We had the good fortune of connecting with Anna Saavedra and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anna, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk is a necessary evil for anyone who is running a self-funded startup. The old saying is true…the bigger the risk, the bigger the reward.

I have had to risk literally everything, and I do mean everything in order to make my business succeed. It’s not just the capital either, capital is just the beginning…what about risking your entire career, reputation, resume AND everything you’ve got in the bank?

Tell me you’re willing to do that on the daily and be crazy enough to believe you can actually make it, and I’ll tell you that might have a shot of making it as a startup in today’s insanely volatile market. You might, and if you’re not willing to do that you have no chance, you have to go ALL in and that’s definitely where I’m at.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’m a personal stylist from Chicago who has always wanted to be able to do what I love in my two favorite places, Miami and Chicago. I moved to Miami in January 2021 and started Saavy Styles 6 months later.

My goal and dream was to one day open my own boutique and eventually start my own line and design swimsuits, but I knew I needed to start small.

Pop-Up shops on Lincoln Road here in Miami and in Chicago parlayed into buying a 1969 Vintage Airstream Trailer 3 months after I launched and at least 1 year ahead of my personal timeline. But opportunity knocked and I bulldozed ahead. After a few hiccups that resulted in some freshening up and a brand-new floor, the Airstream is up and running and being used for Pop-Up shops in Miami and Coral Gables.

Lessons I’ve learned along the way? Just don’t ever give up, there’s lots of ways to be successful and only one way to fail, and that’s if you give up, so just don’t, EVER…no matter how hard it gets.

What would I like people to know? My brand is a representation of me and all the things that I love, I think it shows and that’s why people love it. It’s not about the money or getting rich, it’s about joy, it’s about passion and fun, it’s about FASHION damn it…

My clients have so much fun shopping with me, I can see that they truly feel beautiful and sexy and confident after I’ve styled them, they even stand a little taller, and their joy is contagious. I’m not sure who’s having more fun, but I know this can’t be work and if it is, I never plan to retire!

Meanwhile back in Chicago, Saavy Styles has been hosting Pop-Up shops with Leah Chavie Skincare and SalonDJ and plans are in the works for a Chicago Showroom inside of Leah Chavie Skincare (8 E Chestnut St, Chicago). The Showroom will be called “The Vault, By Saavy Styles” and the opening date is set for this Fall!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would have to hit up all of my favorite neighborhoods and lots of shopping of course! Let’s start at the Beach, Saturday afternoon Lincoln Road Shopping and Brunch at Mila. Then head over to the Design District for more shopping and coffee at the Dior Cafe before we end the day with Dinner at Swan!

Sunday is market day! I love to check out the local Farmers Market or the Lincoln Road Antique Market. Wynwood Marketplace is a good one too plus there’s tons of fun restaurants and bars in the area as well.

During the week we would venture out to Bal Harbor for shopping and lunch at Carpaccio or Le Zoo. Also, have to make time for dinner at all my faves….Faena, One Hotel, Jaya at the Setai, Joia Beach, Cecconi’s at Soho House and Nobu of course!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Dan Uslan (former market president for Modern Luxury Chicago), my favorite mentor who met me at a car wash and gave me a job as the Advertising Director at Michigan Avenue Magazine. His mentorship and guidance has always been a shining light in my life.

Website: www.saavystyles.com

Instagram: saavy.styles

Facebook: Saavy.Styles

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