Next Meeting & AICI Membership Info

Greetings!

It’s the first day of autumn, everyone. Bye-bye summer :(

I just wanted to keep you informed:

1) Our next meeting is on November 4, 2007 in Columbus, OH. The location is

still to be determined. We are always open to suggestions.

2) Our featured speaker will be Jill Haney, AICI.

Boutique Business:

Serving your clients and enhancing your business through relationships with boutiques.

Jill will also discuss choosing the right jeans for your clients and you and how to track fashion trends like a pro.

Jill Haney has over 15 years of retail experience in sales, management and as a buyer. She was the managing owner of one of Cincinnati's premier boutiques - which was profiled as one of Cincinnati Magazine's "Best Of.”

3) Last year our board of directors voted to limit attendance at our meetings by non-members to two times.

If you have attended your allotted two meetings (this includes August’s retreat), we invite you to join us and continue to enjoy the unique educational opportunities and camaraderie we are proud to provide.

(Also, AICI members receive discounts on our international conference – May 2008 in Tampa – and on our chapter meetings.)

If you are interested in AICI membership, the membership categories are as follows:

Associate Member
Dues: $275 per year
Privileges: As an Associate member, you can

· Vote locally and internationally;

· Hold local office and serve on local and international committees;

· Attend local and international meetings; and

· Use the AICI logo and “Associate Member of AICI” under your name.

To Qualify, you must be an entrepreneur or corporate employee working in the field of image consulting or a related field.

Affiliate Member
Dues: $275 per year
Privileges: As an Affiliate member, you can

· Serve on local committees if it is not a conflict of interest;

· Attend local and international meetings; and

· Use the designation “Affiliate Member of AICI” after your name.

To Qualify, you must be an individual working in an affiliated business and be supportive of the Image Industry.

Student Member
Dues: $165 per year
Privileges: As a Student member, you can

· Serve on local and committees;

· Attend local and international meetings; and

· Receive a reduced rate for membership dues, conference registration fees, and, at the discretion of the chapters, local meeting fees.

To Qualify, you must be enrolled at an accredited educational institution (college or university) in preparation for an image- or fashion-related career. Proof of registration and enrollment are required. Student status cannot exceed two years.

Here’s the link: http://www.aici.org/join/categories.htm

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Happy Fall to you!

Kristen Kaleal
President
AICI OH/PA Chapter
kristen@kkimagedesign.com
(440) 742-0385

Image Consulting as a Career

Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 1, 2007

Improving the Image

You've seen them while watching TV shows such as Extreme Makeover, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy or What Not to Wear. Image consultants are paid to show people how to create a fabulous impression. They also offer advice that can help people land a job, get a promotion or find someone to love. Kristen Kaleal is founder and president of Kristen Kaleal Image Design, a Cleveland-based image consulting company.

Q: What are the opportunities in this field of work?

A: Image consultants can do a variety of things from working one-on-one with clients where we organize closets and shop with them or for them to speaking for companies and organizations on professional image and style. Some cities are naturally more image-conscious and present more chances to ply your trade.

Q: What are the typical requirements for employment?

A: You must to be willing to work for yourself with the understanding that it means not having a steady and stable income. You are the greatest example of your abilities, so presenting your own flawless image at all times is a must. A lot of people believe that if you love to shop, you can be an image consultant. There is a lot more to it than that.

Q: What are the frustrations?

A: Cleveland is not intensely image-conscious, like L.A. or New York, so creating a profitable business here can be a challenge. Working outside of the area at times is mandatory.

Q: What changes do you think are coming?

A: There is currently a backlash against strict corporate image - the navy suit mentality, I call it. People are happiest at their jobs when they are allowed to be themselves while still dressing appropriately for work. Business casual dress was supposed to bridge this gap, but has created its own challenges. It really is an exciting time because a new professional standard is being created, and I get to be one of the people making it happen.

Q: What does it take to succeed?

A: The one inescapable fact is that if you want to be a working image consultant, 80 percent of your success is in how well you market yourself. I have an e-mail newsletter, a style column on ClevelandWomen.com and my blog. Professional affiliations are also a must. I am president-elect of the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) so I can actively watch the industry from a local, national and international perspective.

