Meet René Steelman | Retired interior designer, model and media influencer

We had the good fortune of connecting with René Steelman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi René, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
When I decided to stop coloring my hair my world woke up! It never occurred to me to ask others for their opinions on my hair color, length or age appropriateness. I have positive comments almost daily on my hair and my clothing. It’s as if women my age are expected to shut off any individualism after the age of 60!

I follow other women on social media struggling with family and friends who are offering their unsolicited advice on their hair and clothing. I started my Instagram, podcast, and speaking business to address this.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The struggle for me is real. My biggest pill to overcome was finding a team of people that were on the same page. I have spent thousands of dollars trying to hire professionals to help me with technology and other aspects of building a business. It hasn’t been easy and it’s been very frustrating. My other struggle has been balancing which I believe there is no balance, being a caregiver for a disabled adult child and being a mother, grandmother, wife, and Creative. I believe the truth is however, if you are a creative you cannot stop the instinct drives you forward.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, I have a weakness, it is a Shopping! I believe one of the joys of Scottsdale and the surrounding area is the amount of fabulous shopping. So we would head to Scottsdale Quarter, then we would go to Cooperhawk for lunch, then we would go to one of the artistic movie theaters, and then we would be swimming at midnight in a pool with the temperature of a warming bath. Of course the next day we would head to Sedona and we would hike and enjoy the bohemian atmosphere I do believe you can have both you can have fashion, you can be outdoors with nature, you can find social and fun activities.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Katherine Sealy, Events Cosmetics in portland is my biggest supporter. I’ve watched her grow her business in spite of her job as mom and mother to an autistic child. I too have a severely disabled son and balancing caregiving and self care is constant

Website: gograydame.com

Instagram: @gograydame

Twitter: @challengedtoo

Facebook: shebecamevisible

Image Credits
Paige Craig photograph VITY box