Hey! I'm Quinessa Solomon-Gordon
but just call me "Q."
My story is one you may or may not relate to but I'm sure you'll find it inspiring. I’m what some may call a misfit, due to my style, behaviors and non-traditional ways of thinking. One to always color outside the lines and challenge the rules, I've never been a follower and I'm cool with that!
Born and raised on the west side of Chicago, I’ve always lived with a nagging feeling that I was meant for more. Starting in high school, I remember questioning the school administration about the
strict dress policy. I’d show up, pushing the boundaries, trading my classic uniform for a funky mocked-up version. And I didn’t mind dealing with the consequences either! I just wanted to show my style (and I still was a great student).
The middle child of a two-parent household, I was raised in the 'hood but exposed early on to experiences outside of my daily surroundings. Those experiences would go on to impact and influence so many parts of my life, including how I chose to express my style.
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I’d show up to school, pushing the boundaries, trading my classic uniform for a funky mocked-up version. And I didn’t mind dealing with the consequences either! I just wanted to show my style (and I still was a great student).
Out of college, Finance was my initial career move, but I realized my heart wasn’t full. I traded my full-time career in finance for a project based position writing a fashion column for a Lifestyle magazine, where I handled press and reported on Chicago celebrity events. This was more of my style! And while I wasn’t making a lot of money, I felt a sense of fulfillment working in the entertainment world. In this season, I learned that authenticity beats putting up a front. And I was able to dress the way I wanted, instead of adhering to the rigid downtown office dress codes.
When I got pregnant with my daughter Kaydence, I realized it was time to get back into the work force and get a "real job" for stability *sigh*. But once again, I found myself unfulfilled. After some years, I ventured off on my own and started my first company, The Kloset Kleaner Project, working as an independent contractor helping women entrepreneurs clean up their personal lives through closet cleaning services and clean up their businesses through administrative support. Once again, I felt a sense of fulfillment. This is where I developed my immense passion for supporting professional business women break away from the rules forced upon us. I added the element of fashion and the rest is history. Later, that business rebranded to “Always on Q”, a one-stop- shop for Fashion & Style.
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I found more fulfillment in connecting with clients through conversation, learning about them in order to offer transformative ways to shift their lives through fashion and style.
During this time, I also worked in Direct Sales as an Independent Stylist for an international fashion brand, selling a collection of Women's Clothing. Instead of focusing on selling clothes, I found more satisfaction in offering the brand ways to connect with a more diverse audience and I especially loved connecting with clients through conversation, learning about them in order to offer transformative ways to shift their lives through fashion and style. I always found myself coming right back to the same values I'd experienced throughout my career journey and those values are the epitome of what I stand for as the Lead Stylist at “Always on Q.”
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Today, I can proudly say that I am living my dream and helping women realize that Style is not one size fits all. I’ve built a brand that ensures my client's outside image matches who they are on the inside. Instead of just chasing a money bag, I decided to walk in my purpose and do what I love and it's paid off big time! And I'm here to offer that same enjoyment to the women I work with!
