In Conversation with Anastasiia Toropova
Tell us about your background:
I am a corporate professional and a personal stylist & lifestyle content creator, based in New York City. My career began in the corporate world, where I gained my expertise in marketing and strategy with global brands like Shiseido and American Express. With a master’s degree in Marketing Science from Columbia Business School, I developed a strong foundation in areas such as consumer insights, pricing strategy, and brand management - skills that have always been centered on understanding and delivering value to the consumer.
In 2024, I decided to explore a more personal connection with consumers by launching my styling services, StyledByAnastasya. This venture has been deeply fulfilling, allowing me to empower both men and women by enhancing their confidence through personal style. Styling is not just about clothing. It’s about empowering individuals to recognize their own strength, celebrate their uniqueness, and feel both confident and comfortable in their outfits. This entrepreneurial journey has not only deepened my understanding of consumer behavior but also provided me with invaluable insights into the power of storytelling and creativity in connecting with audiences.
Today, I’m passionate about combining the strategic expertise I cultivated in the corporate sphere with the creative, consumer-centric approach I’ve developed as a stylist. While I continue to offer styling services, I am also actively seeking opportunities within the beauty and fashion industries where I can leverage my unique blend of various corporate and entrepreneurial experience. My goal is to help brands create innovative, meaningful solutions that resonate with consumers and align with broader business objectives.
As an immigrant from Russia, my journey hasn’t been without challenges. I moved to the United States in 2018, navigating complex visa requirements that possess significant restrictions on what I can do while pursuing my career and personal dreams. This year, I finally achieved a significant milestone: obtaining my green card. This experience has taught me resilience, the value of building genuine connections, and the importance of working hard to create opportunities, no matter the obstacles.
What do you wish you’d known when you started out?
I wish I had realized earlier that career growth doesn’t have to follow a linear path. The most valuable lessons often come from unexpected experiences, and the ability to connect diverse skills and perspectives can be a powerful asset.
Best career advice you've ever received?
"Your network is your net worth." This advice completely shifted how I view career growth. Networking isn’t just about meeting people - it’s about building genuine relationships and learning from others’ experiences. Some of the best opportunities in my career have come from conversations, not applications.
What leadership qualities are important to you?
Empathy, adaptability, and vision are essential to me. A great leader inspires trust, fosters collaboration, and empowers others to innovate by creating a supportive and inclusive environment.
What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?
The biggest challenge has been integrating my entrepreneurial pursuits with my corporate expertise. Building my personal styling business taught me the value of one-on-one consumer interactions, while my corporate experience has equipped me to think strategically at scale. I’ve learned to embrace this duality and use it as a strength to connect individual insights with larger brand strategies.
And for fun, what is your favorite wardrobe staple?
A perfect oversized blazer is the ultimate power piece that adds sophistication to any look. Whether paired with jeans or styled over a dress, it balances feminine & masculine as well as professionalism & creativity seamlessly.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbs-anastasiia-toropova/
Website: https://www.styledbyanastasya.com
Instagram: @anastasyato
