Abigail Mueller is the FACE behind Fashion Camp at the Summit, helping young girls develop self-esteem and confidence, while also learning about fashion. Abigail has found her calling helping girls to love themselves and to develop a plan for their lives early on through her business Abigail Academy.
What do you do for a living?
I am a confidence coach for women and girls, helping them improve their self-esteem to become more successful!
When did you know that you were in the right profession?
Every day, when I know there is no other place I would rather be!
How do you make Fashion Camp mean so much more than just fashion?
We emphasize feeling good on the inside and looking great on the outside from the inner light in one’s spirit. We use positive affirmations that the girls build each morning, selecting one word from a body, mind, spirit, and fashion category that they aspire to be. They repeat these throughout the day on the runways, in dressing rooms, and to their fashion affirmation partners.
What is the hardest part of your job? What is the easiest?
The hardest is conveying to the mothers of the girls I work with what internal changes that I experience in private sessions with the girls. Sometimes the “ah-a” moments I witness them having at 10 or 15 years old–that I know will be with them for a lifetime–may not be something they are ready to publicly talk about. The girls may only use pieces of my curriculum internally and in private. It is hard when mothers are not the ones feeling the expansion and transformation, because the girls sometimes grow faster emotionally, spiritually, or mentally than the mothers and or families.
The easiest part of my job is connecting with my clients. Women and girl private sessions provide a sanctuary environment where they get to be immersed in current life happenings, and I get to be in it with them. Then I select from my curriculums which tools need to be integrated for the clients optimal results. I plan better lives, one day at a time, using my skills from my past employment in the corporate, social and residential event planning industry.
My favorite thing to do with clients is guide them through contemplative practices of guided meditations. When they return from meditation, they glow from their internal spiritual guides, and they are always the richest and have the most brilliant awareness.
How do you balance your job and your personal life?
I used to think I had to turn it off and on, but now I realize I am my own brand. Being joyful, healthy, kind, free and successful is what all of my clients want in some form or another, so by living my abundantly joyful life, I don’t really have to separate much. Aside from honoring my four-day work week policy with responding to emails, voicemail, and facebook only Monday – Thursday, I believe that by living the life I love, I will continue to attract others who refer me the type of growth-oriented client I am looking for.
What is the biggest life lesson you have ever learned?
Wherever you go, there you are. I moved to NYC twice, both times hoping something magical would change some of my personal struggles. I remember crying in my bed one morning telling my sister via phone “I’m here, I got to where I wanted to be, NYC. I’ve done all of the dreams I envisioned for myself, I’m 24. I’m here, now what?” The one thing I hadn’t done yet was follow through with my business model. I always tended to run from things when they got uncomfortable after I did all of the hard part, after the challenge was over, and the minutia made me want to run. Abigail Academy started soon thereafter, and it is the one thing in my life that I have showed up for every day since it started.
Who is your mentor?
Maggie Payette Harlow of Sign a Rama downtown and Stacey Vicari of Ideal Life.
What is best advice you have received in business?
If you have one foot in front of you and one foot behind you, you can’t do today to the best of your ability. Just do today and, God willing, you can come back to your desk tomorrow.
If you were not in your current job, what would you secretly love to do?
Be a stay-at-home mom to several little ones in New England, living in a waterfront property with PTA commitments, a chair on city council, live off of the royalties of my books and enjoy spoiling my husband, friends, and family!
What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
Although I coach people to help them face their fears and build their confidence, I get scared sometimes, too.
Where do you like to go out to eat?
Blue Dog Bakery and Café, Simply Thai & Ramsi’s.
Where do you like to shop?
Lee W. Robinson & Anthropologie.
What is a treat or a luxury you do for yourself?
Take a few baths every week!
What is your weakness?
Thinking I can get it all done in 5 minutes.
What is your favorite thing to do in Louisville?
Different things each season. Winter: Actors Theatre. Spring: kayak. Summer: Fashion Camp. Fall: Farmers’ Markets, Painting class, and football games!
Three things you cannot live without (besides God, family and friends):
Meditation, and the elements (water, parks, candles/fire)
What are you reading right now?
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh – I love it!
What are three of your “favorite” things right now (can be anything).
Being in a new relationship, seeing my business grow and becoming more and more in love with my life!
For more information about Fashion Camp at the Summit, click here: www.thesummitonline.com/louisville/fashion-camp-2013. Thank you to Abigail for a great photo shoot.
Also thank you to Adele Reding for her beautiful pictures. Be sure to consider Adele for all of your photography needs: weddings, senior pictures, family portraits. Summer is a great time to take pictures. Visit Adele’s website here. https://adeleredingphotography.com
