Okay, so I had some kick-ass feedback about the “So You’re Creative” interview with Grace Chon, Creative Exec/Pet Photographer/entrepreneur.
I was fortunate enough to nab an interview with Tech/Entrepreneur/Fashion Rock Star, Patricia Handschiegel, via IM. She founded Stylediary.net, sold it to Stylehive.com in November 2007, covers Entertainment/Media business for Venturebeat, was an advisor to Kaboodle.com, and has no problems rocking a pair of metallic gold Marc by Marc Jacobs boots while speaking at SXSW.

Tell the readers of girlatastartup about how you got involved in the Tech World and how did you manage to merge the worlds of fashion and tech to create Stylediary?
I got into tech by accident, honestly, through being a publicist. I had always been very into media, fashion, style, etc. so I just looked for a way to be involved in it and eventually, the opportunity came to mix both.

Tech is a male-heavy environment, as I’m sure you know. Have you dealt with situations where people didn’t take you seriously, being a woman? If so, how did you deal?
I did. Mostly because of the fashion element. A lot of people seemed to feel that because Stylediary was a fashion site, I’d be clueless about tech, but that’s actually really far from the truth! So, I just made sure I stood on that. I know a lot about the internet that a lot of people don’t know. I just always made sure that I held onto that.

I’ve read several interviews where you talk about how your mentors really helped you out with advice. How crucial are mentors and how do you suggest that people go about finding mentors in their fields?
The people around me play a huge role. It isn’t in the day to day or even the bigger vision, but in the fact that they’re like a cheering squad that believes in you, guides you, reminds you that it’s okay to be new at it or make mistakes. I think they need to come into your life organically, so you just have to sort of meet and network with people, and kind of see who sticks. There were six people in my life through the last year and a half of stylediary, who really just sort of backed me up, believed in me and helped keep me focused. Mentors are like having a fitness diary for weight lifters. It makes you accountable.

I freaking love the story about the picture of you when you found out you sold Stylediary. Give us a quick recap, for those of us who hope to have that same feeling of ecstatic joy!!
I hadn’t set my sights on just selling stylediary – I set my sights on achieving whatever could be possible for the business. I knew that it was possible to sell it, but I planned and worked for either way. I had worked tirelessly, for hours, days, weeks, months on end, to try to make stylediary something, to try to keep it visible in the market while trying to make it an experience for the users. A start up will take up an enormous, enormous part of your life. I don’t get to spend two hours getting ready so i can look hot at an event. Most of the time, I’m getting ready in the car so when you reach a goal like selling a company was to me, you are so incredibly excited, humbled, respectful of the moment, and that is kind of what rolled into that photo.

Um. I’m really inspired. Okay, so in the state of the recent economy, how can a girl be fashionable on a budget? I thought I’d ask the expert.
haha. Remember that it isn’t about the brand or money but the quality and construction for the price, and what will last you a long time versus what won’t. A good formula is inexpensive clothing and expensive footwear. You’ll mostly see me in a $150 dress but $700 heels. Some of my dresses are American Apparel $30. I think that is one thing women entrepreneurs at the moment can care about – fashion, their look, etc.

Meaning we should care more or less about our look?
Thanks to the hundreds of thousands of women from like Barbara Walters to Carly from HP, girls like myself can be the CEO, the entrepreneur, but also be girly girls. We’re very fortunate to have that opportunity.

Holla. So, I just went to the TechCrunch/Popsugar event. Are you “Geek” or “Chic?”
Chic. Always. I think it’s silly to call a lot of the people in tech geeks. They’re not. They’re just smart people, doing cool stuff. I get tired of that moniker across the board. Plus, it’s rare at those events that the real geeks are there.

There’s a girl who will be reading this interview, working a job she doesn’t exactly like, with creative visions in her head… any words of advice or inspiration you can give to her??
Sure. I was that girl. That’s the thing. I was the girl who was working at a desk job thinking about what else was possible. I wasn’t partnered up with some guy who founded a big company or anybody who went around trying to fly private or whatever. The internet’s barrier of entry is so low. Everybody who wants to try should. Everybody. If you’re working at a job, start small. Make a blog, or do something towards the goal. I have huge plans – I am only getting started! But, every last second of it is all a small step. I see the big goal, but I focus on the small steps. That’s what girls with jobs should do. I didn’t go out and try to raise money or think i had to do anything – I just launched stylediary initially on some free “make your own website’ that most people use to show crafts or their wedding, and it took off. I help, mentor and support A LOT of people in business and the one thing I always say is you have to take action. It doesn’t matter what it is, it can be tiny action with the idea it’ll lead to big action, but I would say to anybody, period, believe you can do it and do it. Don’t be afraid.

Can you talk about your work with Joyfulchild.org (Okay, this girl does charity work too!) and any last inspirational words?
Above all, I do the work I do to inspire social change, creating a specific plan and outcome that will enable me to drive change in things I care about. Joyfulchild.org was recommended by a friend of mine who is also very active in the cause and so my work was started there. For me, it’s the bigger problem of adults raping little children, which I realize is not a topic anybody wants to think about but it’s very real and very bad, and something has to be done. I always knew I’d someday auction off all the things that helped me make stylediary. That’s the thing. For me, it isn’t about the money or the status or the stuff but the plan. and that was in the plan.

Again, I’m ridiculously inspired now. Thanks for taking time out for this interview!
You’re welcome and I’m really honored! That girls might be inspired by me is really cool.

Patricia, you’re awesome and FYI, all notices of secret sample sales are welcome! (I’m being serious here)