Sarah Boyd's 'Stylish Sips' With Stephanie Horbaczewski For ForbesLife
In the digital space, ed influencers are taking the world by storm. Celebrity stylists, for sale fashion bloggers, Youtube content creators, makeup artists, hair stylists and even Instagram celebrities are creating many of today’s fashion and beauty trends. By posting one photo, they can organically promote a product to hundreds, if not millions, of followers. I’m excited to be sharing my ‘Stylish Sips’ with you where I’ll be meeting with top trendsetters in the fashion and beauty industry. Follow along to get weekly ‘Stylish Sips’ interviews from me! Today I’m having cocktails with Stephanie Horbaczewski, co-founder, president and CEO of StyleHaul. The StyleHaul network on YouTube has more than 175 million network subscribers and attracts more than 60 million monthly unique visitors to the content being created and curated by StyleHaul’s 4600 channels, across 62 countries, making the company the largest within these categories. Horbaczewski established StyleHaul in 2011 with the vision of translating the fashion editorial space to digital, social and multi-platform trends. StyleHaul speaks directly to the influential and engaged 18 to 34-year old female demographic.
Horbaczewski has expanded StyleHaul to more than 50 employees and offices in New York, Chicago and London, with headquarters in Los Angeles. Under her leadership, StyleHaul has partnered with marquee global beauty brands on premium content programs, spearheaded global industry trends and shifts, executed successful rounds of funding and recently announced an unprecedented deal with FremantleMedia to develop 10 original content series over the next two years. Showtime’s “Web Therapy” will debut on StyleHaul later this year via new webisodes, one of which will feature one of YouTube’s brightest stars, Caspar Lee, who was also part of the cast of “The Crew,” the first original content series produced by StyleHaul and FremantleMedia.
Stephanie was named one of Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in 2013 and has been featured in leading publications like: The Hollywood Reporter, Variety and The Wall Street Journal.
Tonight, we’re at the Sunset Tower ‘Tower Room’ catching up!
NAME: Stephanie Horbaczewski
OCCUPATION: President, CEO and Co-Founder of StyleHaul
COMPANY NAME: StyleHaul
EDUCATION: BA in Classics from Trinity College and a JD/MBA from Suffolk University
Wh0 was your inspiration to pursue your dreams?
I come from a very ambitious and entrepreneurial family on both sides. One of my grandfathers was a successful entrepreneur and my brother is the CRO of Tough Mudder. Our parents inspired us- always saying we could do anything and supporting our journeys. The idea of changing the world and leaving an impact has been something I never gave up on even when told no or that the odds were against me– it was innate and inherent. I felt this way long before starting StyleHaul and when the opportunity to merge all my passions appeared I knew this was it.
What are you wearing right now?
All black everything of course, fur- even in August, lots of jewelry and a Givenchy tote.
What has been one of your biggest career challenges? How did you overcome it?
Starting a company. It is challenging, exciting, terrifying, rewarding and basically every emotion in between. You can’t be afraid- once you get over the hurdle you have to accept things will break and you will need to pivot every day. When we first launched StyleHaul we had 4 people- I was the recruiter for the first 300 channels myself. Now we have 60 employees, 4 offices, more than 4,600 channels in 63 countries and we’re growing every day. Each day presents new challenges and not unlike the first day– only now we tackle everything as if an opportunity and as a team.
What is one of your greatest defining moments within the industry?
I don’t think we have seen “the” defining moment yet. There have been a lot of interesting and innovative developments in the space, everything from YouTube appointing a female CEO, Hollywood studios casting YouTube stars in films and TV shows, outlets like Variety and Fast Company putting YouTube stars on the cover, marquee brands like Maybelline and Macy’s shifting marketing dollars to the YouTube and the acquisition of a new media network by a storied traditional one. Reading the recent articles that the power YouTube stars is more influential than what we call traditional celebrities is exciting. In the next few years I believe we will see some tremendous accomplishments as the new media space works more effectively with the traditional.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received
Find something that inspires you and do it every day.
Heels or Flats?
Heels!
What are you drinking ?
Ciroc and soda
Beyoncé or Rihanna?
This is a no win! Today I am going to say Beyoncé because I recently saw the On The Run Tour in NYC and it was amazing. But Rihanna in the recent Balmain campaign pics with Naomi Campbell and Iman is incredible.
NYC or LA?
Since I spend half my month in each I can’t choose! LA wins for weather but NY has an unbeatable energy.
Lip Gloss or Lip Stick?
Lip gloss
Clutch or Tote?
Tote, I have too much stuff to carry for a clutch.
Laptop or Tablet?
Laptop
Text or Call?
Text
Coffee or Tea?
Iced Green Tea
iPhone or Android?
iPhone
Number Cruncher or Artist?
Artist
Fall or Spring?
?Fall in NYC, Spring in LA.
Boyfriend or Skinny Jean?
I am a skirts and dresses girl but Skinny over Boyfriend.
Whose concert are you most likely to be front row at and why?
This answer would change every day. I love music and the StyleHaul offices are very diverse– everyday everyone is streaming and listening to something different, hip-hop, country, indie rock, and I love it all.
Favorite social media platform?
YouTube is of course my favorite because of the incredible medium that video is. But Twitter TWTR +2.7% for news and conversation and Instagram because the way people use only one image and a short title to tell you so much about themselves is so interesting.
Pet peeve?
Dishonesty and chipped nails.
Hidden talent?
I was an ?archeologist.
Sunrise or Sunset?
I get a lot of work done after dark- so Sunset.
What does being a woman mean to you?
Community, beauty and strength.
List your 3 best strengths
I’m creative, honest and compassionate.