Changing Boulder: Meet Liz Finkelstein of Mile High Style

mile high style boulder
I’m not fashion forward.

And by that I mean, my wardrobe consists of about 33 pieces of clothing and 99% of them are made of cotton or fleece.

The other morning my 7 year-old daughter was looking through my closet, and then back at me, and then back to my closet. What came next was a lot of sighing and eye rolling.

She said, “Mom, I think you should wear something nice today…like this dress.” Naturally the dress she was holding up was more nightgown than “dress” so it wasn’t necessarily a bad idea, however, I already had my PJs on from 3 weeks before, I mean the night before, and it seemed a waste to dress up for my basement. So the PJs stayed put and were in fact still on my body when I dialed up Liz Finkelstein, stylist extraordinaire and owner of Mile High Style to learn more about her work and business. I wondered if she could feel my lack of fashion sense oozing through the phone.

I had been hearing Liz’s name around town for quite a while and my friends who have used her services rave about her; so, I thought the readers of Your Boulder deserved a behind the scenes look at what it takes to get Boulder styled from A to Z.

Here’s what Liz had to say about style, doing business in Boulder, and the best Brunch spot in town.

How did you get into the style business and what made you want to start your own business in Boulder?

I’ve been interested in fashion my whole life. I always saw my mom as the epitome of style, not because she followed every trend, but because she knew her body, she knew what felt good on her, and she knew how to put colors and textures together.

So, even though I had my sights set on a career with the FBI, my desire to make things beautiful followed me wherever I went. It also got me in trouble in all my jobs because I couldn’t follow the ‘dress code’. In my spare time, I helped friends who needed makeovers, I took tiny New York apartments and filled them with personality and more usable space, and more importantly, I helped people feel better about themselves.

In 2009, shortly after moving to Boulder, I decided to make my passion into my profession. Back then, most people who helped others in this way called themselves “image consultants.” I wanted to take a different approach and instead of focusing just on how individuals looked, I wanted to weave that style through every aspect of their life including their home, their office and anywhere else they spent time. Fortunately for me, that’s what my clients wanted too and my business took off.

What are your big goals for MHS?

I want to keep growing and help move Boulder forward regarding how we view fashion and personal style. Boulderites work really hard on their bodies so why not learn how to best show them off! I also want to continue to spread the message that personal style matters; it’s not the *only* thing that matters, but it does matter to how you feel, how you carry yourself, how you interact with the world.

What kinds of clients do you work with? What problems do you help them solve?

While I work with people of all ages and all backgrounds, many of my clients are working mothers between the ages of 35-45. Many of these women have found it challenging to transition from the style they embraced in their 20s to what feels good to them today in their late 30s and 40s. They have kids, jobs, and busy lives but they also want to look good and for their homes to be inviting, beautiful, and to represent how they feel on the inside. I love being part of that transformation.

What do you do differently than other stylists?

By offering services for your self, your home, and your office/work space, I approach style as something that encompasses every aspect of who you are. If you work with me, it’s not just about ‘appearing’ to be stylish, but hopefully about truly embracing it from the inside out, or the outside in- whichever comes first.

What are the three things that stand out about living in Boulder versus other cities you’ve lived?

The focus on community, the natural beauty and how it impacts the style of people and the spaces they inhabit, and the openness of our population and how committed they are to improving themselves in every aspect of their lives.

If someone is new to Boulder, what are a few must-see destinations in town?

Many of the restaurants (too many good ones to name), Chautauqua, and Mt. Sanitas.

When you meet with your clients, what are your favorite eat-and-meet destinations in town?

Boxcar and Brasserie Ten Ten. Brasserie is one of the few places that stays open between lunch and dinner service so I’ve spent many lovely afternoons there drinking wine or coffee and catching up with clients and friends.

What are your 5 favorite go-to shops in Boulder?

Willow

Chelsea

Common Threads

Cedar & Hyde

Art & Soul

Best brunch spot?

Easy. Brasserie Ten Ten.

Your favorite “inside tip” to share with people who are considering starting a business in Boulder?

Get in touch with other business owners who do what you do or who serve your ideal clients and take them out to lunch. Get involved, nurture those relationships, and give, give, give! The Boulder community welcomes and loves new business and they really do want to help you. They aren’t too busy or cynical like they are in some big cities. Everyone in Boulder is so much more accessible and ready to help. It’s just one of the reasons I love not only living here but having a business here as well.

Want to keep track of Liz and Mile High Style? Here’s how:

Check out how Liz can help you get styled.

Follow Mile High Style on Instagram.

Follow Mile High Style on Twitter.

Follow Mile High Style on Pinterest.

Follow Liz on Facebook.

Follow the Mile High Style Blog.

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Melani Dizon

Melani Dizon

Melani Dizon is a copywriter, media producer, and cornerstone content provider who helps brands improve their rep, boost their platform, ramp up sales, and make their small businesses big. When she’s not writing or working with clients, she's running the trails, practicing yoga, and dreaming up other topics to write about. Or making cookies. Find out more at DontYouKnow.biz..
Melani Dizon

Melani Dizon

Melani Dizon is a copywriter, media producer, and cornerstone content provider who helps brands improve their rep, boost their platform, ramp up sales, and make their small businesses big. When she’s not writing or working with clients, she's running the trails, practicing yoga, and dreaming up other topics to write about. Or making cookies. Find out more at DontYouKnow.biz..

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