"I've seen someone wearing an old Bundaberg Rum painting shirt they have had at home for 20 years. I would love a little bit more clarity. I said to my old boss, if the department ever wants to put a dress code policy in place, I'll put my hand up to help write that."
"In an ideal world, I would love to do presentations, go to different schools all around Queensland. Not just what you can and can't wear but even more so just presenting tips on how to dress for your body shape and project your personal brand. I've done some work with the University of Southern Queensland about first impressions and how teachers are their brand, as well."
Starting whattheteacherwears has lead to opportunities to work with major retailers around the country and being able to make a vast network of friends. Alex has also acquired Personal Stylist Certification.
"Being able to work with companies that I wouldn't have even dreamed of, it still just blows my mind; working with large brands and being flown around the country. A few years ago Target flew me to Melbourne to see their new collection. I'm sitting on a plane thinking, 'What the hell am I doing?'"
"Westfield contacted me in 2015 to work as a personal stylist, which I was doing on weekends and Thursday nights. I would meet a client at one of the Westfield Shopping Centers around Brisbane. I'd get paid to take them shopping which was pretty good. I left Westfield after a year and a half because I couldn't keep up with the demands of working with them and working as Head of Curriculum, plus running my blog and having to meet deadlines."
"I've made friends through Instagram and online with some Brisbane bloggers. Sarah Merrett, who is
also a teacher, Cate Massi from Individual Style and Sally from Steal My Style. We all have our own styling business but being able to work together we've become friends. Those girls all came to my wedding. If I weren't online, I wouldn't have those friendship groups."
Alex admits that not having enough time is one of the most significant challenges in managing whattheteacherwears.
"It is just finding the time to be able to fit it all in. I don't feel like I'm juggling everything as well as what I could. Now that I am working full time again, I am still figuring out what's working and just trying to find how I can maximise my blogging time when I am on the computer. I take all my photos by myself on a tripod."
"I get up early to do blog emails before I get to school. I shut that off about six thirty and get ready for work. When I'm at work, I don't do anything related to blogging or Instagram until I leave between four and five. I come home and cook dinner. If I need to do school work, I will then, and then blog work again until bed. There are some nights I'm up until 10 or 11 o'clock doing that. Sleep. Wake up. Same thing. It's a bit of a mundane routine."
"Right now blogging is dragging a bit behind. Working full time again, I know I'm probably going to come to a point where I'll have to decide which path I go down, but until then, I'm just going to try doing both while I can."
"It's funny because people come up and say, "I thought of doing that once." Do you know how many guys say, "I should start what the guy teacher wears?" I tell them, "Do it." There are no outlays online. You can make a free blog. You can use Instagram and Facebook. It is all free. You don't know where it is going to take you. My biggest secret is if you've been thinking about doing it, just do it. You've got nothing to lose."
Because I LOVE it. I know that sounds so CLICHE. There is no other word though. I wouldn't be putting MYSELF through so much if I didn't love what I do.
COVER STORY
My biggest SECRET is if you've been thinking about doing it, JUST DO IT. You've got NOTHING TO LOSE