Meet Jessica Maney: Serenbe Stylist, Mom, & Wildlife Advocate

Serenbe-based personal stylist and virtual fashion consultant Jessica Maney brings a chic yet non-pretentious eye to styling, helping her clients to develop a sustainable capsule wardrobe. She specializes in working with women over 35, and believes that "age is just a number, and all women, regardless of their demographic, can represent themselves with wardrobe staples that enhance their inner and outer beauty." She loves to promote pre-owned options and quality investments to reduce clutter and waste.

In this interview, we get to know Jessica a little more, both as a stylist and as an individual. Read through to discover more about her styling and design philosophy, how motherhood has shaped her approach, and her passion for wildlife.

Connect with Jessica:

Instagram / Website

Photography/Interview:

Natalie Michelle

Tell us a bit about yourself and your story. Where is home for you and what brought you to Serenbe?

Home, for me, has always been less about a place and more about a feeling—a connection to nature, community, and purpose. My husband was born and raised in Atlanta, and when we began thinking about where we wanted to put down roots, Serenbe felt like the perfect fit. We were drawn to its commitment to wellness, nature, and sustainability. It offered something increasingly rare—a place where thoughtful living, connection to the land, and meaningful relationships are prioritized.

My professional journey has taken me down some unexpected paths. I spent several years living throughout Asia, working in the financial sector, where I developed a deep appreciation for intentional design and the beauty of living with less. That experience ultimately inspired both my personal philosophy and the design of the home we're now building in Serenbe.

After returning to the United States, I shifted my focus toward something that had always been close to my heart: wildlife conservation, particularly wolves. I previously served as the Director of Development for W.O.L.F. Sanctuary in Colorado, where I helped support the rescue and lifelong care of wolves and wolf-dogs. My work in wolf conservation has shaped much of how I view the world. I've long admired wolves not only for their intelligence and resilience, but also for their strong sense of family and community.

Along the way, I also launched a career as a fashion stylist, where my mantra has always been "less is more." My work is centered around three passions: conservation, intentional living, and personal style, and I encourage clients to build intentional wardrobes filled with pieces that serve a purpose and bring lasting value.

Today, as we build our Japanese-inspired home in Serenbe, we're creating a space that reflects the lessons we've gathered globally: intentional living, respect for nature, and the belief that a rich life is defined not by how much you have, but by how deeply you live. These values are the inspiration behind our home's name, Ōkami Maison. "Ōkami" means wolf in Japanese, and the concept is rooted in thoughtful design, smaller living, and creating space for what truly matters.

What inspired you to become a stylist and fashion consultant? How did you get started in your business?

Becoming a mom was really the turning point for me. My lifestyle changed, and I realized I didn’t have pieces in my wardrobe that I could quickly grab, wear on the go, and still feel polished and put together. I found myself standing in a closet full of clothes but feeling like none of them reflected who I had become. That experience sparked my passion for helping women build wardrobes that feel effortless, timeless, and authentic to their lives.

I also felt like so many brands catering to women in their 40s were either too boring, too busy, or filled with patterns and silhouettes that didn’t make women feel great about themselves. After traveling to New York several times a year, I started discovering brands and timeless pieces that felt more elevated, intentional, and wearable for real life.

Over time, women in my community began asking where I found my clothes. That naturally led to styling friends, and then through referrals, the business began to grow. It started very organically from wanting to solve a problem in my own closet—and realizing so many other women were feeling the same way.

What are some of your long-term goals, both as a stylist and as a creative person in general?

As a stylist, my goal is to continue advocating for women—especially women in their 40s and beyond—to feel confident, relevant, and truly themselves. Too often, the options seem to fall into two extremes: overly trendy and revealing, or overly conservative and uninspiring. I love the challenge of helping women find the balance between elegance, poise, personality, and a little bit of fun. Style should evolve with us, not limit us.

As a creative, I'm increasingly interested in storytelling through design, experiences, and lifestyle. Recently, I've taken on the creative direction and content development for the lifestyle brand my husband and I are building, Ōkami Maison. It's been incredibly rewarding to weave together the influences that have shaped my life, from Japanese design principles and cultural experiences abroad to my connection with nature and wolf conservation.

Long term, I'd love to continue creating meaningful content, experiences, and spaces that inspire people to live more intentionally, embrace beauty in everyday life, and feel more connected to themselves, their communities, and the natural world.

