Interview with Allison Hamilton-Rohe, Personal Style Coach

Interview with Allison Hamilton-Rohe: Initial Thoughts

I've started to do The Invisible Mentor interviews again. Once I get back on track, I'll have them on the blog weekly. I'm not there yet. For starters, I'll be doing email interviews, then I'll move to doing them using Zoom. The first interview is with Allison Hamilton-Rohe, a Personal Style Coach. Allison and I are both members of Ellevate Network, a global network of professional women supporting each other. A major goal of the organization is to close the gender achievement gap.

Questions to Ponder

1. When was the last time you read a book about someone from another culture?
2. What steps are you taking to make a difference in the world?
3. Describe success! What does success mean to you?

Part One: Introduction – Interview with Allison Hamilton-Rohe

Avil Beckford: In a couple of sentences, tell me a little bit about yourself.

I'm a Personal Style Coach.  I help you translate what makes you amazing into a personal style you inhabit with ease.  I'm also a wife, Mom, sister and friend!

Avil Beckford: What’s a typical day like for you?

I'm not a morning person, so I start with meditation.  I drink some tea outside in my garden, then begin to engage with the world.

If my husband's away, I manage the kids' morning and help them get out the door to school, walk our Doodle rescue, then shower & dress.

On a work-from-home day, I have all my tasks scheduled out via Asana and work through them, taking client calls, writing or helping my group class clients through their programs.

Out styling or networking, I stack appointments and make sure to take breaks along the way.  I hate to rush.  Then, it's back home for checking in on homework, making dinner and sitting down with my family.

While the kids are on their way to bed, we walk the dog, then take some time to relax and watch great show before going to bed, reading and getting good sleep!

Avil Beckford: Tell me about your big break and who gave you.

I haven't really had one!  I've definitely been privileged to get a good start in life and am very, very grateful for everything that's happened along the way, but I'm not yet where I want to be.

Part Two: Career – Interview with Allison Hamilton-Rohe

Avil Beckford: What big steps did you take to succeed in your field? What is one step or action you have consistently taken that has contributed the most to your success?

I've always been a risk-taker and unafraid to pursue my passions, but my most consistent action is:

• Putting in the work.
• Asking for feedback, incorporating it.
• Pursuing growth step-by-step.

Avil Beckford: Tell me something that you consider to be important about the work you do that others can learn from?

At the most basic level, everyone wants love and acceptance.  I give that to my clients and encourage them to learn how to give it to themselves.  Each of us is unique and special and I teach my clients how to honor their particular brand of awesome and convey it, so they are in control of the narrative.

Part Three: Life – Interview with Allison Hamilton-Rohe

Avil Beckford: Describe one of your biggest failures. What lessons did you learn, and how did it contribute to a greater success?

Oh, so many!  The one that comes to mind is losing my first job out of university.  I had been working at Cornell Cinema for my work-study job, the director left, and the assistant director was promoted.  She hired me to take her job.  I was so excited about having a job, I didn't ask about training or how we would handle the transition.

I knew a lot about film and film-making, but nothing about running a cinema!  It was quickly apparent she needed someone who already had done the job to take her place!  Since it was my first real job, however, I felt terrible about her firing me.  It took me a long time to realize that it was really nobody's fault — sometimes people just make mistakes!

Avil Beckford: What’s one of the toughest decisions you’ve had to make and how did it impact your life?

My toughest decision to-date was to leave The Netherlands, where we were living as expats, and move back to the US.  On first blush, it seems simple:  there was no appropriate school for my daughter.  But, my husband loved his job and we all enjoyed the benefits of living in the EU.  In the end, it was the right decision for our future, but it was tough to walk away from a pretty fabulous present.

Avil Beckford: What are three events that helped to shape your life?

1. First and foremost, I was lucky enough to have great parents. They valued me, valued education and I got to experience living in other cultures since my Dad was in the Foreign Service.
2. Secondly, I'm blessed with intelligence, the ability to work hard and be persistent and a burning desire to make the world a better place.
3. Finally, I was born at a time when girls and women are beginning to be valued as equals both under the law and in many aspects of our culture. There's a lot of work to be done, obviously, but I feel lucky to be alive right now and to have the privilege to fight for full equality — and equity.

Avil Beckford: What’s an accomplishment that you are proudest of?

I've created a simple, yet powerful formula for you to create your authentic personal style.

Avil Beckford: What are five life lessons that you have learned so far?

1. Say thank you.
2. Focus on the positive.
3. Work hard.
4. Be humble yet own your worth.
5. Always tell the truth.

Avil Beckford: Which one book had a profound impact on your life? What was it about this book that impacted you so deeply?

A Woman Is No Man: A Novel

Most recently, “A Woman Is No Man” by Etaf Rum was a brilliant read.  It allowed me to go inside the life of a Palestinian female refugee and experience her frustrations, her yearnings and her fierce triumphs.  Feeling her feelings reinforced my passion to help women realize their own power.  I love to read, so that could change next week. 🙂

Avil Beckford: Complete the following, I am happy when…..

I'm doing my work, laughing with my husband, hugging my kids, walking our dog in the woods, meditating, sitting in the sun, feeling the breeze, experiencing great art, eating delicious food, spending time with my loved ones or exploring new places.

Interview with Allison Hamilton-Rohe: Final Thoughts

If you're interested in learn more about Personal Style Coach, Allison Hamilton-Rohe, you can visit her website Daily Outfit.

Allison Hamilton-Rohe Book Recommendation

Woman Is No Man

In case you missed these recent posts!

Learn This 1 Skill In 2 Months That Will Actually Make You Succeed In Your Career
Smartcuts: How Hackers, Innovators and Icons Accelerate Success