Shelcy Joseph is a freelance fashion writer, event host and content creator based in Brooklyn. She is the co-founder of NYCXCLOTHES, a multimedia platform aiming to center community within fashion media consumption. With an extensive background in editorial writing, digital marketing and e-commerce, she combines her skills to explore the intersection of fashion, business, culture and society. Her work has been recognized on Forbes, WWD and Fashionista. Her writing has appeared on Essence, Forbes, Popsugar and Who What Wear.

💬 What does women’s empowerment mean to you? Why is it important?

Shelcy Joseph: It means giving women the support and mentorship needed to grow into their full selves. It's important as women's contributions to society and across all industries cannot be overstated.

💬 What advice would you give to other women looking to succeed in your industry? What qualities are the most important and what skills should they focus on developing?

Shelcy Joseph: Focus on becoming very good at what you do. Building professional relationships is also key, but good work will always speak louder than anything else.

💬 Tell us about a woman who has influenced your career and how their guidance has impacted your professional growth.

Shelcy Joseph: My mother has always been my biggest champion, and her own career as an educator whose own mother did not know how to read or write, illustrates the drive she's instilled in me from an early age.

💬 How do you handle work-related stress and pressure, and what techniques or practices do you use to maintain your well-being while pursuing a successful career?

Shelcy Joseph: My self-care routine consists of spending time outside, relaxing with a book or engaging with cultural activities around me. I'm lucky to live in New York City where those activities abound.

💬 Can you share any lessons or insights you have gained from failures or setbacks in your career, and how you have turned them into opportunities for growth and learning?

Shelcy Joseph: I've learned that sometimes a no can become a yes in the future, but if it doesn't, it's simply a way of redirecting you to what's right for you.

💬 Can you share any strategies or tips for building a successful network and fostering meaningful professional relationships that have helped you in your career?

Shelcy Joseph: Build a community by hosting events or small gatherings, and don't be afraid to invite the people you admire.

💬 What strategies or tactics do you use for setting and achieving your career goals, and how do you stay motivated and focused on your objectives?

Shelcy Joseph: I read voraciously, talk to my peers, ask questions, and learn as much as I can from every opportunity.

💬 What motivated you to choose your current career field, and what do you find most fulfilling about your work?

Shelcy Joseph: I was the kid who kept a notebook filled with sketches and hosted fashion shows at home for my parents and sisters. That kid cherished the dream of working in fashion someday, but due to the lack of opportunities in Haiti, she pursued a traditional field (neuroscience) when she moved to New York.

Ironically, New York would also be the place that opened her eyes to the possibility of that first dream. While I studied neuroscience in college, I modeled for my school’s magazine, won third place at an essay contest, and launched my fashion media platform NYCXCLOTHES. I also interned at CollegeFashionista and Hearst Magazines, juggling these unpaid opportunities with the hope that they would count for something.

💬 What advice do you have for individuals who are starting their careers or looking to make a career change, based on your own experiences and lessons learned?

Shelcy Joseph: Be curious. Learn what resources are available to you, have mentors who you can seek advice and guidance from, research new opportunities, and for those seeking a career change highlight your transferable skills. No matter what stage of your career you are in, always find ways to invest in yourself.

💬 How do you approach professional development and continuous learning to enhance your skills and stay relevant in your industry?

Shelcy Joseph: I keep up with the mailing lists of schools, universities and cultural institutions.

💬 Can you discuss any significant achievements or accomplishments in your career that you are particularly proud of and what you learned from those experiences?

Shelcy Joseph: One recent accomplishment is launching a fashion club to engage in topics relevant to the industry. Since announcing it in February, I've brought together over 300 people ranging from fashion editors, buyers, historians and entrepreneurs to cultivate a sense of curiosity and critical consumption of fashion media.

💬 How do you balance your career ambitions with other aspects of your life, such as family, hobbies, and personal well-being?

Shelcy Joseph: It goes back to my self-care routine and surrounding myself with people who genuinely want the best for me.

💬 Are there any specific books, podcasts, email newsletters, thought leaders/influencers, or training courses/programs that you would recommend for personal or professional growth?

Shelcy Joseph: I'd always recommend listening or engaging with materials outside of your work as that can enrich your perspective and help you think at the leadership level. As such, I consume a ton of art, fashion, history and culture podcasts.

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