Fashion and Direct Primary Care both require understanding what makes people feel confident and comfortable in their own skin. My typical day involves patient consultations where I help people navigate health choices that affect their self-image—from hormone optimization that impacts skin health to nutrition counseling that influences energy and appearance. The most crucial skills are active listening, trend awareness in health and wellness, and the ability to customize solutions for each person's unique lifestyle and goals. My career journey started with traditional medical training, but the breakthrough came when I realized healthcare is deeply personal—like fashion, it's about helping people express their best selves authentically. Key insight: both industries fail when they prioritize profit over the individual's wellbeing and self-expression. In DPC, we've learned that when patients feel heard, understood, and cared for as whole people, their confidence radiates outward in every aspect of their lives. Great healthcare, like great fashion, should make people feel more like themselves, not less. That's how care is brought back to patients.
Working in the fashion industry offers both excitement and challenges, especially in marketing roles. A typical day begins with reviewing sales data and market trends to strategize campaigns. Successful communication with brand partners and collaboration with design and merchandising teams is crucial for alignment on collections and promotional strategies. Additionally, a significant part of the day involves attending meetings to brainstorm new ideas and initiatives.
A typical day as a tailor at a sustainable menswear company involves alterations, repairs and measurements. With dress shirts, the collars and cuffs tent to wear out first and so by changing them you can make a shirt last longer. A very important skill for anyone who wants to work in fashion is taking accurate measurements. Half an inch is the difference between a collar where you can't button the top button and one that fits just right. This is in part a function of knowing what to measure. For example, to determine a collar's size you would measure the button to from the buttonhole rather than the entire length of the fabric. Another skill that applies to mending is being able to take apart fabric by removing the stitches. Using a seam ripper is helpful since this needs to be done gently in order to preserve the neckline and allow a new collar to be sewn on.
I don't work in clothing design, but grooming and presentation put me right at the edge of fashion. At The Gents Place, we help men stay sharp and carry confidence into every room. Most days, I'm working with franchise partners, handling operational challenges, and improving systems that protect service quality across every location. I spend time with our leadership team reviewing member feedback, adjusting training programs, and testing new product lines that align with our brand. Every detail, from the towel temperature to the texture of the shave cream, has to match our standard. I rely on discipline, decision-making, and clarity. Our brand stands on consistent service, not guesswork. I've learned to hire slowly, hold people accountable, and keep my focus on the guest's experience. Fashion isn't just clothes, it's how someone carries themselves. A poor haircut or rushed shave can ruin a look. We fix that. And we do it while building community. I studied business and learned more from launching this company than I ever could from school. My first jobs weren't in fashion, but they taught me what I didn't want. My big break was committing to this concept during a financial collapse. No back-up plan. Just belief in the model.