Street Style: Meet Stephanie Woodland Kelly
“I’m not an extrovert, I had to develop it, I was the bookworm, the youngest in a big, boisterous family,” says Stephanie Woodland Kelly. “I have five brothers and a sister. When I got to college I had to learn how to develop those skills. I’m glad there were no mobile phones back then. The mistakes I made…it wasn’t a big deal.”
Originally from Landover, Maryland, Stephanie attended North Carolina A&T State University, the largest public HBCU in the country, where she received a full academic scholarship. “It was all foreign to me, I registered and attended sight unseen. It was a huge change and as I moved into the dorm, I heard the whispers, ‘There’s a new girl here.’ And they were all from the DMV and took me under their wing. Those undergrad relationships are the ones I still have today… my fellow Aggies.”
She’s an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and their Alexandria chapter. “We’re very close, our impact is a combination of sisterhood in addition to societal impact…addressing food insecurity, mentoring and tutoring in Arlington and Alexandria.”
I ask how she became an accountant. “I didn’t choose it, it chose me. I was in the top five percent of my class and was being pushed towards the Ivy Leagues. I received huge financial packages, but it still wasn’t enough money to afford it. I had a mentor, and he asked, ‘Do you want to go to college?’ I shared that money was the barrier, and he said, ‘If I remove that barrier, is there anything that would stop you? I have a place for you. Full tuition room and board if you’re interested. There are scholarships for accounting majors.’”
She says it’s not something that she would have chosen for herself, but she really didn’t know what major she wanted, and this provided direction and a future path. “I was the only person in my family that went to college; HBCUs were designed to educate Black folks because we had been forbidden to attend other schools.”
Stephanie went straight into the corporate world after graduation. “I was at Mobil Oil Corporation/ExxonMobil for 15-16 years, and then I took some time off when my husband and I were trying to have a baby. I then joined the finance committee at Christ Church in Old Town when a friend shared they needed help. I eventually became their controller, managing the accounting and retired this past January after working there for 17 years.”
Stephanie Woodland Kelly
Photography: Renée C. Gage Photography
Self-styled
Hair: LaTrina Wilson
Makeup: Marlisa Cornitcher Beauty
Shoot location: AR Workshop Alexandria, 1212 King Street, Alexandria
Days later she embarked on her next chapter at AR Workshop at 1212 King Street, a boutique DIY studio that offers hands-on classes for creating custom, charming home decor from raw materials. They host instructor-led workshops where participants can make custom wood plank signs, framed signs, canvas pillows, round signs, centerpiece boxes, canvas tote bags, candles, chunky knit blankets and more. This I need – sign me up for a chunky knit blanket workshop!
“I remember passing it back in 2022…they had some kind of crafts table outside. I’m a huge crafter, I even have a craft room at home. The whole drive home I kept repeating the name “AR Workshop…AR Workshop,” so I wouldn’t forget it. Once home, she Googled it and joined the mailing list.
For her 55th birthday, she and 20 friends had participated in a floral design workshop at Helen Olivia. “Everyone had such a good time, and months later brought it up: ‘Remember when we did that workshop?’ And then I saw the email from AR Workshop Alexandria…” The stars were aligning.
It was for sale, the owner had sent an email to her entire customer base. “I talked to my husband about being ready to retire, period. But he didn’t understand. He said, ‘This is God. Look at your God-given gifts, passion for crafting, and 40-year background in accounting, which is the bedstone of any business.’ It was Brian who talked me into it.”
She signed the papers in January and on February 1, 2024, “AR Alexandria was mine.” If she had to do it over again, Stephanie said she would have given herself more time. She had to train for two weeks, while also still holding her full time work before retirement. “There were business licenses, registering with the state…insurance. It was days of recovering passwords and email logins with the previous owner…unlinking accounts…it was a lot. No break, no down time. I just jumped right in.”
This summer, she and Brian were finally able to take a breather. She credits her staff of college kids who have more availability then for the break. “We went to St. Lucia in June, Mexico in August for my birthday, and Grenada for our 29-year anniversary.”
Right now she’s busy turning over the shop for Christmas with the retail boutique, craft designs and display windows. “I am definitely looking forward to the holidays, it will be super busy…I love seeing everyone happy. I love hearing people say ‘We’re not artsy,’ when they walk in and by the time they complete their craft – they’ve transformed into new people. I love seeing that transition! And today we just received a five-star review from a woman who came in with her mom, who was very hesitant at first. By the end, she was operating the power tools herself! That made my day.”
And during her shoot, Stephanie made our day. Check out her Street Style:
ABOUT STEPHANIE
Neighborhood: Clinton, MD
Hometown: Landover, MD
What would surprise people about you? That I'm actually not an extrovert.
Favorite movies: Forrest Gump
Guilty Pleasure: Chick fil-A Cookies & Cream milkshake
Latest binge-watch: Reasonable Doubt on Hulu
Bucket list travel destination: I'm fortunate that my husband and I love to travel so we've checked off a few places already including so many Caribbean destinations, South Africa, Greece, London and Paris; However, we're hopeful that safari in Botswana will be up next.
STYLE
Define your style in three words or less. Comfy. Classic. Chic.
The go-to piece in your wardrobe: Gucci platform sneakers.
Favorite trend: Custom, handcrafted earrings by Cody Curry, Hyde Your Jewelry
Beauty product you can’t live without: MAC Prep+Prime Fix+ finishing mist and Fenty Beauty We're Even longwear concealer.
Boots, heels or sneakers? Sneakers, hands down!
WELLNESS
Go-to way to de-stress: Massage/The spa
Most fun way to stay active: Yoga
Wellness goal: Drink more water
Want to try: Aerial yoga
Proudest wellness achievement: Surviving cancer
HOME
Favorite room in your home: It's a toss up between my bedroom and my craft room.
Antiques, modern, or a mix? Mix
Last item bought for your home: Two navy blue leather sofas for my family room.
Favorite way to entertain: Over food
Clutter-free or well-lived in? Clutter-free
Next planned purchase: Vacation
ALEXANDRIA
What do you love about Alexandria Stylebook? I love the focus on Alexandria's small business owners and the wonderful and energetic team who leads it.
Favorite spot in Alexandria: Sugar House Day Spa
Your Go-to Shop: AR Workshop Alexandria, of course!
Best food spot: Ada's on the River
Favorite local organization: I'm really enjoying familiarizing myself with The Chamber ALX.
Annual Alexandria events you most look forward to: My staff has been talking about the Old Town Boat Parade since I purchased the franchise earlier this year, so I'm really looking forward to it!