So You Think You Want to be an Image Consultant?

By AICI OH/PA president Kristen Kaleal (http://kristenkaleal.blogspot.com)

I receive several calls and emails every month from people who want to do what I do for a living.

People naturally assume that my career involves lots and lots of shopping. How fun does that sound? For most women, it probably sounds like the best job in the world!

While yes, I do provide personal shopping services, there is far more to it than that.

There are several prerequisite skills for an image consultant:

- A Great Eye – This is something that can’t be taught. We look for harmony, balance and visual interest in our clothing and accessories. What flatters our coloring, our body and our face?

- Knowledge of Color – There are many facets of this. Personal color is just one of them. Which colors look best on a person? While this skill is entirely learnable, one must also have a great eye to put colors together to create visual interest and harmonious outfits. There is also the psychology of color and the use of color in creating slimming body lines.

- Understanding of Proportion – How do you make a long torso balance with shorter legs? What size print should a petite woman wear? Why are horizontal stripes almost always a bad idea? Again, this falls into the “great eye” category. You can learn this, but academic image training can only take you so far before instinct needs to kick in.

- The Art & Science of Shopping – This doesn’t mean if it’s pretty, you buy it. Shopping is easier said than done in most cases. Can you build a wardrobe from the ground up that looks like it was created with a master plan in mind? Can you help someone shop in their own closet – seeing new ways to use what they already have?

- Do you understand Fit? You don’t have to be a master tailor to know if an article of clothing needs a mere tweak or if it won’t fit properly regardless of what work is done to it.

If you want to be a working image consultant and do this full-time, it is imperative to have a good business mind. I spend the majority of my time – probably 80% - marketing. Networking, speaking engagements, my newsletter, the articles I write, my blog, and even my forthcoming book are some of the ways I market what I do. I have relationships with the media and with people in related professions who refer me business. I am in the paper, in magazines, or on TV on a regular basis.

We recommend the book The Perfect Fit by Lynne Marks, AICI CIM and Dominique Isbecque, AICI CIP to determine if image is the right field for you.

Retreat Minutes

Minutes from the OH/PA of the Association of Image Consultants Summer Education Retreat in Cleveland, Ohio Friday, August 17th-19th, 2007
Recorded by Jill Haney, Secretary

The OH/PA of the Association of Image Consultants Summer Education Retreat opened Friday, August 17th with a one hour Lolly the Trolley tour of downtown Cleveland. Who knew there were so many fascinating and innovative ideas and buildings that originated in Cleveland?

After the tour we had a fabulous etiquette training dinner presented by our very own LisaMarie Luccioni at the Metropolitan Cafe. Thank you LisaMarie for all that you taught us regarding table manner and dining etiquette. It was very educational indeed.

Saturday morning opened with Introductions of the Board and welcome to speakers:

Chapter Board
Kristen Kaleal, President
Erica Torres-Dudziak, Vice President
LisaMarie Luccioni, MA AICI CIP, Treasurer & Past President
Jill Haney, AICI, Secretary

Erica gave the history of AICI

Founded 1990 and currently has over 900 members in 40 countries!
In addition to image consultants, members of AICI include: dieticians, hair stylists, business consultants...a very broad range of members.

Saturday Presenters:
Coach Joelle Prochera gave a very motivational and informative presentation on living passionately and daring to dream big.

- Who we are in the future has nothing to do with who we have been in the past.

- Everything starts as a dream and we can be A Master Life Creator! In order to do this we need to follow the rules: play, show up. and be open, flexible, and curious.

Leslie Carruthers-TheSearchGuru.com

- Marketing on the internet. Your customers are searching for you online. Can they find you? Websites can be a highly productive sales channel.
- Have a strategy so your customers can find you.
- Clear business objectives: protect your domain, improve visibility (remember customers are looking for you), and increase traffic, sales, and market share through testimonials.

