Meet John Phillip Moreno | Professional Wardrobe Stylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with John Phillip Moreno, owner of MyMojo Style, and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John Phillip, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve always had style, and though I didn’t come from a fashion career background, it’s in my DNA. When my daughter was just a baby girl she once wrote me a Father’s Day poem titled “Style Dad”. A few years ago it was unearthed from the fam archives and presented to me as part of a Father’s Day gift. It was epic and one of the best gifts ever! People have always stopped to comment on my style in parking lots, grocery stores, Walmart, malls, restaurants, walking along the sidewalk, events, and the like.

It was during my 14+ year career in publishing, through my public-facing roles, that my style became a strong component of my personal brand. People began to reach out to me asking what to wear to events, to go shopping with them, and started dressing like me. Back in those days, my style jam was bowties and funky socks. Because I was a publishing professional I felt like bowties were a smart look and became a signature accessory. I had a grand assortment of them in all colorways and fabrics. Essentially, I became a style influencer in my professional community before influencers were really a thing on social channels.

Around this time, two friends were having lunch and during the conversation, one of them said, “I would pay John Phillip to style my boyfriend”. They brought the idea to me of starting a personal styling service and the seed was planted. We gathered a small group of professionals from our network to be a part of a focus group one afternoon at a local coffee shop where we whiteboarded the business name, business model, target market, styling package offerings, and my rate. In January 2019 I launched MyMojo Style. A friend nicknamed me Mojo many years ago and by definition speaks to influence, confidence, and personal charisma. A magic power. A quality that attracts people to you and makes you successful and full of energy. The business name was befitting and during the process of working with clients the goal is to help them find their “mojo” by becoming more refined, sophisticated, confident, and style savvy.

Then Covid happened and things came to a halt on the styling front. Like everyone else, I was affected emotionally by the pandemic and I lost my inspiration. After all, I still had my full-time gig in publishing and personal styling was a creative outlet for me that I could monetize. It wasn’t until late 2021 that I got reinspired to pick up styling again and try to make something of it and move it forward. I may or may not have been part of what’s called the Great Resignation where millions of people re-evaluated and left their jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic. What I know is that though community journalism was meaningful work, I wanted to do something creative and inspired, which gave me joy. I felt something calling me. At my age, I could have finished out my career in the publishing field and retired, It was a sweet gig, corporate level, amazing boss and mentor, autonomy, wfh, and flexible hours. One of the best management jobs in media in the San Diego market.

I was comfortable but something was calling me to take a sabbatical ( a decision a year in the making) and begin exploring the possibilities of taking my personal styling business full scale and being self-employed. There is a famous quote that hangs in my bedroom by F. Scott Fitzgerald, “For what it’s worth…it’s never too late, or in my case too early, to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit. Start whenever you want. You can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or worst of it. I hope you make the best of it, I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you’ve never felt before, I hope you meet people who have a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of, and if you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start over again”

Here I am, 56, having concluded my career in publishing on March 31, 2022, on a spiritual journey to redirect my career and life. It’s calculated risk, it’s 85% exciting and 15% scary. I’m following my heart to share my gift with the world and serve people. Empower them to be the best version of themselves. To make getting dressed more simple with effortless style. To help them reach their highest visual potential. Whether it turns out how I’ve envisioned, a version of that, or something different altogether I’m down for the ride.

In the way of professional development, and becoming an expert in the field, in June 2022 I graduated from Pivot School’s 5-month intensive Business of Personal Styling course. I am now a Certified Professional Wardrobe Stylist and attend monthly Pivot conferences on various aspects of Fashion to stay on top of my game and be the very best for my clients.

It’s never too late to be whoever you want to be.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

Fashion is art and as a Professional Wardrobe Stylist, I am a creative.

