Remember All the Good Work You Do

by Brenda Kinsel, AICI CIP

It’s so easy to fall into paralysis from time to time. We get afraid about whether we’ll find new clients or if someone will want to work again with us this season. And with the economic headlines battering us each day, even the strongest of us can feel nervous. Here’s what I suggest. Make a list of the benefits your clients receive from you. Or better yet, compile a list of quotes from notes, emails or verbal responses your clients have given you. Just last week I was working with a new client on a second appointment. When she greeted me at the door, she wasn’t thinking about the economy. She was thinking about how happy she was to be doing this wardrobing work with me. “You’re a life-saver!” she exclaimed. “I wish I had met you twenty years ago!” We worked in her closet for 4½ hours. At the end of our time together, I asked her if she wanted to get her calendar so we could make our next appointment. “Oh yes,” she said. “This is the best money I’ve ever spent.”

I share this with you to counter the fears you may be feeling, especially if you’re new to the business. Here’s the thing: we help people look and feel their best and that’s really important right now, more than ever! (To read more about why I feel this is the right profession at the right time, click here and read the January article from the AICI Connections newsletter.) We’re producing results. We’re helping people make the most from their wardrobes. We help them save money by educating them about their style and what suits their bodies and matches their lifestyle. With one appointment with us, they will learn how to avoid shopping mistakes. It takes only one or two clothing mistakes to have easily paid for our fees.

If somebody is shopping less this year, fine. We can help them maximize what they already have. We can help them look fabulous for spring using their own clothing because we understand the trends. We know what’s in the stores.

So if you get up one morning feeling nervous, pull out that list of benefits that you give your clients and remind yourself of the wonderful service you provide. When I hear the reports of how this is the worst financial period since 1997, I have to laugh. I don’t remember 1997 being a bad year. Whatever happened, I guess I got through it. We all did. We’ll get through this too.

Brenda Kinsel, AICI CIP, is a 25-year veteran of the image industry. A national speaker and author of five popular books on fashion and style, she has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Canada AM, and HGTV as well as numerous radio and newspaper sources globally. A past AICI VP of Marketing on the international board, she has been honored with AICI’s prestigious IMMIE Award. She’s passionate about helping image professionals have more fun and make more money in their careers.