Image Consultant

Business Overview

As an image consultant, you’ll give clients–men as well aswomen–beauty makeovers to help them land better jobs, find a mate,shine at their weddings or just feel better about themselves.

You’llcoach them on the right wardrobe style for the image they want toproject and even weed out closets or go on shopping expeditions. You’llalso give hair and makeup advice, color-consulting, and instructionsfor self-confidence. You can also work with corporate clients byrecommending new employee uniform styles, or by teaching multiculturaletiquette or body-language basics for better sales and customerrelations.

Or you can work with clients facing the media spotlight tohelp them look and act their best. The advantages to the imageconsulting business are that you can work at home, you can start parttime with low costs, and it’s creative and satisfying–when you helpsomeone achieve a better job or media success or just feel good aboutthemselves, it can be heady stuff.

As an image consultant, you’ll needan innate sense of style and up-to-the-second knowledge of fashion,hair and makeup trends–and how to apply that makeup–in personal andcorporate settings. You’ll also want to know the latest trends andconventions in big- and small-business conduct.

Since you’re dealingwith people on one of the most personal levels, you’ll need the abilityto point out negative traits and suggest changes without hurting theirfeelings. And last but definitely not least, you’ll have to be awalking advertisement of your own advice. This is apractice-what-you-preach business–you’ll have to look polished,professional and dressed for success on all public occasions.

The Market

Your clients can be individuals who want to look sharp for a big socialoccasion, are looking for a new or better job, or have decided it’stime to turn over a whole new leaf. Your clients can also becorporations who may hire you to train groups of executives oremployees or to give the company dress code a facelift.

Place ads inlocal publications and offer coupons in direct-mail coupon books.Network in professional and civic organizations. Introduce yourself towedding consultants, caterers and event planners, who can refer you totheir clients. Give workshops and seminars for private and corporateclients.

You should also target public relations agents who may refertheir clients to you. Send PR people your brochure, then follow up witha phone call to cement your service in their minds.