Liz Teich | A Stylist On The Surprising Shifts After Motherhood & The Unexpected Pause
by Neha Ruch
If you participate in or follow along with New York motherhood, entrepreneur or fashion communities you likely have met Liz Teich. She has a playful, confident, and equally realistic lens to all of it that draws many (me included) to her. Liz’s career in styling evolved in motherhood, and she shares below how it surprised her and allowed her to find her voice and her niche in her styling work and social media. Below, she adds the perspective of a business owner who pushed through 2020 when she welcomed her second child at the beginning of the pandemic and found herself recalibrating on the unexpected pause, how to take care of herself and ask for help to re-emerge again.
1. I absolutely love how your brand and business is multi-dimensional - both in styling and content. What shifts did you make in your work life to make room for motherhood after you had your first son?
Thank you! I actually completely shifted my career because my priorities and lifestyle changed. I was so focused on my career as a commercial stylist, securing major campaigns for retailers, and when I had my son, it was like the pinnacle of my profession. I was terrified to tell my clients and agents that I was pregnant because I thought they’d stop hiring me, be disappointed in me, and that they would think I’d lose my edge and even want to not take on as much. I was shocked to find that (mostly) everyone was so happy and supportive in the industry.
At the same time, I began to be picky about who and what I worked for. I weeded out some of my clients, choosing to work for ones who didn’t give me a hard time when I said I needed to go to the bathroom (hello, pregnancy!) or pump. The first time around, I found myself apologizing for these things and working through discomfort. The second time around, if someone offered me a stool to sit on while working (sitting is seen as a sign of not being busy in my industry), I even accepted that.
When I became a mom, my perspective as a Blogger/Content Creator also shifted. I was doing that on the side for fun and happy to get free products, but I started to know my self-worth being a mother—time is money, and my time is valuable. I also have such a unique perspective in the industry as both an authority in fashion and in the parenting space, making me even stronger at this aspect of my career. I began to find my voice and niche as a result.
Through social media, I gained quite a following of New York moms who were going through the same experiences as me, navigating motherhood and balancing a career. I started to have moms around the city ask for my help with their wardrobes, so I decided to create a personal styling business in conjunction with everything I do. I began meeting with local moms and doing “Closet Cleansing,” which helps them edit and focus on their wardrobes, making it easier to get dressed every day.
During the pandemic, this expanded to a virtual business, working with moms all over the country. I’ve also connected with SO many more moms nationally after giving birth to a baby during the pandemic, so I’ve been helping new moms navigate both their wardrobe AND their life during this time, which I love. It’s really been amazing to see the shift in my career in the last 4-5 years, and I can’t wait to see what the next 5 bring.
2. I know this year was a strange one and you had your second baby in the mix (!!) - what had to give? How do you think this period has made you recalibrate on your work and home rhythms?
SO much has had to give, but I’ve also gained so much. I had to essentially pause my career because I gave birth in the beginning of the pandemic. I tried looking at it as extended maternity leave, but it was difficult not to hustle more as a result. I signed with a new styling agency and even pushed my social media more. I didn’t give myself a break. I also didn’t have childcare with the two kids for most of the year, so I kind of was on the verge of a breakdown. Someone also told me that a client was considering me for a job, and someone said, “oh, she just had a baby, so she’s probably not working.” This was close to a year postpartum, I just got vaccinated, and I was eager to get back, so it was quite a gut punch. I’m working on giving myself grace more, and realizing that this time at home with my kids, even if I’m hustling behind the scenes and not getting paid for it, is such a blessing.
I’ve also been working on not being afraid to ask for help from family and eventually hiring a part-time sitter. The past few months of having that has been such a weight lifted off my shoulders, and I’m finding it easier to balance it all and value my time with both work and home even more.
3. For mothers exploring personal styling and/or content creation during their career pause, can you offer simple ways to learn and get "in" to the mix?
Oh man, I’m not sure if there’s a “simple” way to do it. I’ve been styling for 14 years and blogging for 10, so it’s been a journey and a lot of hard work to get to the point where I am. Just starting something and surrounding yourself with people who can mentor and advise you is always a good way to explore something new like these paths. The great thing about content creation is that everyone is essentially an influencer and everyone has a unique voice, so you need to find it and do it.
4. Self-care can feel over played but I know you agree it is important and affects how you show up - what does it look like for you?
Self-care is such a struggle for me at times, especially during the pandemic, but it all stems from asking for help. Some days, I say to my husband I need a workout or to take time to do something for me, and I’m lucky he’s supportive of that, luckily. Even if I don’t have the help, I’ll involve my kids, whether it’s taking a walk for some fresh air or having my son “workout” with me—which isn’t relaxing, but it gets the job done!
5.We also share a love for community building and I admire how you nurture and grow your relationships. For women looking to network personally and professionally, where would you suggest they begin?
I’m such a big believer in nurturing and growing relationships both professionally and just as a mother. We are so lucky that we are currently able to connect virtually and expand our network. I find that Instagram has such a strong community for moms, and I’m so grateful to have connected with so many this past year online! Meeting other like-minded women through amazing accounts like Mother Untitled has been such a gift because we can commiserate together and also share stories and advice. It’s amazing to find other working (in and out of the home) moms who want to lift each other up, especially during this past year.
One of my favorite places to network is through HeyMama, which is a networking community for “mompreneurs.” I love going to their events, and even during the pandemic, their virtual events. Being a member of that has helped me both emotionally and professionally a great deal.
QUICK CHIT CHAT
A product you'd gift to every mother: Would a clone count? We all need one of those! JK.
Pure Sol under eye masks are one of my favorite gifts to give moms—even if we’re tired, we can look well-rested. It’s also a mom-owned small business, which I love supporting.
Ideal date night (location or activity):
We sadly haven’t gotten too many of these in the past year or so, but my husband and I just finally took a staycation at the One Hotel in Brooklyn and enjoyed walking around, going to our favorite spots, and even walking over the Brooklyn Bridge with coffee in the morning. It was such a delight after a year of losing sight of us.
Family travel destination you loved:
We took a trip to Ireland when my son was 18 months and it was magical! I highly recommend it once it’s safe to travel again. Here’s more on our trip: https://thenewyorkstylist.com/travel-like-a-local-in-ireland/
3 Instagram accounts you're inspired by:
@motheruntitled (does this count as one?? I just love everything you do and share, especially promoting other moms and lifting each other up)
@notsafeformomgroup (The founder, Alexis, is a true inspiration and created this space for other moms to talk about the hard stuff you don’t see on the usual mom groups).
@Bethanyciotola (I’m just so amazed by her, how real she is and how effortlessly she raises four humans—all boys—with a sense of humor and grace)
@lbreneman (my stylist friend and former Brooklyn neighbor who moved to Switzerland with her family and is a crafting queen. She gave up her career to support her husband's but is creating such amazing projects and documenting her time over there that I think everyone should follow her!)
You can follow more from Liz on Instagram.
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