The Business of Image Consulting
An image consulting business could be the perfect home based business for those who have a knack for balance, color and psychological impact and a strong desire to help others achieve a positive image with their targeted audience.
According to the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI), an image consultant is:
a professional who provides services for individuals and corporations through coaching, presentations, seminars, and workshops.
While most image consultants specialize in specific areas, in general image consultants offer their clients counseling and assistance in image enhancement, which can include appearance, attitude, effective communication, social etiquette, branding and more. So in short, an image consultant's job is to help individuals make an impact on others through appearance and attitude.
Talented individuals who start a home based image consulting business could find it challenging, lucrative and exciting. Potential clients can include upwardly mobile individuals setting out on a new career, business executives trying to relate to their stockholders, customers and peers, actors and news personalities attempting to project a successful image, brides-to-be who are challenged in the wardrobe or social etiquette areas, and a host of others looking for expert advice on how they can physically and/or psychologically create an impact.
About Noelle Hoyt
Noelle Hoyt, owner of Boutique Noelle, strives to determine how a client can best achieve a look that will reflect their best qualities both personally and professionally. Her home based image consulting business was introduced to the community in the spring of 2004.
Meeting clients on an appointment-only basis, Noelle is dedicated to helping her clients find just the right items that will help them accomplish their goals. She maintains a database of her clients' purchases, tastes and sizes so she can quickly help them adjust from season to season by adding clothing pieces that complement what they already own. According to Noelle, “Anyone can walk out the door looking great and feeling confident. You just have to know how to put the right pieces together.”
Noelle features seasonal "trunk shows" by appointment at her home, and she is very active in charitable causes. In October of 2005, her Boutique Noelle hosted a very successful fashion show to benefit Project Just Because (PJB), a Hopkinton, Massachusetts based charitable organization that serves families in need with basic necessities like clothing, bedding, baby items, school supplies, furniture and other important special care items.
In our interview, Noelle talks about her business, her passion for image consulting, the type of work she's involved in and the success she's enjoyed with her home based business.
What does an image consultant do?
As an image consultant I assess and evaluate a client's overall appearance and determine how best to achieve a look that will reflect his/her best attributes - both personally and professionally.
What kind of background, skills or talents would be important for someone who wants to become an image consultant?
A genuine passion and interest in helping others achieve their best possible overall appearance while taking into account the lifestyle and image they're trying to reflect.
I also have an extensive fitness background, which allows me to better understand body composition in assessing body types in order to properly “fit” a client's clothing needs.
Is there any type of formal training or certification available to become an image consultant?
Yes, there are several professional organizations an individual can find that provide training. It's important for an image consultant to have an understanding of textiles, clothing silhouettes and color basics.
What type of equipment or supplies would someone need if they were just starting out in image consulting?
Mainly an investment in the knowledge of the fashion industry and image consulting.
Tell me about your home based business - Boutique Noelle – how long have you been in operation, what types of clients do you service, and how do you find new clients?
Boutique Noelle was introduced to the community in the spring of 2004. I showcase a private label, boutique style women’s clothing line called ETCETERA, based in NYC. This is a division of the CARLISLE group which has been a leader in private label women’s clothing for over 20 years.
What kind of work did you do before you started Boutique Noelle? Did you have any kind of entrepreneurial or self-employment experience?
I have a broad fitness background in which I am certified to teach group instruction and I've also studied personal training. I focused my work on children, hoping to make a difference in the declining fitness levels of youth. I created and developed a program called “Fit-N-Fun” in which I lead pre-school aged children in pre-schools, daycare centers, gyms and local park and recreation departments.
What prompted you to go into image consulting as a home business? At the time you started, did you jump into it full time or were you working somewhere and started your business on a part-time basis?
It was originally a part-time endeavor, but, as the business grew I expanded the range of services to include providing alterations as well as shoe and accessory shopping. I also provide closet consultations in which I will go to the client's home and evaluate their wardrobe in order to help them sort out their clothing needs.
