Full name?:
Kristine & Stephanie Navas
Position / Job title?:
Co-Owners of Closet Deep
1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Kristine: We both kind of were on different tracks since we little. I knew I always wanted to be architect because it was something my dad liked and it was artistic. My sister was wanted to be a doctor. We didn’t exactly end up there, but we ended up where we were meant to be.
2. Fast-forward several years/decades. How did you land(or create) your current position?
Kristine: It all happened very randomly. I had a fashion blog just for fun while I was doing my undergrad, and while I was away at school my sister kind of threw the idea at me. So, it all started there.
3. Did you have to take on internships to get there? How important in general, do you think, are internships?
Kristine: My sister was fortunate to get paid experience in her field, but I personally did three internship while in my undergrad. I could never say I regret them because they are experience, but I do believe it’s important to pick the right ones. I always suggest to younger people that they should make it clear what they want out of it because no one wants to get stuck getting coffee. Unfortunately, that happens a lot.
4. Tell us what a typical work day looks like for you. What is your job REALLY like, both the glamorous and not-so-glamorous parts?
Kristine: Honestly, it varies. There are chaotic days and some slower days. It really depends on what we’re working on. With promotions and shoots it can get a little crazy, but it’s all fun in the end.
5. What is the biggest career mistake you’ve ever made?
Kristine: I would have to say taking internships that didn’t suite what I wanted in the future. I truly believe that an internship can shape where you are in five years, and I sometimes think maybe picking smaller companies wasn’t the best idea.
6. What is the single most important piece of advice you would give to other career-minded women?
Kristine: Just work hard. I know it sounds cliche and you’ve probably heard it a million time, but it’s the truth. I’m a big believer that you get back what you put into the universe. So if you work hard and stay positive, you’ll go far.
7. Let’s talk about work/life balance. What does that mean to you? Is it important?
Kristine: I think for me, sometimes, they overlap which isn’t always a good thing. I think everyone should learn to turn off the work brain because you should be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Now, in our industry it isn’t always so black and white, but the effort is there.
8. On that note, do you think women can have it all?Both the baller career, and the happy family?
Kristine: I do believe women can have it all, but it comes with sacrifices. I think the idea of having it all changes with the different stages of life, so determine what having it all means to you and what the costs are. You’re maybe that CEO with the two perfect children, but make sure you’re ok with the nanny spending more time with them.
9. If you could look into a crystal ball and see 20 years into your future, what would you want to see?
Stephanie: That’s hard to say. I think for both of us we just want to be successful and happy in what we are doing. I think that would be our main priority at that point in life.
10. Do you have any career role models? Who are they?
Stephanie: I admire many people for their success, but I believe we both would agree that our number one role model career-wise would our father. The whole idea of having developed his career from nothing is really inspiring.
11. What is the best piece of advice that you have ever received – career-related or otherwise?
Stephanie: I would have to say it’s the same as what my sister mentioned: work hard. I do believe if you keep your head up and work hard you’ll go far.
12. Parents love to say, “just wait ’til you have to face the real world…” When you were in college or high school, what did you think the “real world” looked like? What is the difference between what you thought and reality?
Stephanie: If I only knew then…I think I believed it to be easier than it was. My idea was if I studied hard and got my degrees I’d have a pay position right away, but the reality doesn’t work like that. I think what I needed to realize was good things don’t come easy; they require lots of work.
13. Should you work for the money, or do what you love?
Stephanie: I think there should be a balance. In this day in age, you can’t survive without having a cash flow. So, I think finding a position you enjoy and are challenged by should be the goal. There are 24 hours in a day, so you have time to chase any other passions after hours.
14. How important is money to you when considering a job?
Stephanie: I believe that if the job is exactly what you want and it’s great experience, take it. Just know your worth. There are a lot of companies that like to take advantage, so if a position isn’t for you, you’ll find a different one.
15. What is the single most important factor of a job?
Stephanie: Environment. If you don’t get along with your co-workers or you find yourself muttering hatred about the company, it’s probably not the right company for you.
16. If you married a millionaire husband and didn’t have to work, would you? (Be honest.)
Stephanie: I think both of us would say yes haha. We’ve had this discussion before. We get bored if we didn’t work at all. I believe if we weren’t work for our own company, we would be at least helping out non-profits. You have to keep yourself busy no matter how much money is in the bank.
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