Whether they think about it or not, everyone has an image.
“Image includes physical appearance and clothes, business and social etiquette and verbal and non-verbal communication skills,” said Kirsti Kirkness, owner of Kirkness Image Consulting.
“The image a person projects starts to form early from what they are exposed to and see and how people speak and react to them.”
Sometimes, a person’s image may not reflect who they really are because they have changed, or because they are not sure how to present themselves.
“I help my clients figure out who they are and create the image that fits their personal and professional goals,” said Kirkness, who works with individuals and business groups.
“There is an art and a science to it which considers clothing shape, colour, a person’s activities and their ideal image.
“Sometimes people are hesitant to change because it is easier to continue to do the same thing even if it is not what they want. Or, they find too many faults with themselves and think they can’t change, but it is amazing to see the difference in confidence when someone puts on a well-fitted outfit in a flattering colour. Then they can think about the other changes.”
Kirkness finds that one of her most popular services is personal shopping, where she finds the most suitable clothes (she can usually do this locally) and the client then tries them on at home or work and makes a selection.
“If you put something on and it doesn’t look good, it’s the clothing, not your body,” she said. “I find people often want new clothes for special or seasonal activities or when there are changes in their lives like a new job or change in weight.
“Others find, and I know I find, that when I take the time to take care of myself, I feel better and more capable of looking after others. We have to focus on what we need as well.”
Kirkness said that it can be a challenge to dress appropriately for work in a casual town with extremes of heat and cold, but adds people can find ways to look stylish, put together and right for their jobs, even on a budget.
The other parts of an attractive image, etiquette and communication also require thought and sometimes overcoming careless habits.
“Good etiquette basically shows respect for others and the situation. This is something parents can start to teach their children early and it includes how staff members treat customers and how employers treat employees, as well as social situations.
“Something I do notice too often is that younger people seem to have little respect for the older generation,” said Kirkness.
“I would like to do some workshops in schools and businesses on basic etiquette because it can make life so much more pleasant and easier for everyone to know what to do. It is making a conscious effort to think of others.”
She added that new technology also requires etiquette, from remembering that anything that goes online could end up where it was not intended, and that cell phones should be used in a way that does not disturb others.
“In communicating in person, keep in mind that what you say is one thing and the tone of your voice can change the meaning entirely. In e-mails and texts, there is no tone of voice so make sure that your message is clear. There are also non-verbal things like gestures and facial expressions that add to or detract from your image. The way you present yourself tells others the way you expect to be treated,” she said.
Kirkness brings her art background to her work; she was an art teacher for middle schools and later worked as the district coordinator for the one-to-one literacy program. She earned her certification from the Association of Image Consulting International in Vancouver and plans to go on to further levels of certification.
“It is my passion to use my skills to help others find their own unique images to help them meet their personal goals. It’s exciting and I’m finding that people are very interested in how changing their image can change their lives,” she said.
