We had the good fortune of connecting with Kim Apodaca and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kim, what is the most important factor behind your success / the success of your brand?
My greatest lesson that I have learned and continue to learn is to be authentic to ME. Whenever I try to be like someone else, it never works. No one is like YOU, so love yourself and love everything that you have to say and then commit to your story. (ie. Your brand). Another  important factor behind my success is dedicating myself to helping a person feel good about themselves. There is so much judging in the world today, so I am obsessed with  finding a way to help others simply love themselves and enhance their personal brand. Success awaits you just beyond your front door if  you can truly feel confident about yourself and share that energy with the world.

B. How to know whether to keep going or to give up? I feel like giving up all the time! But it is those of us who just keep at it every day that make it happen. On the days that I feel like giving up, I quickly shift my focus on what my purpose is because once you find your purpose, there is no giving up. My purpose is to help others find their maximum potential. To help them feel beautiful and I mean help them find their inner beauty and feel FULL! Not lacking something, like negative thoughts such as, “I need to get thinner”, “They don’t like me”, “I’m getting old” etc. How can one ever survive if they tear themselves down, before they even leave their home? My gift is that I can make anyone feel powerful. We have to stop measuring ourselves against others. It is endless. We will never be happy. We have to measure ourselves against ourselves. How do we feel today? Can we make a better effort tomorrow? Are we being authentic to ourselves, our mission and our inner purpose? When I capture your essence and the “joie de vivre” in an outfit, then your inner beauty shines so bright. This is the power that exudes confidence and that light that no one can ignore.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I was styling celebrities for Red-Carpet Events and I suddenly found myself at a Mommy & Me class almost 14 years ago. I instantly felt this overwhelming urge to help other pregnant women and new moms look better! Honestly, I was shocked at how women didn’t care, or they did, but they didn’t have the energy to wake up and take care of themselves. So, I decided to help them get out of their sweatpants and wear comfortable, easy outfits while feeling beautiful and empowered.

One thing happened after the next and today I have diversified my business to include men and women who find themselves in a rut or who are looking to elevate their personal style and reinvent themselves.

My niche is helping those who are  at a transition in their lives or who have lost their self-value and together we work on helping them rediscover their inner beauty and magnificent energy, hence I started RECHARGE your Style.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
I love LA because of its diversity! One minute you are in chic Beverly Hills and the next you are eating in the edgy art district downtown. I have many guests, so I am always taking people around. The Ultimate Self Love Treat – Facial and Skin Care Spa is Verabella Skin therapy in Beverly Hills. Best place to refresh your skin after travelling. This is run by a mother and daughter duo for over 20 years. They practice old Russian beauty techniques. Lots of Celebs frequent Verabella!Go Greek for frozen yogurt on N. Bedford is my favorite treat after a facial. Abbot Kinney is a wonderful shop & stroll outdoors area. Definitely grab a meal at Plant Food & Wine, since LA boasts the best plant-based cuisine ever! I live in Pasadena, and the old-world charm here in Pasadena is one of LA’s treasures. The Huntington Gardens, Old Town and even a walk along the Arroyo is wonderful. My neighborhood boulangerie is THE BEST – Flower Café or lunch at the Union on Union street. Farm to table dining. Delish. My favorite vintage store is also on Union Street called Clothes Heaven! It has the best Vintage Chanel Collection. Be sure to ask Loraine (store’s owner) what you are looking for and she will have it! If you find yourself in Pasadena at night, stop for a cocktail at the Raymond, best burgers at Little Beast in Eagle Rock or dine at Entre Nous French Bistro. Downtown LA is my favorite playground. Stop at Grand Central Market and try a papusa! Then go to the Row for a beautiful day with independent designers and it has the best scent bar you have ever seen. I love the art gallery Hauser & Wirth in the art district and Manuelas for a cocktail. If I am going to have a night on the town, I like to take my guests to have cocktails at the Ace Hotel top floor, then have dinner at Bavel (Bestia’s sister restaurant) and then desert at BottegaLouie I also love Hotel Figueroa, they have a great vibe and drinks. For the ultimate Shopping experience, you have to go to the South Coast Plaza. There is ample parking or valet and the friendliest luxury boutiques who have the very best. If you have a platinum Amex Card you are welcome to freshen up in the luxurious VIP Lounge, grab some champs on the house or you can hire a stylist to give you the ultimate shopping experience. Perhaps I am a little bias but if you need to hire a personal stylist, I would pick me.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many shout-outs I would have to make. My husband Sebastian & my daughter Siena, who are always full of support and never make me feel guilty when I work on the weekends. They are both so supportive and we celebrate each other’s successes. I think it is so important to have a family that are as excited about your career as you are. As far as other businesses, there have been a few, but right now, the team at South Coast Plaza, have been incredible. South Coast Plaza is a family owned shopping plaza! This sets them apart from any other shopping experience, because they make you feel like you are a member of their family. Shauna Jackson and Deborah Gunn Downing are dynamite. I have never worked with a group of this kind. They support stylists  and constantly bring cutting edge fashion to LA/OC area, as well as ensuring the ultimate luxury VIP experience.

Website: http://www.rechargeyourstyle.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kim_apodaca_style/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rechargeyourstyle

Image Credits
Photographers Molly Torian & Nora Crowell

Nominate someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.