What type of services/programs do you offer?

I have three private coaching programs that range from three to six months in length. Each program is designed to help you define your personal style, teach you what to and where to shop, and most importantly, teach you to understand the patterns that keep you from presenting yourself wholly and fully to the word.

Have these programs worked for other people?

Oh yes, my clients learn what their personal style is, what styles look best on them, where and how to shop. They eliminate old patterns and their confidence is built/ Add testimonial here.

What results can I expect?

How quickly can I expect results?

My clients see amazing results from our first session – The Closet Rehab – they are able to let go of years of history and baggage, making physical and emotional space for new and better fitting clothes that fit not only their body but their lifestyle.

The longer we work together, the more long term your results will be. If we stopped at the Closet Rehab stage, you would certainly have huge benefits, however you would not fully learn why you buy and wear the clothes you buy. When you sign up for the long term program, you will learn the reasons why you hide behind the wrong clothes, and how to accept and love yourself as you are.

After reading all of this, and watching your videos, I know I want to work with you…..what are my options to work with you?

First of all, congratulations on deciding to put yourself first, I am very excited and eager to work with you.

I suggest we start with the get acquainted call, where we can get better acquainted and discuss the areas you would like to improve.

Do you accept credit cards?

Yes, I do.

Awesome, how do we get started?

Fabulous, one of the traits of a successful person is confidence, and the work we are about to embark on will restore your confidence, organize your closet, and help you accept and love yourself.

So what happens next? Click HERE to schedule a call with me so we can discuss any remaining questions you may have.

I cannot wait to get in your closet and get started on this amazing journey to self-discovery and confidence building.