The fourth interview in a series of ten - meeting Bristol people who 'Do What They Love!'
Karen Lowe - Image Consultant, Personal Stylist
There’s no escaping the fact that what we wear can say a lot
about us. And after meeting and interviewing the lovely Karen Lowe, it certainly
made me think more about the power of clothes, not just in a sense of following
fashion, but the role they can play in boosting confidence and in turn
enabling other changes. ;-)
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| Karen Lowe telling me how she got started - with a Do What You Love cushion ©Lydia Samuel Photography |
Name: Karen Lowe
Age: 38
Business: Karen
Lowe - Image Consultant, Personal
Stylist.
Location:
Redland, Bristol
Website:
www.karenl.co.uk
What do you do?
I help women to look and feel their very best by showing
them how to dress to flatter their body shape so that they always feel good
about themselves. Often during this process my clients rediscover who they are
which in turn gives them a massive confidence boost.
What do you love
about it?
In my experience a lot of women aren't happy with the way
they look, through weight gain/loss, a traumatic experience or simply feel
stuck in a rut and don't know how to get out of it. This in turn can have a very negative effect
on their overall confidence and in some cases will stop them from doing things
they would really like to do.
By showing
them what styles and shapes suit them best, and how to use accessories to add a
uniqueness to their look, when they see
themselves in the mirror, they start to like, appreciate and respect the person
looking back.
The effect this can have
on the rest of their lives can be life changing. When you are confident in
yourself, people react to you differently and you feel like you can achieve
anything. It's witnessing this change and knowing that I'm partly responsible
for it that gives me the most pleasure.
It's not rocket science but I truly believe in the power that clothes
have to transform both physically and emotionally!
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| "Once you realise you can achieve anything you put your mind to, it becomes a bit addictive!" ©Lydia Samuel Photography |
How did you get
there?
After years of working in a job that didn't fulfil or
stimulate me mentally, I was lucky enough (didn't feel like that at the time
but it was the best thing that ever happened to me) to be made redundant. I
used it as an opportunity to take time out and think about what I really wanted
to do.
I studied textile design at
University and initially thought about going back into that – but after doing a
couple of short courses in textile design which I did really enjoy, I realised
it was only ever going to remain a hobby rather than a new career. I needed to
think of something else.
I've always wanted a job that was going to make a difference
to peoples lives and that I was also passionate about. I have always loved
clothes and how they make me feel and over the years have often been asked for
fashion advice I was obsessed with the
TV make over shows - Trinny and Susanna, Gok Wan and Ten Years Younger, and in
a flash of inspiration whilst sitting on our sofa thinking about life! it came
to me – Image Consultancy.
I retrained last year and can honestly say it's the
best thing I've ever done.
How long have you
been running your business for?
Just over a year – I retrained last September after moving
to Bristol in April from London.
What has been the
biggest challenge you’ve faced so far becoming an Image Consultant?
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| ©Lydia Samuel Photography |
It was taking that first step. Initially I had to overcome those negative
thoughts that I couldn’t do it. Over the
years I've missed out on many great opportunities because of fear of failure
but this was one thing I was really passionate about and wanted to succeed at
and I realised that the only person stopping me, was me! So I thought – ok what
have I got to lose? It took me a while to retrain my thought processes but once
you realise you can achieve anything you put your mind to, it becomes a bit
addictive!
So now I'm busy establishing myself and my business and
building up my client base which is going really well. Moving to Bristol from London - I didn’t know
anyone, so I’ve had to overcome my fear of networking (walking into a room
where you don't know anyone and having to introduce yourself took some getting
used to!) - but now I really love it! I've found the people in Bristol
extremely supportive and that has been a huge part in growing my business – but
I’m still learning. It never stops!
What’s been the
highlight so far in owning and running your own business?
Well – all of it! It’s all been brilliant! I love seeing the
women I've helped grow in confidence but
at the moment, if I was to think of one thing – it's the project I’m
currently involved in which is so unique in it's offering. I’m working with an
amazing life coach, nutritionist and personal trainer and we’ve developed a six
week self-development programme for women called ‘Inside Out’.
The programme
focuses on all aspects of what wellness is and has been designed to help women
remove negative thought processes and achieve anything they want in life i.e.
work/life balance, better relationships, weight loss etc.
As far as we know nothing else exists like
this in Bristol and I'm so excited for our launch event on the 27th
September at The Pavillion. We've all
worked so hard for it, it's going to be an amazing evening! I feel extremely
grateful to be doing something I really love.
What’s the best piece
of advice you’ve been given?
Believe in yourself and do it, don't ever let fear stop you!
What have you learnt
about yourself as a result of becoming self-employed?
