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Fashion is about styles, patterns, and fun. But is that the full picture? Can fashion be seen as an investment in one’s personal brand? Or is there an intersection between building personal style and building a business? These questions can be answered by Melissa Pegus.

Melissa Pegus is a Partner at the Future Economy Fund, an investor and strategic advisor who supports companies working in areas like commerce technology, healthcare, workforce development, and emerging industries.

Apart from her business activities, Melissa is also a stylist and fashion enthusiast. She shares her views and insights on style, business, personal life, and everything in between.

The Power of Personal Style in Professional Life

The discussion began with a lighthearted conversation about the role of favorite shoes and their impact on the wearer. “I keep the uniform casual, but the shoes are where I have fun,” says Melissa Pegus. She also elaborated on how her outfit influences her professional life and career.

“I remember when I first started working, I used to get these gorgeous three-piece skirt suits from the ladies’ suit section at Macy’s or Ann Taylor.” Early career fashion was inspired by ’90s working women in movies, evolving into a more personalized and effortless approach.

She also shared how clothing can be used as a way to express oneself while staying professional, especially in a high-stakes environment like an investment fund.

Melissa emphasized how important first impressions are in business. On the other hand, becoming overly stressed about clothing can be counterproductive. “I’m not at a place where I want to stress out about what I’m going to wear. I have a uniform—something that is comfortable but makes me feel confident,” she says, noting that having a work wardrobe that eliminates decision fatigue can save energy and reduce easily avoidable stress.

Yet despite having a classy, professional uniform style, it’s possible to have fun with fashion by manipulating details and accessories, she adds.

Investing in the Future: The Vision Behind the Future Economy Fund

The talk was also an opportunity to exchange thoughts on the modern economy and its potential directions. According to Melissa Pegus, key areas include commerce technology, healthcare, workforce development, and other emerging technologies.

However, fashion e-commerce still struggles with the fact that clothes and accessories are items customers may want to touch and feel before purchase. “Even the best digital-first brands are trying to recreate that experience of walking into a boutique, where the store owner knows you,” she says.

The Role of Personal Branding in the Investment World

The podcast also provided a space to discuss how the investment community has strongly held views, including those about fashion. Despite this, many women in investing use personal style as a tool for confidence and visibility.

It was also an opportunity to talk about the power of community in business initiatives. Beyond being a tool of the trade, fashion inevitably becomes part of one’s story.

“I remember every class I’ve taught… I distinctly remember the final moment of standing on stage with all the founders,” Melissa recalls. “A blazer, a pair of slacks—it brings back those memories, and I feel all that joy all over again.”

The Trends We Love (and Those We’d Rather Forget)

The conversation also touched on fashion trends, as “Good fashion is forever,” stated in the podcast. Power suits, statement footwear, and sustainable fashion remain classic choices. On the other side of the spectrum are trends like skinny low-rise jeans or slouchy bags, which can be enemies of organization.

Conclusion

“Outfits can speak a thousand words” could serve as a fitting summary. The full version of this episode is available on YouTube.

Follow us for more updates:

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iwanthershoespodcast/

Fatima Rosa’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissapegus

Anna’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iwanthershoes/

No rising eyebrows – A Conversation With Fatima Rosa

Beauty is a powerful force that can transform the world into a better place—when approached in a conscious and responsible manner. Drawing from her multicultural background, enterprise experience, and family business, Fatima Rosa always inspires with her philanthropic and community-focused approach!

Fatima Rosa is a Miami-based entrepreneur, CEO, and founder of a face, brow, and beauty bar in Miami, Florida, who also engages in multiple social responsibility projects.

The Entrepreneurial Spirit

During her meeting with Anna Anisin, Fatima Rosa shared the story of her family and childhood, which later shaped her approach to doing business. Both of her parents were born in Uganda but were expelled by Idi Amin’s regime. “I’m born in Canada, born and raised, but my parents are born in East Africa… They were forced to leave… drop out of school, leave your family homes… and figure out life somewhere else,” she shares.

Before settling in Canada, her parents tried their luck in New Zealand and the UK. This challenging journey laid a strong foundation for the family’s entrepreneurial spirit. Fatima basically grew up learning the value of persistence and resourcefulness. “As a 5- or 6-year-old, I’d be spending time sitting in the back of one of their businesses… My dad would say, ‘We’re gonna learn how to work today.’” she says. “My dad asked me to do something on the computer, but I couldn’t even reach it. So he gave me a crate and—problem solved! It was a small task, but I felt so accomplished!” she adds.

Gathering the Experience

Fatima graduated from the University of Toronto, earning a degree in Political Science and Environmental Science. After graduation, she thought she would help run the family business, yet her father insisted she first gather experience in a corporate environment.

The lessons proved valuable, with Fatima learning about different styles of running a business and building relationships with a team. For example, she realized the importance of being prepared before a meeting and the value of teamwork. “It showed me how to function in a team environment. You learn about skill sets, who to rely on when it comes to clients or administration,” she says.

Fatima pursues fulfillment in many areas. Her entrepreneurial spirit and ability to build thriving businesses helped her engage in social responsibility initiatives, never forgetting that her own parents once received help as refugees. She not only volunteers with Best Buddies but also encourages her staff to do so.

Building Beauty in Florida

Fatima started her beauty business in Florida as a franchise from Canada, and it was the first blow-dry concept around at that time. “Regulators didn’t fully understand the concept—that you just wash, dry, and style!” she says. Yet clients soon requested additional services like brows, makeup, and lashes. Eventually, she sold the franchise, and after the non-compete agreement ended, she opened her own beauty business. The core of the concept was providing a welcoming, non-judgmental environment. “Come right after yoga, sweaty, or roll out of bed because you had a hard night, no problem. We’re here to make you feel good,” she says.

In the podcast, Anna and Fatima also exchanged thoughts on current fashion trends, discussing the “no eyelashes” trend, sustainability, and an organic approach to beauty.

She shared her passion for shoes and bold details in clothing, including edge studs and rockstar accents. Yet as a mom, she needs to stay practical. “I have a Lazy Susan, so it’s like floor to ceiling, and the sections turn, so I can just spin and see the shoes!” she says.

Summary

Fatima’s complicated story shows how challenging beginnings can foster a responsible and sustainable approach to doing business and contributing to the community. The full episode can be found on YouTube, where Anna and Fatima talk about fashion, beauty, sustainability, and the many aspects of being a successful entrepreneur, mother, and fashionable modern woman.

Follow us for more updates:

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iwanthershoespodcast/

Fatima Rosa’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatima.rosa.eh/

Anna’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iwanthershoes/