Meet Jacqui, the inspiring woman behind our latest "SEEN" series who's living proof that new beginnings can happen at any age. After spending 36 years as a school founder and principal in New York City, she's now found her calling as a pro-age stylist (The Details of Style) bringing together her background in education with her love for fashion. Jacqui's on a mission to help older women find their authentic style with her refreshingly honest approach. It's a new chapter that finally lets her live in the moment while empowering others to feel confident in their personal expression—and I couldn't wait to chat with her.
Q&A with Jacqui Getz
1. What are you most proud of so far in your life, and how does it make you feel?
When asked what she's most proud of in her life, Jacqui doesn't hesitate: "My marriage, my three daughters, my career, my friendships... the community I've built." Married for nearly 39 years, she speaks with genuine pride about her three amazing daughters and a career where she took risks, made mistakes, learned, and kept moving forward.
"I'm proud that I retired early when I knew I was done. Going to grad school, starting a business... I'm just happy that things keep moving forward, and I'm proud of the momentum in my life," she reflects. "Nothing grand or beauty or amazing, it's the things we all hope for."
2. What has been a challenge you faced in your life, and what did you learn from it?
Jacqui approaches life's challenges with a refreshing perspective. Rather than dramatizing difficulties, she focuses on what she's learned from them.
"I don't have dramatic Netflix movie challenges," she explains with characteristic candor. It's her approach to professional challenges that reveals her character.
"Job challenges were where I had a different physical and emotional reaction," she shares. "I am happy I weave things into my life."
Her philosophy is clear: "Every challenge is relative to the individual. I don't want to dramatize the challenges. I just want to be what did I learn from them, and how do I use that for the next one?"
3. What's an important and unexpected change you've made in your life?
"Definitely not identifying as an educator," Jacqui states firmly. This shift represents a profound transformation for someone whose identity was deeply intertwined with education throughout her life.
"My mother was a teacher. I married a teacher. We both became principals," she explains. Yet when retirement came, she made a clean break: "I was so clear that I didn't, as much as I loved being an educator and loved the creativity, I was so clear in my head and my heart that that was not going to be me anymore."
4. When did you first feel truly seen and understood for who you are?
For Jacqui, this moment came with retirement. After years of living under the scrutiny that comes with being an educational leader, stepping away brought unexpected liberation.
"I literally felt like I don't have to pretend anymore. No more imposter syndrome, nothing. I'm starting from the beginning. I'm humbled. I'm so happy to be a learner. I'm so happy not to be in charge."
She describes the freedom of shedding her professional persona: "I'm so happy to know nothing. I'm so happy to be in grad school and learning and asking for help... just being able to do exactly what I want without even thinking twice about it, not answering to anyone. It is very liberating."
5. In what ways do you feel more authentically yourself now than ever before?
Jacqui's retirement has allowed her to live more authentically by creating space for personal connections that weren't possible during her career.
Now, she embraces the freedom that comes with age and retirement. This new chapter has given her permission to prioritize her own needs and preferences after years of accommodating others. She finds it liberating to make decisions based on what works best for her rather than feeling obligated to put others first.
6. What advice would you give to your younger self?
Jacqui is skeptical about the value of giving advice to her younger self: "I don't think I would have listened to any other advice when I was younger, quite honestly."
She acknowledges the importance of both living in the present and planning ahead: "As a younger person, I'm glad I didn't do that all the time. I'm glad I kept thinking and moving forward, because I think part of life is that thinking ahead, that planning."
She even defends the value of worry: "Worry is underrated. It is okay to worry. It's not okay to over-worry, but worry does make you a little bit more observant and vigilant."
7. What wisdom have you gained that could only come through living these years?
"Living in the present, 100%," Jacqui responds without hesitation. As a self-described "catastrophic worrier" with a tendency toward hypervigilance, she has learned to appreciate the small joys of each day.
"I just love waking up and it's sunny. I'm like, 'Thank you. That's great,'" she laughs. "I'm just happy if no one messes with my routine."
She acknowledges this skill came with time: "I'm very much like every day really does count. It really does count."
"As we age it is inevitable that our bodies finish but our hearts can grow—we can in fact become better versions of ourselves," she muses. "I adore aging because I am braver, just as determined, and thrilled to learn from other people because they are so smart!"
8. What do you want your legacy to be?
When asked what matters most, Jacqui doesn't hesitate. "My girls, 100%," she says with a smile.
You can hear the warmth in her voice as she hopes they'll find their own happiness while keeping family bonds strong. She gets emotional recalling moments when their cards reveal they've been paying attention to her values all along.
"I'd never push them to be mini-mes," she laughs. "But I want them to see someone who keeps moving forward despite mistakes, approaching life with humor, kindness, and always listening."
9. Which medallion resonates with you?
When presented with our Medallion Collection—Trailblazer, Star Gazer, Wild-at-Heart, and Free Spirit—Jacqui was initially drawn to all of them. "Who wouldn't want to be all of them?" she remarked, adding that the medallions are "aspirational."
But ultimately, she chose the Free Spirit medallion to represent this chapter in her life.
"At this point in my life, I would pick Free Spirit," she explains. "I feel creative and happy and calm... lucky and grateful, and like I can move forward in any direction I want."
Like the bird that symbolizes this medallion, Jacqui has found the freedom to follow wherever the wind carries her, liberated from others' expectations and free to chart her own course.
Find Jacqui on her website, The Details of Style, and here on Instagram.
Our "SEEN" series features remarkable women who embody the spirit of our medallion collection. Each woman chooses the medallion that best represents her journey and shares the wisdom she's gained along the way.
Shop the Free Spirit Medallion and explore the full Mini Medallion Collection.