In this Business Blast episode, host Tyler Wagner interviews stylist and fashion entrepreneur Hilde Fossen. Hilde shares a vivid personal story about snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, using it to illustrate how fear can block rewarding experiences. She explains her core expertise: color psychology and a practical "color snap" method where clients photograph themselves in natural light to discover which hues enhance their appearance. Hilde offers broader business counsel, urging listeners to leave the comfort of their "small town"—both geographic and online—to seek diverse communities and avoid echo chambers. She advises aspiring entrepreneurs to launch a business early rather than staying in corporate roles, emphasizing the personal growth that comes from owning ideas. Hilde describes her happiest moments as being in a creative flow state where time disappears. She recommends reading fiction, specifically "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," to sharpen storytelling skills for branding. Her favorite personal quote, "Dress like every day is your birthday," underscores how style boosts confidence and productivity. The episode concludes with a plug for her website, getstyleconfidence.com, where listeners can access her styling services.
Chapters
Welcome to the Business Blast podcast. I'm your host, Tyler Wagner. This episode is brought to you by Authors Unite. Authors Unite provides you with all the resources you need to become a successful author. You can learn more about Authors Unite and join the free community at authorsunite.com. Now let's jump into the episode.
Alright everyone, welcome back to another episode of the Business Blast podcast. I'm your host Tyler Wagner. Today I have Hildy Fawson with us. She is the go-to stylist for women entrepreneurs and former fashion designer and design teacher. So welcome to the show, Hildy.
Thank you so much for having me, Tyler.
Of course, pumped to have you on. We'll dive in. The first question that I have for you is is what is the best story from your life that has an underlying valuable message?
Okay, so let me tell you, uh, back when my husband and I went to the Barrier Reef in Australia, we went all the way from Norway, such a long travel. And, uh, when we came out there, you know, when you look at the map, it looks as if the reef is close to the coast, but in real life it's like you get out there and you're in open sea. And, you know, I live in Norway, the water is really cold and we got all these slimy seaweed everywhere. I'm not that good of a swimmer and it just scared me to swim like 300 feet away from the boat right out into the ocean. And everyone else left the boat, you know, I was the last one left. And they make you do these disgusting things like spit in your mask and you have to wear those big flippers and everything. And I was like, oh my God, but you know, I traveled across the world. I have to do this. So I was in the water. I was scared shitless. I was like, okay, I might die right here and now, but at least it's sunny. But when I came out there and I stuck my head in the water, It was such a shock, you know, it was just like being in an aquarium. A thousand blue fish right there, 2,000 yellow ones, you know, little goldfish swimming up to your face and trying to eat your hair because the fish thought my hair was food. It was so fantastic. And thinking I was a weak swimmer, I was out there for an hour because it was just so So, so, so magnificent. And I just think this story just shows you how many amazing things you're missing out on because of fear.
Yes. And what is the most valuable piece of information we should know that is within your expertise or industry?
Okay, so I style women when it comes to fashion, and both for men and women, which kind of colors you wear is the most important thing. If you wear good colors, people would love you because of color psychology, and you're going to look a younger and a lot better. And an easy way to find out which colors look good on you is to use Hilda's color snap technique. This is where you take your smartphone and some color things from around the house, you go to a window so you get lots of natural light in your face, then you snap a lot of photos sort of wearing different colors. And when you see those photos on your phone, you can easily see which colors look good on you and which don't. It's much easier to judge photo, then just judge what you look like in the mirror.
Mm, got it. I am going to try that. That is a very cool technique. And what is your best piece of overall business advice? So not necessarily industry specific.
Okay, so I will urge everyone, including myself, to get out of your small town. A lot of my friends are online entrepreneurs and we live all over the world. So, but that small town principle applies to our online communities as well. It's so easy easy to follow certain teachers and to be a part of a certain community, and then you get stuck in the ways that they think, and you don't remember that the world is so much bigger than that one community. So I'm actually seeking out completely new online towns so I can learn more and meet new exciting people who will teach me things that I hadn't even thought I needed to learn.
And if you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would that be?
That would definitely be to start a business and not stay in a corporate job for so long. You know, I was a fashion designer. That's a really, really fun job. And I moved to London, I worked in lots of different European countries. But starting your own business, you learn so much about yourself. You have no choice but to grow as a person. And what's really good is that you can really take your ideas and implement them, and you're not dependent on other people's approval.
And in your opinion, what is the key to happiness?
I'm absolutely happiest when I'm in that flow state. When I'm working creatively, time flies. I have no idea that 6 hours have past, but I just feel so happy and to be working and to be a part of maybe something that's bigger than myself and really get the creative juices flowing.
And what is the best book that you've read and what was the number one thing you learned from that?
Okay, so the last few years I've read so many business books, so I'm going to mention something else, and that's So I'm going to encourage everyone to read more fiction because when you have a brand, everyone talks about storytelling, storytelling in emails, your brand story and your personal stories and all of that. And in order to get good at that, then fiction is the best thing, of course. And my favorite right now is actually "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney. This is a really, really funny series about a 12-year-old boy. And I have a 12-year-old son, and when you're 12, you're so old that you think you know everything, and you start projects and you do all these things as you become more independent, but you're not old enough to really get everything, so you end up in all kinds of crazy situations because you're not old enough to have the experience and you're not old enough to think everything through to the end. And what I love about that book is that he completely captures the way this kind of person talks and thinks, which is exactly what we all need when we want to communicate with our target market.
Yes, that is a very unique point of view there. I like that. And what is your favorite quote and why?
Okay, I'm going to be, um, a bit different because I'm going to use my own quote. My best quote is, "Dress like every day is your birthday." Because dressing really well really increases your confidence, you work more productively, you stand up straight, you're more confident when you're trying to sell, and you might be feeling happier and better about yourself.
Yes, thank you so much for coming on, Hildi. The last question I have for you before we let you go is where's the best place for people to find you online?
Okay, so you can find me at getstyleconfidence.com.
Perfect. Thank you again for coming on. We appreciate it.
The podcast you just heard was recorded with Anchor. If you want to make your own, download the Android or iOS app completely free from anchor.fm/podcast. That's anchor.fm/podcast.