Assessing your website.
- Never change your domain EVER because an older domain outweighs a younger domain.
- Follow the rules of usability and be compliant on accessibility.

Set Benchmarks.
- Determine your website statistics: how many clicks, how long did visitor stay, and who are they? Check this information monthly.

Identify Keyphrases
- Understand the importance of titletag, metatag, and keyphrases. These all set a strng foundation for your SEO efforts.
- Perform keyphrase research at least once a year.

Blogging helps your business develop a corporate personality and helps grow your website. Make sure blog is on your website and not on blogspot (for example).

People and spiders need to be able to find you. People first and spiders second. Make sure those spiders can find you!

Research how your html is running.

Make sure every page of your website has a call to action.
- For example, call or e-mail for your free image consulting consultation.

Kelly Smith: Messages from Martha

The ClevelandWomen.com trend columnist was fortunate to have the opportunity to hear Martha speak on being a successful entrepreneur.

- Regarding image, Martha suggests to always look pulled together, make sure we present ourselves in a positive note when meeting someone for the first time (a positive first impression) and take into consideration how we present ourselves to others. In order to have a powerful presence we need to be aware of our attitude towards others.

- Riches in Niches: In order to be successful how can we fill a void in the marketplace and offer what no one else is offering. Always relate decisions back to the customer and how to make them happy.

- Successful entrepreneurs surround themselves with creative and supportin g individuals. They will help keep ideas fresh.

- Remember the ultimate consumer...be aware of the small details (devil is in the details as they say). Keep on top of business practices by connecting with clients and consumers.

Everyone in attendance received a copy of The Martha Rules, courtesy of the AICI OH/PA Chapter!

Debbie Carney, CPO - Business Organization Strategies
Debbie provided us with organizing solutions for our business and our personal lives.

- Organization is all about making decisions. Disorganization translates into lost revenue!

- Debbie gave us many tips and tools to help keep us organized. In particular she likes the website seejanework.com for cute tools to get our offices organized. She also recommends RoboForm software to manage and organize our passwords.

Our very own Kristen Kaleal spoke to us on Platform Building: Getting to the next level NOW!

What is a Brand? The promise of an experience. Are we consistent with who we are? What are our goals, visions, and attitudes that help us deliver the promise of our brand?

What is a Platform? That which makes you stand out from the competition. As image consultants it is important to always look the part.
- You never know if your big break is right around the corner. It's best to keep an official record of everything you do.
- We need the credentials to back up what we do. (For example, membership in AICI and testimonials from clients.)
- We need strong connections with movers and shakers in the community.
- Why do we need a Platform? It brings value to everything we do, creates buzz in our community, and makes us the obvious choice.

How to start your Platform.
- Have a website and know how many hits it receives a month.
- Speaking engagements are key in helping create buzz (check out buzzdoodle.com for tips). Always get email addresses from participants at speaking engagements.
- When on the radio or tv maintain a library for your website.
- How to build a Platform template. Have an organized resume or biography that lists your current projects, education, all professional qualifications, and all media appearances (print, radio, tv).
- Make it happen! Have a newsletter to send to everyone on your email list, schedule speaking engagements, write a book, if possible, it lends credibility and can be your ticket into the big time.

Jen Gonzalez - Hair stylist from Joey and Me salon in Amherst, OH
Jen was cute as a button and offered great information on what products to use.
Poker straight hair is out and more voluminous hair (think hot rollers) is in. Also, bobs (think Jenny McCarthy and Victoria Beckham) are hot.

- Products are our friends. Great tip...put product in wet hair and put on makeup and get dressed. Let the product sit in the hair for a few minutes. On a personal note, I have been doing this since the retreat and I notice a big difference.

- As we age hair can become very dull. Toners can provide a rich, shiny color and last 3-6 weeks. Ask your stylist about toners.

- Best home hair color is Clairol and worst is Feria. Do not use Feria because it contains sulfur and will make it difficult for hair to be treated with another color.

- Hair below the shoulders does nothing for the shape of the face....Hollywood take note.

Samuel Hilliard - Menswear specialist for Jos. A. Bank
(coming soon!)