Image Investment Institute

“All that you send into the lives of others, will come back into your own, tenfold”…..

“All that you send into the lives of others, will come back into your own, tenfold”…..a favorite of many quotes from Mary Kay Ash. When I moved to the Charlottesville, VA, area two years ago, I knew no one, was so lonely and just starting a new business as an image consultant.

I soon figured out that people today are just so busy that they were not going to flock to meet me. I decided to go meet them. I joined the Charlottesville Chamber and attended everything. I wanted to meet the people and find out everything I could about my new hometown. I volunteered to help at every event………you could say my new full-time job was volunteering and networking. I believed that if I was at every sign-in desk at every event, I would meet more people. Before I even finished my training with Joyce, I was recognized as “Charlottesville’s Image Consultant.”

Of course, that didn’t mean that the community was flocking to me with business. So to train myself better I started volunteering to share “how to get an “A” at the interview” in the high schools. I volunteered to do classes before job fairs for the city and non-profit organizations working with job training with the less priviledged citizens of Charlottesville.

It is amazing, the more I volunteered, the more business people have come to know me, accept and trust me in my new community. I am now getting corporate referrals. 2010 is the what I believe will be the year for the first harvest……..with one exception. Giving…..helping others gives something back that even Mastercard cannot buy. I call them the “paychecks of the heart.”

I will end with this quote by Robert Collier, “You cannot hold on to anything good. You must be continually giving – and getting. You cannot hold on to your seed. You must sow it – and reap anew. You cannot hold on to riches. You must use them and get other riches in return.”

Image and Attitude

With the Holiday Season upon us, I am reminded about how much our attitude really can affect our overall image. Have you ever met a person and just instantly liked them before even getting to really know them, only to find out that they have the best attitude and outlook on life. A great positive attitude shines through and lights us from within. Have you ever seen a photo of yourself during a particularly stressful time in your life? Besides the memories of those events, notice how you look. Do you look your best, your most vibrant and healthy? Or can you tell that something is weighing on you?
Chances are that other people noticed too.

Having great image is about more than just style.

A great image is the sum total of all the parts-in other words it’s attitude, appearance, presence, and health. Health includes good mental, emotional, and physical health. Our emotional health can affect our image in more ways than we think. We all know about the aging effects of stress. Having an effective method of stress relief can be a better anti-aging product than any serum you can find in the drug store. One inexpensive and easy way to reduce stress is by practicing an attitude of gratitude.

Why practice? Because for most of us, looking for gratitude, especially when we are in the middle of stressful situations, is not our first reaction. We all may have different ways of dealing with stress, but no matter what your immediate response is, if you practice taking a deep breath and “counting your blessings” you will find that the situations that had bothered you so much before are now not as overwhelming.

Try this simple technique to chill out and de-stress next time you are faced with one of life’s challenges:
1) Unless it would be unsafe to do so, close your eyes and take a few cleansing breaths.

2) If you have a particular faith or belief system, say a little prayer or invoke your higher power, just something to give you a positive frame of mind. If you are not spiritual or religious, think of something that brings you joy and comfort-a favorite item or person or place.

3) If it is safe to do so, either write down or imagine in your mind’s-eye the things that you are most grateful for in your life. If you are stumped and really can’t think of anything (hey, sometimes we are just that stressed!) try this: what COULD be happening that isn’t happening that you would not want to happen? For example: accidents, illness, natural disasters-all unpleasant things that are happening all around us-are they happening to you?

4) Keep counting until you feel better, more capable, and more able to handle the stress in your life. There is no time limit on this exercise so if you have to, spend the day naming and visualizing your blessings until you feel more positive.

5) Now that you are feeling a little more able to take on the world, think about this: Where is the learning? Whatever the stressor that is affecting you, it’s taking such a toll on you for a reason. So what is it that you are supposed to be learning from this experience so that next time you are able to handle it with more ease?

Job Fair Preparation

Purpose of a Job Fair

Job Fairs are not interviews. They are a networking opportunity for you to secure an interview. Attending Job Fairs can assist you in developing a career path and learning more about the industry in which you plan to work. Depending on the size of the event, allow at least 1-2 hours for circulating through the room. Really hot companies will always have several people in line for them and you will need to allow time for this.

Before the Job Fair

Bring a minimum of 25-30 copies of your resume to give to recruiters.
Use a briefcase or portfolio to carry your resumes in.
Develop a resume that can be read in less than 1 minute. Preferably one page.
Dress appropriately! Wear comfortable shoes. Dress as you would for an interview.
Obtain a list beforehand of companies that will be attending and conduct research on them. Check out their web pages!
Prepare a 2 minute introduction before the Job Fair. Be prepared to describe the job opportunities you’re looking for and the skills/experiences that you have to offer. Please practice this before you go to the Fair.

