Image consultant Natalie Jobity is on fire. After many years as a marketing research executive, she decided to step out of her comfort zone and become her own boss, and she did it with a passion. For the past 3.5 years, she has run her business, Elan Image Management, from the comfort of her home in Columbia, MD, and is loving every minute of it. She is now making inroads and more with her successful image consulting business all throughout the Washington region and beyond. How exactly did she get to where she is today? I sat down with Natalie to find out just what makes her tick, and why she loves making people feel good about themselves.
History of Elan Image Management: When she left the marketing research industry, she knew she wanted to be in a creative field, something along the lines of interior design and real estate staging. Then image consulting came along and it just hit a nerve for her. "I went all out and researched how I could make a positive impact in the image consulting field. I searched for schools offering classes to help me understand the industry. I looked for industry-certified programs and then took the exams and passed. I slowly started signing up clients in 2006 when I officially launched part time, working during the evenings and weekends. Then in 2007 went at it full time and I haven't looked back. Image consulting fits all of my skill sets and passions, and it comes so naturally for me now. This business has changed my life."
What she does: She provides one-on-one image coaching, personal shopping services, closet audits/makeovers, frequent workshops on how to look and feel your best, and styling services at photo shoots. She is also gearing up to do more speaking engagements to groups around the community: "I want to share my passion and what I know and love with everyone I can." She primarily focuses on women's wardrobe assessments, but also services men's wardrobe needs as well.
Her most memorable moments as a home-based business owner: Natalie has experiened wonderful things with Elan that she never thought she would, and is looking forward to many more times to come. "Wow, there are so many memorable moments I can think of, like pulling off a number of workshops like Tweak Your (she)ic and my Wardrobe Bootcamp, and seeing how happy and comfortable the attendees were. I also enjoyed doing the News Channel 8 piece a couple of months ago on how to feel and look your best. But in general what stands out for me the most are my client 'ah-ha' moments, when clients 'get it' and see the vision for their transformation. It is priceless. They know that positive things are happening to them, that their transformation is beginning. One client in particular came to a one-on-one consultation hating the color pink, in fact she never wore or even considered pink before. But after we delved into the color-analysis portion of the consultation and brought out the color pink her face just lit up and she was ecstatic! It ended up being her power color. From that point on she focused her wardrobe on everything pink! She looked absolutely lovely."
Goals for her clientele: Her services are custom-tailored for each client, and knows that her clients have their own personal reasons for wanting to change their image. "There are so many reasons why people want an image consultant, and I try my best to understand the needs of each client and transform their lives in the way they want. I really want to make sure my clients get value, feel good about what they learn in how they can achieve their goals inside and out. I want to get to the inner core of their essence as a woman or man."
Her advice for other home-based business owners: She is optimistic about the direction of her business, and other home-based and small businesses, even in the down economy. "One way to get through the rough times is to really, really believe in yourself and that what you are doing has value for yourself and others. Be confident in yourself too, even when things are dire. If you keep doing the same thing and it is not working, come up with plan B. Change course.Keep innovating and transforming until you find something that does work for your business. Be resourceful and look at your business in a realistic and practical point of view. Be passionate about what you do. Don't follow the familiar path or do what everyone else is doing. It's been a challenge for me in this economy just as anyone else, but I make sure I keep building on my dreams and aspirations for my business, and see where they take me."
Upcoming program: Her new program New Year, New Gear Image Teleseminar-based Coaching Program has recently launched, and is a long-term, affordable program designed to provide private image coaching advice, group-based activities and other great tips all from the comfort of your home. In the last week of February, Natalie is hosting a complimentary call-in for the new program so you can get a taste of what the program offers. Please go to her website for more details and feel free to sign up for her newsletter for updates on the program and more. She is very excited about New Year, New Gear and hopes to reach a nationwide audience. "This program is something totally new for me, and I hope to spread my message, gifts and skills to many people around the country. My vision is to transform lives and be a change agent for women and men when it comes to their image. The sky's the limit!"
For more information:
Elan Image Management
Women's Image and Wardrobe Examiner column
Natalie provides great tips on looking your best
(featured on News Channel 8, December 10, 2009)
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