SOMA Magazine SOMA Fall Fashion Issue Oct 15 | Page 46

Feature

The Influencers
Melody McCloskey
TEXT BY KYLE THORNBURG
PHOTOGRAPH BY MARK SQUIRES

Melody McCloskey, 31, is somewhat of an anomaly in the beauty ‘square foot room in an apartment with three other people and
industry. In 2011, she co-founded StyleSeat, an online outlet no experience starting a company. My parents were not thrilled.
for beauty professionals and their clients. The company was
inspired by her love for technology and computer science. Today, What strengths has StyleSeat brought out in you?
StyleSeat is proof that style and technology are kindred spirits.
Resiliency! That’s the biggest thing I’ve learned about myself so
far. Tristan Walker said this to me recently and it’s so true: “As
What’s something you wish you would have known as a a founder you’ll feel the highest highs and the lowest lows all
young professional?
in one day, and as the CEO you can’t really share that with anyWhen I was in college thinking a lot about the type of work I one.” It’s been an emotional and really physical journey (there’s
wanted to do after graduating, I didn’t think tech was an option some thi