Looking the Part
A Candidate only gets SEVEN seconds to make a great first impression… and a call for an interview. It can make or break your success.

There are benefits to looking professional. Part of staying competitive is portraying an image that co-workers and clients respect. It instills self-confidence. ·Always dress for the job you want, not the one you have. You need to dress professionally for every Job Fair or interview even if the company has a casual dress policy.

Attention to detail is crucial. Here are some tips for both men and women:

Always wear clean and polished conservative dress shoes
Make sure you have a well-groomed hairstyle
Pay attention to your nails: cleaned and trimmed fingernails are a must
Wear minimal cologne or perfume
No visible body piercings beyond conservative ear piercings for women
Make sure you have well-brushed teeth and fresh breath
No gum, candy, or other objects in your mouth- they create a distraction
Wear minimal jewelry. No body odor!

At the Job Fair

Arrive on time and obtain a list of booth locations and employers.
Identify 3-5 companies that interest you and make a secondary list of employers.
When meeting a recruiter, be direct. Introduce yourself with a smile and a firm handshake.
Your goal is to get an interview. Let them know that you’re interested.
If they don’t ask for it, leave your resume with the employer before leaving the booth.
Always get a business card from the employer.
Don’t forget to network with the other participants.
Be flexible! If the next company on your list has a long line, go to another one and come back later.
It is rare for someone to be offered a job on the spot. Understand that the employer will follow up with you if he/she is interested. It’s very important that you follow up with the employer.

Handling Dialogue

You will have a very limited time with employers and will need to make a good impression and gain valuable information quickly. Carefully prepared questions can help you to learn about the company and discuss your skills.

Here are some sample questions for you to use with potential employers to open a dialogue

“What skills and characteristics are you looking for in a staff accountant?”
Once the employer answers the question, follow up by using that information to sell yourself.
“As you can see from my experience, I have…”
Have a list of 3-4 questions that you can ask every employer. (This will be practiced)
Have at least one of those questions be specific to that employer.
Examples: projects, products, qualifications they are looking for, typical day

After the Job Fair

Follow up with a thank-you letter. If you have changes to your resume, send a revised copy along with your thank-you letter. Try to send the letter within 48 hours. If the recruiter has indicated that they would like to interview you, ask them when you should expect to hear from them. If you don’t hear from them by the time they specified, you should contact the recruiter.

Leverage the Power of a Professional Image in a Down Economy: 5 Ways to Beat the Recession

If your image is a walking business card communicating who you are as a professional, then what does your image say about you? Just like marketing and branding your business, you want to be sure your focused and conscious choices about the messages your image ‘business card’ sends, noting especially if it is aligned with your professional aspirations. There is more to image than the clothes you wear. Image is the total package. Not only including clothing, how you accessorize, the way you communicate, how well- groomed you are, your poise and posture, the non verbal cues you send, your ability to maintain eye contact, and so much more. Do you know what message your image sends?

You might be vying for a promotion, looking for a new job, just starting your career or avoiding a layoff. Whichever situation you find yourself in, your professional presence needs to be commanding, polished, and credible. It is a fact that people make at least a dozen different assumptions about you based entirely on a first glance. These assumptions all have to do with the message that your image sends. This is the impact of first impressions, which I talk about frequently when I give seminars or workshops. You must nail that first impression in professional interactions because this sets the stage for how effective you will be at achieving your career goals.

Use these 5 tips from to help make sure your image is recession proof.

1. What details and characteristics do people associate with a person who is very successful in your field or type of career? Here is an example: successful physicians are known for being competent, detail oriented, intelligent and in charge. Marketing professionals who excel in their careers are associated with being creative, artistic, outside the box, and a strong communicator. Knowing the associated expectations that are assumed when people think of success in your particular field will help you to better communicate the perfect professional image that is appropriate for what you do, where you are, and where you want to go in your career. You need to be clear on what you need to communicate (via your image) for your position, corporate culture and industry.

2. Color is the most important tool in image. Colors affect us in profound ways that act on a psychological level. Knowing how to use color strategically will help you to master creating a powerful image. Colors convey their own ‘energy’ and can be used in business to achieve different outcomes. Darker colors convey seriousness, authority, and business. The most serious of these colors being black, with dark brown and navy blue coming close. Although brown can be professional, it naturally has less authority than black or navy and can convey reliability and security. (Think “earthy”, safe, and comfortable.) Although many people associate pastels with softness, approachability, and femininity, in fact pastels actually convey passivity. Red is THE power color, communicating strength, confidence, command and assertiveness and a bit of daring. Care is required when wearing red in business situations. Red is not a “no”, but should be avoided in high-stress situations or when dealing with a difficult client or employee.

