The steadfast stylepreneur

Stylish Feline Soria wears the core values of patience and perseverance with pride

By Deneb Batucan

 

DYNAMIC and energetic, Feline Soria is force to be reckoned with. An effortless people person, she projects a kind of confidence that is welcoming and even endearing. It’s no wonder why the proprietor of Let’s Stylize is well-loved by her clients. And when the clients are happy, business is definitely booming.

Let’s Stylize is an online apparel shop that Feline single handedly worked from the ground up for four years now. As a hands-on business owner, she handles everything from purchasing items from Bangkok to conceptualizing designs for her eponymous ready-to-wear collections Feline, to pricing and client meet-ups. The key to her success? Persistence.

“In all my endeavors, especially in line with my business, persistence has always been my armor against all odds that come my way. Many have told me that I spend so much time working, that I extend too much of my patience in waiting for my customers, and that I take so much time, effort and investment in marketing. But for me, persistence when things are at their hardest is the key to success. Giving up should never be an option,” she said.

Yet there were times when Feline felt like giving up. When she started Let’s Stylize, she was working as a nurse as well. These two important things in her life were taking so much of her time that she wasn’t taking care of herself already. She started to get sick from lack of rest. She had to choose between pursuing nursing or to stay focused in her business.

“I couldn’t just leave nursing since I also consider it as one of the things that fulfill my inner being… But I also want to pursue my business because it’s a passion for me,” she mused. “But as they say, you can’t have it all.”

And so Feline chose to focus on the business, but making such a difficult decision between two endeavors she loved doing took its toll. She felt lost and burned out deciding whether to leave her nursing career, and this led to depression. “It took me roughly six months to decide. I had battles within myself. I consulted the Divine Providence. Shocking as it may seem to most, but the answer to my question led me to choose business,” Feline said, explaining that the business profession is a form of service to others as well. “Also, it uplifts my soul, my being. I love dealing with different people and clients, with suppliers, with teammates and my production team,” she added.

Creative flow

For Feline, when one is in the clothing business, one should be in with the trends but should never be constrained to these. Creativity should always be flowing. She also believes that money shouldn’t be the main goal when doing business.

“Yes, it is essential to sustain production, but it shouldn’t be just that at all. The returns from the business should help you grow, should help others grow, too, and should bless other people and those around you. The moment I had the grasp of that mindset, I knew that being a businesswoman was my calling,” she said.

This is why tithing is important to Feline. “To tithe is to give 10 percent of your income to God. I believe that giving back blesses me more,” she said. When she tithes, she lifts up a petition, and she swears that God has always positively answered her.

Good service is also essential to Feline. “You sell your products, yes you do. But you will sell best when you’re service is at its best as well,” she shared. Feline shared how her clients would commend her for her great customer service, which is one of the things that she takes prides of in doing her business.

Drive

Let’s Stylize makes Feline the busiest bee, especially in the coming months. Aside from her online shop, she and her team will be joining bazaars all the way to December. Let’s Stylize participated in the Sugbo Mercado last Sept. 18 and 19, and will join anew on Sept. 25 and 26, Oct. 2 and 3, and Oct. 9 and 10 from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Feline Soria is a self-confessed go-getter — she can’t handle not having anything to do. But what drives her to do all these? May it be traveling, serving her community at The Feast and Light of Jesus, being with her family or building up her business, she does everything and anything for the Lord.

“For every decision making I encounter, whether in my personal life or in business, I always make sure I consult God first because I do believe that He must come first in all my dealings,” Feline shared.

Photos: Alfred Gregory E. Bartolome
Make-up Artist: Carlo Damolo
Hair Stylist: Jerwin Bastatas