Meet Denisse, a 40-year-old mother of 3, wife, entrepreneur, and founder of Unboxed Life and Style and who managed to become what is called a successful “SHE-cession” story. Denisse Espalter, like so many other working moms, was hit financially hard during the pandemic. Many are calling this recession a SHE-cession because of the disproportionate number of women who have been directly impacted. Whether it's due to the fact they work in the industries most impacted, or they were "forced" to walk away from their jobs or cut their hours to tend to the family at home. Denisse is a testament to that as she was working for one of the oldest and most recognized department stores, Lord & Taylor, as a Regional Marketing and Events manager & stylist. Covid hit, and in March of 2020, she lost that amazing job. Feeling lost as she was home now, wearing multiple hats as a mother of 3 girls, a teacher at best with kids being homeschooled, a therapist assisting her children with what the new norm was for all of us. She decided to shift her mindset and launch her new business.
Denisse Espalter, Life & Style Coach & Communications Expert
First off, how are you doing? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am doing great! I, for the first time, feel as if this is finally my time, accepting who I am and allowing myself to be happy! I am in a very good place in my life right now. I currently live in Rochester, NY but grew up in Arizona! I went off to college at the University of Miami. I realized that political science and broadcast journalism were not what I saw myself doing, and I ended up heading out to NYC for a while and started getting involved in the fashion industry. I had the opportunity to work at NY Fashion Week, was part of the Limited Brands design team. I ended up moving back to Miami, where I went back to school and got my degree in Fashion Marketing & Design and started off as a Production Assistant at Miami Fashion Week, Chanel, and landed a job with Perry Ellis. I then moved to Rochester, N.Y. because after searching for that perfect job, I landed a great opportunity with Lord and Taylor, running events across stores and launched a pilot program with personal stylists. I developed relationships with clients and discovered how my own big life experiences was helping other women. From leaving uncomfortable jobs to going through a divorce and how to manage a blended family, I connected with so many.
Once COVID hit, did you have to learn how to pivot your career?
Yes, I was devasted as everything came crashing down. I lost my job, my kids were homeschooled now, and it was a time of unknown. I knew I could do more and wanted to continue a new path on helping women feel good both inside and out. I took the scary leap and launched my company Unboxed Life & Style, and first started with subscription boxes and gifts for women to allow them to feel good during these uncertain times. I had partnered with other women-owned businesses and put together some fun self-care boxes. It then evolved into lifestyle coaching and back to styling women!
Can you tell us a little bit about your book and becoming a best-selling author?
Yes, I was thrilled with I was asked to be a part of one of the biggest author anthologies with 50 other women that came together, and each wrote a chapter. The book is called Everyday Woman’s Guide to Doing What You Love, and I had the amazing opportunity to write a chapter where I talked about my journey and how women need to stop letting fear hold them back. I give some actionable tasks that women can act on. This book brought a group of women to close together that empower each other and hope to do the same for those that read the book! We became 1 selling in New Releases, Spiritual Healing, & Women’s Personal Spiritual Growth. We also hit 1 in Canada Personal Transformation and 1 in Hot New Releases in the UK!
How do you handle the direction your business has gone with now having multiple arms to your business?
I love what I do! When you love what you are doing, you evolve and grow. I also have an amazing support team and husband. My 3 daughters love to help with it comes to packing boxes that have been ordered!
But between the boxes, coaching, and styling, it all goes hand in hand. To unbox the better version of yourself, you must start with what is on the inside first, then move to the outside to showcase your beauty and happiness. That can be with self-care, confidence, and an amazing style! As a woman who went through many multiple life-changing experiences, and one of them now has a blended family, I know what it is like to lose yourself and find yourself again.
What are your personal goals? Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
I would love to continue growing my business and reaching women from around the globe. Starting a platform of empowering women to teach young girls how to believe in themselves, take care of themselves and respect who they are, and learn the value of confidence and growth with a positive mindset. As I have three daughters of my own, I want to empower them and show them that they can achieve so much.
I would love to live by water again and add a ranch with horses to my bucket list as my daughters are obsessed!
What advice would you give someone trying to start their own business?
If you have belief, determination, and support, then go for it. You are given one chance to live your life to the fullest; why not do it with something you are passionate about. I always tell myself and others to go with their gut and what their intuition says. Yes, anything new can be scary, but this is when fear holds us back, and we need to power through and look at it in the rear-view mirror.
What would be 3 business advice you would give to other entrepreneurs?
Always trust your instinct when it comes to what you are feeling and wanting to achieve.
Learn to be grateful for new opportunities, connections, and growth
Stop doubting yourself and stop making excuses. Most people are afraid to take the leap and see what the potential is.
How can people find you and get in touch if they want to work with you?
They can also join my free FB group, where we talk about different topics to help and support each other, have monthly guests, and more.
It was a pleasure, and thank you for taking the time for us to get to know you better.
Thank you, and it was fun! Looking forward to what is ahead and meeting new connections through this platform.