3. Whether you are a professional on the fast track, a senior executive with a high profile position, an entrepreneur, business owner or a sales professional, once you are representing a company or interacting with customers or clients in any way, you become that company’s brand. You are the walking business card for your company in a powerful way. You are the personal contact for that company. The impression that a client has of you, will immediately be applied to the entire company. Does your personal brand synch with your company’s brand?

4. You must never let your image down, even for a day. Once your business associates and colleagues see you dressed to impress every day, they will associate you with the image of a person who gives 110% to their career and who cares about what they do, not just during critical times or special meetings. Consistency is vital to a powerful image. If you put as much care into how you present yourself as you do your work you will be noticed in the best possible light and will find yourself head and shoulders above of your peers who take their image for granted.

5. Make an immediate impression when you enter a room! You have just a few minutes to make that lasting first impression and either people will remember you forever or they will forget you as soon as you enter the room. ‘Presence’ – that ability to project a sense of ease, poise, command or self-assurance is an energy and an attitude. It is magnetic. It draws people to you. When you master ‘presence’ you have created the equivalent of a slam dunk, especially in your professional interactions. Get clear on the effect you want to convey to others. Then dress and act accordingly to achieve effective professional presence.

If you are still unclear how to create the most dynamic and powerful image, then contact me today.

Does Your Personal Style Reflect Your Uniqueness? Style Can be Ageless!

Does your personal style truly reflect your uniqueness? Do you feel comfortable in your own skin? Do you feel confident about what your look says about you? Do you gravitate toward just buying the fashion magazine’s latest look? Or are you constantly comparing how you look to others?

It is my professional experience that many women do not know or even own their look. Many women do not embrace their evolving uniqueness as they transition from their teens to 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and so on. I have found that many women holding on in a decade of the past and will not allow themselves to evolve and change into the woman she is at the moment. We can hold on too long to our hairstyle we wore in college, 20’s, 30’s, etc. We wear no makeup or continue to wear what we wore ten years ago. We hold on to clothes that are out-dated, worn-out or those with which we have become emotionally attached and can’t let go.

I believe that any woman can evoke the look that simply confirms her being and uniqueness. She can look chic, feminine in accordance with her personality, lifestyle and very importantly, budget. Style can be ageless. Here are the steps I recommend you follow:

Step 1: Discover what your body shape is and which styles look good on you. There are four basic female silhouettes that can basically apply to everyone. The four are:

TRIANGLE – The average version of a woman whose shoulders are narrower than the width of her hips. Regardless of whether she is flat- or full-chested, this torso proportion is defined by a definite visual difference between the width of those shoulders and the width of the hips.

HOUR-GLASS – this woman’s shoulder width is essentially the same as her hip width, and you can see an indentation at the waistline. Bust size can be anywhere from flat-chested to full-breasted.

INVERTED TRIANGLE - The shoulders are wider than the width of the hips and/or you may have a full-bust. Broad-shouldered, narrow-hipped models fall into this category.
RECTANGLE - The shoulders are and hips are balanced and there is little or no indentation at the waist.
Try on various fabrics and cuts to see how the material and shape emphasize or detract from your basic body silhouette. Remember, window shopping is okay, no need to break the bank and immediately overhaul your wardrobe.

Step 2: Inventory your wardrobe and make sure you have these wardrobe basics, which complement your silhouette and lifestyle. Get help in creating your own career wardrobe capsule, starting in your own closet. It helps to decrease the morning frustration of “what am I going to wear today.” Or “I have a closet full of closes and nothing to wear.”

Pants:

• Dark – Day Look In a simple, skimming cut and crisp high-quality fabric.

• Dark – Night Look – can wear fuller leg in a lighter high-quality fabric.

Jeans or Chinos:

• To wear with a flat heel select shorter hem to wear with flats.

• To wear with heels, have longer hems.

Skirts: • Pencil, Trouser or A-Line Cut In black or lightweight wool.

• A-line or Bias Cut In a flowy fabric for day or evening.

• Skirt in a neutral, mixable style A subtle pin stripe or tweed.

Shirts:

•   White button down In a feminine cut.
•   White T-shirts Just the basic T, a boat neck, or V-neck for casual wear.
•   Tank tops or shell-style to wear under jackets and sweaters. Choose black and several vivid         colors that compliment your skin’s undertones.

Sweaters/Cardigans:

• Black that tonally matches your black pants.

• Neutral colors in a skin flattering tone, i.e. avoid stark white if you’re fair.

• Vivid colors must emphasize your features and compliment your skin’s undertones.