What's an item of clothing you've had the longest? What do you think will always be in fashion no matter how much time passes?

Without question, it's my Saint Laurent black blazer that my husband surprised me with for my 40th birthday. It's one of those pieces that instantly elevates everything you pair it with, whether it's jeans and a t-shirt or something more formal. I love it because it's timeless, beautifully made, and embodies everything I believe about style: buy less, choose well, and invest in pieces that last. I've always admired Saint Laurent's aesthetic—their designs feel effortless, sophisticated, and never overly trendy.

If there's one thing I think will always be in fashion, it's a perfectly tailored black blazer. Decades may pass, trends will come and go, but a great blazer never loses its relevance.

What has been the most rewarding part of your journey? What are you most proud of right now?

The most rewarding part of my journey has been helping women see themselves with renewed confidence. Style is about so much more than clothing—it's about how you feel. What I'm most proud of right now is seeing all of my passions come together. My experiences living in Asia, my work in wolf conservation, my styling career, and now building Ōkami Maison in Serenbe, have all shaped a lifestyle and creative vision that feels deeply personal and purpose-driven.

What piece of advice would you give your 18-year-old self? Your 30-year-old self?

As silly as it may sound, I've always had a deep connection to wildlife. Yet I wasn't a biologist, and I didn't study zoology. For a long time, I thought that meant there wasn't a place for me in conservation. What I've learned is that there are many ways to support the things you care about. My background in business, fundraising, storytelling, and community-building allowed me to contribute to wolf conservation in a way that was uniquely my own.

You don't always have to fit the traditional mold to make a meaningful impact. Sometimes your greatest contribution comes from combining your passions with your unique skills and experiences.

I'd also remind myself that not every chapter needs to make sense in the moment. The experiences that seem unrelated often become the foundation for something bigger later on. Looking back, every chapter has led me to exactly where I was meant to be.

Let's get to know you outside of your professional life a little bit. What is a secret talent you have?

I can sketch animals surprisingly well—and quickly. Funny enough, I'm not nearly as talented when drawing people or landscapes. Maybe it's because I've always connected more naturally with animals. Kidding. Well... mostly.

What projects are you currently working on?

One of my newest projects is launching Women & Wolves, a fireside seminar series in Serenbe in partnership with Soul Barn. This series explores the lessons wolves can teach us about leadership, resilience, intuition, and community while supporting conservation awareness. 

What's the best meal you've ever had?

This is such a difficult question because I've been fortunate enough to travel to more than 20 countries and have had some incredible meals along the way. But if I'm being completely honest, my answer is always sushi. As much as I'd love to name a hidden restaurant halfway around the world, I find myself constantly dreaming about Sugarfish in New York City. It may sound ridiculous given all the places I've been, but there's something about the simplicity, consistency, and quality that keeps me coming back.

Sometimes the best meals aren't the fanciest—they're the ones you can't stop thinking about long after you've left the table.

What's the most interesting place you've traveled to?

I've been fortunate to travel extensively, but two places stand out for very different reasons. Kyoto, Japan left a lasting impression on me because of its culture, craftsmanship, and incredible attention to detail. I was fascinated by the simplicity of the design philosophy—how beauty is found in restraint and purpose. Many of those experiences continue to inspire our home and the Ōkami Maison lifestyle today.

That said, a piece of my heart will always belong to South Africa. There is something truly transformative about being surrounded by wildlife in its natural habitat. The landscapes are breathtaking, but it's the animals and the deep connection to nature that stay with you long after you leave. It's one of the few places where I felt completely present and reminded of how important it is to protect the wild places and species that make our world so extraordinary.

What do you like to do in your free time?

You'll most likely find me at Tile Tuesdays playing Mahjong with a wonderful group of girlfriends. I love the combination of strategy, friendship, and a little healthy competition.

Whenever I can, I also make trips back to Colorado to visit the wolves at W.O.L.F. Sanctuary, a place that remains very close to my heart after my years working there.

And perhaps my favorite pastime is hosting DJ parties with my husband and our 8-year-old son, who dreams of becoming a professional DJ one day. What started as a fun family hobby has grown into something we love sharing with friends and the Serenbe community. There's something special about bringing people together through music, dancing, and connection—it always turns into one of those memorable nights where everyone leaves a little happier than when they arrived.