Meet Mayra | Stylist, Entrepreneur & Philanthropist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mayra and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mayra, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Work-life balance has evolved dramatically for me over the years.

I used to think of balance as a fixed goal, something I could “achieve” and maintain. But I’ve come to see it more as a rhythm that shifts depending on the season I’m in. As a retail store owner, stylist and someone deeply involved in philanthropic work, especially with organizations like the American Heart Association and the Junior League of Charleston there are weeks where the scales tip more toward service or business. And that’s okay.

My work through StyledWell has allowed me to blend creativity and commerce, but it also demands long hours, innovation, and leadership. At the same time, my advocacy work keeps me grounded and connected to a deeper purpose. Whether I’m mentoring in the community or helping coordinate donor events, I try to make sure that whatever I’m investing time in aligns with my values.

The key has been creating intentional space for rest, for my family and for moments that refill my cup. Balance isn’t perfect but it’s intentional. And in this chapter of my life, I’m learning to honor both my ambition and my well-being, without apology.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career has never followed a straight line and that’s exactly what sets me apart. I’ve worn many hats: boutique owner, community mentor, heart health advocate, content creator, and the corporate world prior to that. What unites them all is a core belief in purpose driven storytelling, visual elegance, and building spaces, physical or digital that make people feel seen, inspired, and empowered.

When I started in fashion retail, I quickly learned the power of curation and customer connection. But my personal journey including heart surgery and a stroke pulled me deeper into advocacy. That’s when I realized I didn’t have to choose between style and substance; I could blend them. Today, I lead StyledWell, it’s more of a lifestyle brand and boutique rooted in Southern charm, quiet luxury, and the kind of real-world resilience that makes a woman unforgettable.

It hasn’t always been easy. Building a brand from the ground up while navigating grief, health challenges, and the constant push for reinvention in a saturated market taught me discipline, grace, and how to pivot with both purpose and style. I’ve learned that showing up authentically, not perfectly, is the key to true influence.

What I want the world to know is this: StyledWell is more than a brand. It’s more than a store ..It’s a personal promise—to create beauty that means something, tell stories that matter, and inspire women to take up space with confidence, even if life tried to quiet them. I didn’t just build a brand I rebuilt myself. And that journey is stitched into everything I create.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting Charleston, I’d want to give them a week that feels like the perfect blend of Southern elegance, coastal calm, and a little bit of well-placed glam.

We’d kick things off with check-in at a boutique stay like The Loutrel or Zero George, something effortlessly luxurious to set the tone. First stop? I’d grab us iced lattes from The Harbinger Café and take a slow stroll through South of Broad, soaking in the pastel homes, secret gardens, and centuries-old oak trees.

Dinner that first night would be at Anson, its a personal favorite of mine for date night and it’s a Charleston institution for a reason. We’d follow it with golden hour cocktails on the Citrus Club rooftop at The Dewberry and a late-night walk along The Battery under string lights.

Throughout the week, we’d weave in a mix of beach mornings at Sullivan’s Island, shopping on King Street and long, wine-soaked dinners at spots like The Obstinate Daughter, S.N.O.B., and Chez Nous if we’re lucky with the daily menu.

For a dose of culture and calm, I’d plan a morning at The Gibbes Museum, a visit to the Nathaniel Russell House, and a drive through Old Village in Mount Pleasant because it’s like stepping into a Nancy Meyers movie set in the South. We’d also find time for a spa treatment at The Restoration and a little boutique browsing at Out of Hand in Pitt Street.

By the weekend, it’s oysters and rosé at 167 Raw, live music at The Commodore, and a final sunset boat ride through Shem Creek. Charleston has this way of slowing you down while still making every moment feel intentional — I’d want my best friend to experience exactly that. Of course a stop to my own store, Styledwell in West Ashley is a MUST!

It’s not just about where we’d go. It’s about making them feel the rhythm of Charleston. relaxed, refined, and unforgettable.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people and organizations who’ve helped shape my journey, but I have to give a heartfelt shoutout to the American Heart Association and the Junior League of Charleston. Their missions have not only given me purpose beyond entrepreneurship they’ve given me community, mentorship, and the chance to use my voice in meaningful ways.

I also want to recognize my daughter & my husband who keep me grounded, motivated, and full of heart. Every move I make is with them in mind. And to the women in my life, my friends, fellow advocates, and collaborators—thank you for showing me that purpose and passion don’t have to be separate. We can be stylish and soulful, driven and deeply human.

Website: https://WWW.STYLEDWELLBOUTIQUE.COM

Instagram: @MAYRAARENA_

Image Credits
NONE