Jackets

• Tailored – It should match your dark pants in color tone and style.

• Casual, motorcycle styles and windbreakers are good choices in fabrics like leather, suede, corduroy, soft wool or cotton twill.

Coats

• Trench – Good for the rain and in-between seasons – choose a neutral or black. If flattering for figure style, try a tied belt.

• Knee-length for in-between seasons.

• Winter Coat – Invest in the best fabric you can possibly afford.

Dress or matching separates that create a dress. Always have a little black dress on hand.

Accessories

• Cherish four to five high-end fashion accessories (costume jewelry and scarves) that you wear all the time.

• Add one or two new trendy pieces each season and wear them out.

• Invest in high quality everyday leather handbags and shoes.

Become friends with a great tailor who can assure that these key clothing pieces flatter your uniqueness.

Step 3: Find a great hair stylist who is skilled at working with your hair type. Then get a fuss-free hairstyle that flatters your face shape and maintain it. Consider adding some highlights and lowlights that will frame and brighten your face.

Step 4: Maintain, protect and nourish your skin daily. Use skin care products that are appropriate for your skin type (dry, normal, combination or oily). The five daily skin care musts are: 1) cleanse with a facial cleanser morning and evening, 2) use a toner after cleansing twice a way, 3) use a moisturizer after steps 1 and 2 in morning and evening, 4) protect your facial skin with a facial sunscreen of 25 SPF in the morning. Twice a week, exfoliate dead skin cells by using a facial mask or at-home microdermabrasion product. Don’t forget the delicate tissue around your eyes. It is recommended to begin the use of an ophthalmologist-tested eye moisturizer twice a day starting in the twenties. The time spent on your daily skin care routine is also a wonderful time to dedicate to yourself and regeneration. Also, don’t forget to drink plenty of water to hydrate it.

Step 5: Use make-up as an aid to emphasize your beautiful features, not hide them under layers and layers of coating. Less is more. Your basics include: a light application of a foundation color that matches and compliments your skin’s undertones, a light powder, blush, two neutral eye colors, a great mascara and a lipstick or lip gloss. Select colors that are complementary to your skin tone, hair color and eye color. Heavy smoky eye make-up or bright red lips may look great in a magazine. However, if they don’t reflect your uniqueness – leave them in the store!

Let your imagination and creativity take its power to truly reflect your uniqueness. So, when someone asks you: Does Your Current Personal Style Reflect Your Evolving Uniqueness? With confidence, you will say, “Absolutely!”

Original article by Marion Chamberlain, edited on 8/10/2009 by Bonnie Sundquist Rogers

Grand Opening of Image Studio in Palmyra, Virginia

Creating Your Professional Image from Head to Toe

Palmyra, Virginia – May 20, 2009 = Are you looking for an Image Makeover that will help you look 10-15 years younger and 2 or more sizes smaller?

Is your budget tight but you feel “stuck” in your current wardrobe and style?

Bonnie’s studio is equipped with state-of-the-art studio equipment and lighting to produce the best results possible for your Personal Image Makeover. You will see for yourself the transformation of your image before your very eyes! Bonnie’s years of experience and multiple certifications as an International Certified Image Consultant and Seminar Leader make her the absolute best choice when it comes to selecting a professional image consultant.

In honor of her Grand Opening, Bonnie is offering special discounts through June 30, 2009 including a 2 for 1 special on her “All New You” Business Woman’s Image Enhancement Workshop. This special workshop for professional women includes:

Color Analysis – Recommendations-for best colors for your wardrobe and make-up;
Style Analysis – Recommendations for styles to wear and what to look for when shopping; Personal Color Swatch Wallet— for easy reference when shopping; Hair, Accessories and Makeup Analysis – Recommendations of professional makeup, hairstyle, and accessories and makeup that say “expert”. (Women will receive makeover);
Wardrobe Analysis – Review of your personal wardrobe for proper color, style, and fit; and Wardrobe Strategy – Additions to your wardrobe – versatile and affordable suggestions.

During these challenging times you need to stand out from the crowd. By investing in creating your individualized professional stimulus package, you are telling others that you are a person that deserves to be seen, heard and remembered!!

Email Bonnie today to schedule your personal session. See for yourself how Bonnie can make you look at least 10 years younger and 2 or more sizes smaller!

Bonnie is an affiliate member of the Association of Image Consultant International. Her credentials as an International Certified Image Consultant and Certified Seminar Leader are among many of her achievements. She is also a qualified Image Consultant Trainer with The ImageMaker, Inc.

For more information contact Bonnie Sundquist Rogers at Bonnie@investinmyimage.com or visit her website www.investinmyimage.com for your 2 for 1 special offer coupon.

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