Building Estyleshaker for Confidence —Lucia Csobonyei

“Every time I see that spark in a client’s eyes, I know I’m doing exactly what I was meant to do – with Estyleshaker.”

When Lucia Csobonyei says those words, it’s not just about clothes. It’s about transformation, the kind that begins in front of a mirror but reaches far beyond. Yes, she started in fashion. Yes, she helps women curate wardrobes they actually love.

But what she’s really doing, through her business Estyleshaker and her coaching practice, is guiding women out of stuck places and back into themselves.

“I’m an entrepreneur with my heart and soul,” she tells us. “I love to help people on their transformation journey.”

And that journey has taken Lucia from in-person wardrobe makeovers in Dubai to building a smart digital styling platform, with global ambitions that include reducing fashion waste and helping women dress, live, and show up more intentionally.

This is her story.

From Closet Cleanouts to Code

Lucia’s career began with something incredibly personal: helping women rediscover their confidence through clothes. She worked as a wardrobe stylist and makeover specialist, diving into closets and coming out with something deeper than just better outfits.

But as her client list grew, she found herself needing a better way to extend the experience beyond the session.

“I needed something I could give them after we were done,” she recalls. “Some kind of guide or takeaway. But doing everything manually, taking measurements, calculating body shapes, was just too much.”

That challenge led to the creation of Estyleshaker, an online platform that digitizes the styling process. Working alongside a business partner who handled the tech side, Lucia took everything she was doing offline, style guides, wardrobe mapping, and outfit planning, and turned it into an interactive, self-service tool.

“It started small,” she says, “but then we just kept adding features.”

Today, Estyleshaker offers users:

• A personalized style guide based on their body measurements
• A virtual wardrobe to track and mix outfits
• A downloadable styling program, Styling Secrets, is for those who prefer DIY learning over hiring a personal stylist

But beneath the features is a clear mission: helping women feel good in their clothes and confident in themselves.

Shopping Smarter in a Consumer-Heavy Culture

Lucia lives in Dubai, a city known for fashion, abundance, and retail therapy. But what she noticed through years of styling work was a different pattern.

“People here buy a lot,” she says. “But most women only use 30 to 40 percent of their wardrobe. The rest just sits there.”

Estyleshaker isn’t just about outfits, it’s about changing how people relate to their clothes. By helping users understand what they already own, what fits their body, and what’s actually missing, the platform allows them to shop intentionally and reduce waste.

“It’s not about buying more. It’s about buying wisely,” Lucia explains. “You save money, you save time, and you actually feel better getting dressed every day.”

Building with Heart and Hustle

Of course, building a digital product like Estyleshaker wasn’t easy, especially for someone who started her business face-to-face, not in front of a screen.

“One of my biggest challenges was translating what I knew into something technical,” she says. “My expectations were high. I believed everything was possible. But sometimes the tech just couldn’t meet the vision. Finding the right team was hard.”

Still, she didn’t give up. Instead, she kept refining her process, asking new questions, and learning how to communicate her ideas in a language developers could build from. It’s a recurring theme in her story, finding a way, no matter how many times it takes.

“There’s always a solution,” she says. “You just have to look harder for it.”

Wearing Many Hats and Keeping It Together

Lucia doesn’t just run a business at Estyleshaker. She’s also a certified transformation coach, a podcast host, and a mother of two. Her secret to juggling it all? Honest planning and letting go of perfection.

“I’m not 100% everywhere, and that’s okay,” she laughs. “Some weeks are better than others. But I’ve learned how to prioritize what matters most.”

For Lucia, tools like automation, pre-scheduled content, and a very loyal calendar help keep her life in motion. Her styling programs run on autopilot, her podcast is batch-recorded, and her coaching sessions are timed around her family’s schedule.

“If I don’t plan my time, it’s chaos. I used to say yes to everything, then realized I had five things at the same time.”

On Impact, Community, and Knowing Your “Why”

When asked what impact means to her, Lucia doesn’t hesitate.

“For me, it’s helping people move forward, faster, lighter, happier,” she says. “Whether it’s through Estyleshaker or coaching, I want people to feel unstuck. To let go of the past and enjoy their lives more.”

She’s also learned how powerful the right collaborations can be. “At first, I thought I could do everything by myself. But no, you need people. The right partner can change everything.”

In fact, Estyleshaker wouldn’t exist without collaboration. Lucia credits her co-founder for helping bring the platform to life and says their shared energy helped them create something neither could have built alone.

“Working with someone who shares your passion, who gives 100%, that’s when the real magic happens.”

Her Advice to Women Founders: Don’t Play Small

Lucia speaks passionately about women building in the MENA region and the mindset shifts that need to happen first.

“Women are powerful. We’re creators. But too many of us play small,” she says. “If something’s holding you back, you need to find it and let it go. Deal with it before you go on this journey.”

She’s also honest about the mental ups and downs that come with entrepreneurship.

“There are moments when you’ll feel lost. That’s okay. Just go back to your ‘why.’ Remind yourself why you started, and begin again, even if it takes 15 times. Magic still happens.”

What’s Next for Estyleshaker?

The current version of Estyleshaker is what Lucia calls “phase zero.” But there’s more on the horizon.

“Our next step is to build an app,” she says. “Something global. Something that helps reduce fashion waste and helps people use their style more intentionally.”

It’s a big goal, but one that feels true to Lucia’s entire journey: thoughtful, forward-thinking, and full of purpose.

And One Fun Fact…

Lucia’s story is filled with insight and strategy, but she’s not above a little sweetness.

“Whenever I crave something sweet, I sneak into my kids’ multivitamin stash,” she confesses with a laugh. “Those gummy bears? That’s my guilty pleasure. I feel like I’m eight years old again.”

At Tribe Techie, we believe founders like Lucia represent what the future of tech and wellness can look like: grounded, human, and impact-driven. From closets to confidence, Estyleshaker is just getting started, and so is she.

Inspired? Stay tuned for more stories from founders across the MENA region who are building the future one bold step at a time.