HER Style Podcast | Ep. 266

From 29 Years in Uniform to a Confident and Colorful Signature Style: Lisa’s HER Style Collective Success Story

Date: August 21, 2025
Host: Heather Riggs
Guest: Lisa McLeod

Episode Overview

This episode is an inspiring success story featuring Lisa McLeod, a HER Style Collective participant who spent 29 years in the Air Force and then shifted to a remote career—roles that left little space for personal style. Lisa vividly shares her journey from wardrobe chaos and self-doubt to finding her signature style, embracing color, and stepping out with confidence, both in everyday life and as she launches her wellness business. The conversation covers Lisa’s transformation, the pivotal role of color analysis, practical steps that shifted her style confidence, and the supportive environment of the HER Style Collective program.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Lisa’s “Before” Wardrobe: Uniforms, Chaos, and Overwhelm

• Background: Lisa’s adult life involved uniforms (military and remote work), and she never cultivated a personal style.
• Her closet was “full of clothes and nothing to wear,” which she described as “chaos” ([02:23]).

  “I had a full closet, and, you know, the typical. I have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear. So it was. It was chaos, I would call it.” — Lisa, 02:23

The Search for Guidance: Why Lisa Joined the Collective

• Lisa experienced an internal transformation after a health journey but didn’t know how to reflect this outwardly.
• She discovered Heather through another podcast guest appearance, participated in a “boot camp,” and was drawn to the program’s focus on personalized color analysis ([03:33]-[04:51]).

  “I had kind of been thinking about looking for a stylist, because I didn’t even know where to...begin with my own personal style.” — Lisa, 03:33 “One of the items that really drew me in was the colors that you do colors. And so I’ve been having issues, too, with my colors as I’ve matured…” — Lisa, 04:51

The Magic of Color and Closet Audits

• Color analysis and closet auditing dramatically simplified Lisa’s wardrobe, cutting it in half and making it easier to get dressed confidently every day ([05:48]-[06:48]).

  “I would say I got rid of half my wardrobe from going through the collective through your closet audit...Really knowing that just about everything in my closet is something that looks good on me…and the contrast are the two biggest things.” — Lisa, 05:48

• Knowing her personal colors (especially her eye color) and contrast levels became Lisa’s “secret weapon.”

  “Color is really my number one thing that I think about. Really. And the contrast and how it matches. Because even if the style, I don’t feel like it’s my best. If the color is good, then… you can pull it off, right?” — Lisa, 08:56

Real-World Wins: Ease, Compliments, and Confidence

• Lisa recounted her first intentional shopping trip to Nordstrom Rack, where a five-minute outfit (jeans, top, and earrings) brought her unprompted compliments from store staff ([07:28]-[08:31]).

  “She just mentioned how my outfit matched my eyes, how it was so coordinated, and it just made me feel really confident and that, oh, what I’m doing does make a difference...” — Lisa, 07:28

• People noticed her transformation: an old acquaintance contacted Lisa’s daughter after years to say she looked “radiant” ([08:56]-[10:02]).

Elevation in Business and Everyday Life

• With newfound confidence, Lisa took bolder steps in her wellness coaching business, from her first professional photo shoot to networking conferences ([11:01]-[12:16]).

  “Working with you individually for some of my outfits and then what I had learned in the collective, I felt confident about what I was wearing and how I looked. So that part made me more confident going into the photo shoot than I would have.” — Lisa, 11:01

• A previously “overwhelmed” Lisa began to move from behind the scenes to public-facing roles.

  “I just feel more confident…it’s amazing though, that just little tweaks...how big a difference that can make in the confidence you feel as you’re going out and about, even if it’s just wearing, running errands, and then…the confidence changes your vibe and interacting with people.” — Lisa, 13:22

The Role of Community and Ongoing Tools

• The HER Style Collective community provided camaraderie and support from other women, which Lisa found as valuable as the practical tools ([15:13]).

  “The people in the collective, the other women were so supportive and nice and very encouraging…But I think when it comes down to it, the colors that you did for us… and the contrast…really help.” — Lisa, 15:13

• The program’s resources (Pinterest, closet audits, budget planners) are ones Lisa continues to use beyond her initial 90 days ([19:43]).

Advice for Prospective Members

• Lisa acknowledged her initial skepticism about group style programs but emphasized the robust personal attention and lifelong value.

  “I did have some reservations… I thought a online style course and in a group versus one on one setting, I was like, how does that work? In my mind, I was kind of thinking through that. But in the course, there’s so much great information, and then you provide so much one on one… And I would say it, it is so worth it.” — Lisa, 17:28

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Finding Style After Uniforms:

  “None of those careers...needed any style. I didn’t have a style.” — Lisa, 02:23

• On Color as a Game Changer:

  “Knowing my colors and just grabbing things that matched...she just mentioned how my outfit matched my eyes…” — Lisa, 07:28

• On Confidence Rippling Outward:

  “Other people also notice when I feel more confident and I’m wearing the right colors...she texted my daughter...and said that your mom looks radiant.” — Lisa, 08:56

• On Outgrowing Hiding:

  “This was the first step I took of putting myself out there. So that just kind of compounded my nervousness. But working with you...I felt confident about what I was wearing and how I looked.” — Lisa, 11:01

• On Feeling Put Together:

  “It’s amazing though, that just little tweaks...how big a difference that can make in the confidence you feel as you’re going out and about…” — Lisa, 13:22

• On the Power of Community:

  “The people in the collective...were so supportive...the colors that you did for us... those really help.” — Lisa, 15:13

• On Recommending the Program:

  “I would say do it...I would do it again.” — Lisa, 17:28

Notable Timestamps

• [02:23] — Lisa describes her chaotic pre-Collective wardrobe
• [03:33] — Why Lisa was searching for help and how she found HER Style
• [05:48] — Impact of color analysis and closet audit
• [07:28] — Story: the Nordstrom Rack compliment
• [08:56] — How color and confidence changed how others see her
• [11:01] — Confidence boost for business and photo shoot
• [13:22] — Ongoing impact on daily confidence and interactions
• [15:13] — Favorite parts of the program: resources and community
• [17:28] — Lisa’s advice and reflections for potential members
• [19:43] — Lisa looks ahead: her next steps, business, and where to find her

Where to Find Lisa

• Business: Her Wellness Coaching
• Instagram: @heatherriggstyle (for podcast updates and connection)

Summary Takeaway

Lisa’s story is a testament that everyone—regardless of past style experience—can find confidence and ease by embracing their personal palette and practical wardrobe strategies. The HER Style Collective offers supportive community, actionable tools, and ongoing personal attention that empowers women to express their best selves every day, inside and out.