When Nepherterra Estrada was a student at Johnson C. Smith University, she interned at Pride Magazine, where she met Dee Dixon. After graduating with a B.A. in communications, Estrada, 35, returned home to Milwaukee, where she co-founded Mosaic Communications in 2004. She eventually returned to Charlotte to launch Pride Public Relations with Dixon. She lives in Charlotte with her family, Kendrick Best and their son, Bryson Best. And by the way, most people call her Neph – her mom created the name, combining Egypt’s Queen Nefertiti with another name she liked, Terra.

Q. Have you noticed differences in style between Milwaukee and Charlotte?

In Milwaukee you have to learn how to make a huge coat and boots, and maybe earmuffs, look fashionable.

Q. What’s the first piece of clothing you remember buying for yourself?

In high school I remember buying tennis shoes, K Swiss, which at the time were fabulous. I would not be caught dead in them today.

Q. How does your sense of style help you do your job?

It gives me that little extra oomph that I need to do what I do in public relations. Because I’m not in corporate I have a little leeway to be more funky, but I try not to take it too far. It allows my personality to come through.

Q. Do you have a favorite designer?

I do admire Ted Baker. I really like the clean lines. I only have a couple of pieces, but he gives me inspiration.

Q. Do you favor certain colors?

I need more color in my life. I’m a real black and tan kind of girl. I’m working with a fantastic stylist now, and she has opened my mind in new ways. Her name is Felicia Bittle ( feliciabittle.com).

Q. What made you hire a stylist?

I have a lot of things on my plate, so in those instances when I don’t have time to find something for myself, it’s great to have someone who knows what I like and can bring me a few things to try in my home, versus me, running around the mall or trying to find boutiques. The timing works out.

Q. What accessory can’t you live without?

It’s an oversized Gucci handbag that goes everywhere with me. I can fit my laptop in this bag. I can fit my life in this bag.

Q. Tell me where you shop.

Lotus is definitely one of my favorites. At SouthPark, my favorites are Nordstrom and Belk. Belk has really expanded their shoe selection. Luna in Phillips Place has a lot of cute pieces. I love the style of clothes that they have and I love the price point. I like Cache and BCBG for belts.

Q. Describe a favorite pair of shoes.

I have a pair I purchased from Off Broadway and they are gold metallic and they look like they have leaf petals placed all around them. They are not eight-hour shoes, but gosh they’re cute.

Q. What’s next on your list to buy?

I’m preparing for a cruise in June, so I want to get a cool swimsuit situation going on.

Q. What do you look for in earrings?

I love an earring that dangles and has a little sparkle to it

Q. What was your best bargain?

A BCBG dress that I wore to the Pride Awards gala. It is a black dress, and it’s bedazzled. It was 50 percent off, and then I got an additional 2 percent. I don’t know how I’m going to top that.