That I’m actually a bit shyer than I thought I was but also
that a I’m a lot stronger too. I’ve
discovered that if I put my mind to something – I really can achieve it! I wish
I’d known that when I was younger!
I'm also thankful that I now have the skills and knowledge
to be able to help those less fortunate than myself. I’ve always wanted to volunteer for a charity
but before becoming an Image Consultant – didn’t know what I could ‘give’ that
would add value.
Since moving to Bristol
I've been volunteering with my local St.Peter’s hospice shop dressing their
window displays and helping customers with any clothing advice they might need
which is so much fun. I was also
involved with their 6 week social media trial in the Gloucester Road branch,
where using the current trends as inspiration I dressed their mannequins and
then blogged about them to see if it would boost their sales – which it did!
Looking good isn't just about spending loads of money, and
buying from charity shops is a great way of finding unique items and supporting
a really worthwhile cause at the same time. I’ve found some amazing things
rummaging around charity shops and I never leave empty handed!
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| Karen showing me how using scarfs can completely change and outfit. Laughing as discovered I'm a cross between a Pear and an Apple shape - so that makes me a Pearple. ©Lydia Samuel Photography |
Can you tell me about
any success stories with a client?
Yes – one lady in particular sticks in my mind. She now has three children but before having
a family she used to really enjoy taking care of herself and took pride in the
way she looked. After having children
she put on weight and a change in lifestyle meant that she no longer had the
time she used to, to spend on herself.
As a result her confidence nose dived, and she started to feel bland and
invisible. She'd reached a point where
she knew she had to do something about it and so asked me for help. I started
off with a wardrobe consultation, assessing her wardrobe, clearing out the
items that didn't do anything for her and then with the pieces that did, mixed
and matched new outfits in a way that she would never have thought of doing.
I’m keen to help people use what they already have and make slight alterations
rather than saying we must go shopping!
Often, women have loads of great clothes in their wardrobe but lack the
confidence in knowing how to wear and style them. Accessories are a big part of what I do and
demonstrating how a necklace or scarf can transform an outfit is a real eye
opener!
So, after reviewing my clients wardrobe and making some
changes and suggestions, I took her shopping to fill those gaps that would
enhance what she already owned rather than replace it.
A few weeks later she was like a new woman! I
know it sounds amazing to say but it had such an impact – I could truly see
what a difference it had made to her, she was glowing and re-energized. She
told me she was much happier and as a result had loads more patience and
energy, which in turn meant her husband and kids were happier too. I’ve
recently heard that she has got a new job and that it’s been down to that fact
she’d felt confident enough to apply for it in the first place! Its so great to
have helped her in this way.
After all what’s more important than liking
yourself?
If others want to do
this I’d say...
Always believe that what you are doing is important. Accept
who you are and be the best you can be.
What’s next?
Well as I mentioned – the ‘Inside Out’ programme which I’m
very excited about – and I’d also like to do more work supporting charities,
especially – Penny Brohn Cancer Care.
And of course, helping more and more women learn to love how they look.
Karen’s top tips are:
- Focus on the parts of your body you like;
Don't dress to hide the bits you don't – all you'll do is accentuate them and draw attention to the area you're trying to hide. - Use accessories to update your wardrobe and keep your look modern;You don’t need lots of money to do this – a belt of scarf can completely change an outfit
- Celebrate who you are and embrace your uniquenss!
For more information on the Inside Out programme visit
http://www.holsamlifecoaching.com/inside-out.html
Or to book a one to
one to see how Karen can help you – visit her website:
www.karenl.co.uk or
call 0771 875 0019.
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| Karen and I with 'Do What You Love' limited edition bags. The perfect accessory!! ;-) ©Lydia Samuel Photography |
After printing this message on my bags I thought - ooh I'd love to find ten local Bristol business people who do what they love, interview them about what they do, why they love it and how they've got there and also 'model' one of my bags / cushions.
I really wanted to work with a local photographer - so approached Lydia Samuel via Outset to see if she would be interested in collaborating with me. She was! Perfect!
So a call-out was created, posted on facebook and twitter and people started applying! Over thirty people applied, and it was really difficult to choose ten. I spent my time going through each application and selected the ten as I felt their passion really shone through.
Everyone who applied will be featured though in some way as I think it's important to celebrate everyone who is doing something they love!
These interviews and photographs are the results.
I hope you enjoy reading this series of interviews, and that it will inspire you in some way to pursue your dreams and ‘Do what you Love!’ (that is if you aren’t doing that already! - if you are - do let me know by leaving a comment about what you do and why you love it!).
Want your own 'Do What You Love' bag and cushion?
They are currently on sale at the Pop-up Shop FABRIC in The Galleries, Bristol until the end of October, or email me directly bagsofloveforbristol@gmail.com. And why not come and say hello on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bags-of-Love-for-Bristol/444261982265482
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