STYLE & STRATEGY WITH SONYA

Welcome back! In this first episode of 2026, I'm sharing my annual wardrobe audit process and how I successfully sold 70% of my pre-loved clothing pieces. But this isn't just about decluttering, it's about maintaining alignment between who you're becoming as a leader and how you're showing up. I walk through my strategic approach to keeping a curated wardrobe that reduces decision fatigue and reflects your leadership identity. You'll hear about my experience testing two resale methods (Airrobe online consignment and Venla physical rack rental), plus practical tips on pricing strategy and maximising your return on investment when editing your wardrobe. Key Takeaways Regular wardrobe audits are essential for leadership alignment. Conduct wardrobe reviews multiple times per year to ensure your closet reflects your current leadership identity, lifestyle, and brand direction, not who you were three years ago. Maintenance over replacement. The goal isn't to buy new things constantly. It's to maintain what you have and strategically remove what no longer serves you or aligns with where you're going. Create a boutique experience to reduce decision fatigue. Organize your wardrobe like a clean, curated store. When your closet feels like a boutique, getting dressed becomes effortless instead of exhausting. Use a strategic dual reselling approach. Combine online platforms (like Airrobe) for convenience with physical rack rentals (like Venla) for higher-value pieces to maximise your success rate. Know your selling environment. Research the store demographic and popular items before selecting pieces for rack rental. Understanding your buyer helps you choose what will actually sell. Price strategically for ROI. When rack rentals cost ~$280 AUD, focus on quality pieces that will help you break even quickly rather than filling the rack with volume-based items. Leverage rotation opportunities. When items sell from your rented rack, bring in backup pieces to maximise the rental period and keep fresh inventory available. Approach it as an experiment. Test different methods to discover what works best for your situation. Wardrobe decluttering isn't one-size-fits-all. Timestamps 0:00 - Introduction: Annual wardrobe audit process 0:30 - Podcast intro 1:15 - Welcome back for 2026 2:00 - Why audit your wardrobe regularly (alignment with leadership identity) 3:10 - Maintenance vs. buying new: strategic approach 4:00 - Creating a boutique wardrobe feel to reduce decision fatigue 6:00 - Organizing by color and type for visual clarity 7:00 - Deciding what to keep vs. what to sell 7:40 - Two resale options: Airrobe online consignment & Venla rack rental 8:20 - Top selling tips for maximizing success 10:00 - Understanding store demographics before selecting pieces 10:20 - ROI strategy for $280 rack rental investment 11:30 - Results: Successfully sold 70% of selected pieces 12:00 - Rotating pieces as items sell to maximize rental period 14:00 - Break-even achieved in two days 14:20 - Q&A and audience engagement 15:20 - Closing thoughts Links and Resources: ➡ Airrobe - Online consignment platform for pre-loved clothing ➡ Venla - Physical rack rental for reselling clothing ➡  Find out what is creating the gap between your capability and how your experience is in under 5 mins. Complete the Leadership Presence Gap Assessment here:  Assessment ➡ Download the Wardrobe Guide for women in leadership – Get a curated list of must-have wardrobe staples that blend versatility, style, and impact: Guide ➡ Book Your Strategy Call ➡ Find out more about programs and services ➡ Connect with me on social media  Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Facebook