Styling someone is using my eye and professional expertise for the creative texturing that helps a client discover and define their signature style. It was Yves Saint Laurent that said, “Fashions fade, style is eternal”. I work and collaborate with clients from the space that style is fashion worn on your terms. In essence, it’s not so much what you wear but how you wear it. How you wear clothing is the creative texturing that happens in the personal styling process that comes from what a client wants to communicate professionally and personally, what are the best silhouettes and brands for their body type, the recommended color palette for their skin tone and undertone, accessorizing, and if they want to be minimalistic, fashion-forward or something in between. All of these different aspects help build the framework that provides me with the direction I need for creative texturing. It’s the styling magic. The Mojo magic!

I’m most excited about what lies ahead for me on my journey and to grow as a stylist. I’ve accepted the call to co-create with the Universe and to pursue this creative field. I have so much more creativity to share with the world that will manifest through my client service work. I feel like I’ve only just begun. There is some notoriety in the field by being a celebrity stylist, being published, or being featured on a style segment on television. Notoriety isn’t necessarily a goal nor am I attracted to that. If my career leads down that pathway then so be it. I’m here for it all. However, what I am most attracted to and feel called to do is empower everyday people like you and me.

Organically most of my styling work has been with men. My business is fairly new and I’m still working on brand development. Although I have and will style women I believe it’s important to have a niche and be an expert in a particular area. Niching down is an important element to success and knowing your audience. Through the styling services I offer, I help men become gentlemen; more sophisticated, refined, confident, and style savvy. I would like to invite more men to become a part of our tribe and story of gents.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

If my best friend was in town for a week our itinerary would be a combination of staying close to home and beyond. I live in Normal Heights a very urban, hip, diverse area. My neighborhood is super walkable, cool spots abound in every direction and with the 30th Street and Adams Avenue corridors, there are lots to drink and eat.

Close to home
Black Market Bakery for some coffee, freshly baked pastries, avo toast or Meraki Cafe for their Golden Oatmeal. Restaurants would include Wormwood, the new French bistro, Hannah’s Gourmet for Sunday brunch to experience dishes from around the world, New Zealand-inspired Kairoa Brewing Co. for brews, seafood, and comfort eats, or Bahn Thai for takeout and a short walk to Trolley Barn Park for a picnic. On both ends of 30th, we could choose between two Ramen houses, Underbelly and Tajima. Both are great but with a different ambiance. Of course, any meal could be topped off with Stella Jean’s artisanal handmade ice cream.

For drinks and eats, the perfect trifecta on the corner of 30th and Adams. Polite Provisions for the pre-game, Fortunate Sons Chinese, then the Swan Bar for a nightcap. Definitely have to include the best tequila house in San Diego, Cantina Mayahuel. Karaoke drives big crowds at Redwing Bar & Grill on Friday and Saturday nights.

Shopping at some of my favorite vintage stores; La Loupe Vintage, Shangri La Vintage, Mila North Park, and Bad Madge & Co. Vintage clothing is sustainable, a serious style flex, and has a story behind it

Beyond the home front
Paddleboarding or sailing on Mission Bay, outdoor yoga on the bluff with NamaSteve in Pacific Beach, sunsets at any beach in San Diego, a walk through Balboa Park or Liberty Station, winetasting atop Tower 23 Hotel along the ocean, outdoor concert at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay or the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park.

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?
My shoutout’s go to the following:

My mom, you are unfailing in your love and support. You are my best friend and my hero. If I could achieve becoming just a small percentage of the person and pillar you are I will have done well.

Linda Townson, my amazing friend, previous boss, and always my mentor. During my interview with you over 14 years ago, I fell in love with your energy and spirit. Your fingerprint will always be upon my life. I’m a different man personally and professionally because your influence runs deep.

Lynnette Tessitore, you have become a friend with a soulmate connection. You are wicked smart, one of the most loving and caring people I know and you love me in such a way that’s humbling. Thank you for your love and for always seeing me. I’m forever grateful for your friendship.

Pivot School community, to Rachel J. Penca our headline instructor, administrative team, students, guest lecturers, and mentors. Incredibly blessed to be a part of this learning community and to have your support and confidence. Cohort 3 #wecute

Website: www.mymojostyle.com

Instagram: @mymojostyle

Linkedin: MyMojo Style

Facebook: MyMojo Style

Image Credits
No image credits are necessary.