I M AGE M AT T ER S - R H OD A JOH NSON
IMAGE MATTERS
Image matters because 80% of what we communicate about ourselves is done non-verbally. Developing a professional personal brand is vital to attracting new opportunities and showing up as the best version of yourself.
In many other industries there is no image standard. This freedom has resulted in professionals blurring the lines by wearing weekend wear, glamorous makeup, no makeup, nightclub attire, and casual clothes suited for being at home. These examples
Over 30 years ago, I started my Image Consulting business in Los Angeles to style celebrities, models, politicians and corporate executives. As a Hollywood Trained Image Consultant I witnessed how actors and actresses delivered a much better quality of work that was believable when they were in the makeup and wardrobe of their character. I have also witnessed this with business professionals. In the 80’s and 90’s corporate executives were guided into navy suits with white collared shirts or blouses accented with a conservative tie or pearls. Grooming was clean shaven with a short gelled look for men or a bob hairstyle with a red lip for women. It was very “cookie cutter” This provided a business uniform that is still the protocol in some industries.
6 ENTREPRENEUR PLATFORM MAGAZINE
all exude the same non-verbal message; that the wearer is not in the mindset of professionalism. This compromises their quality of work as well as their ability to be promoted. With the surge of e-commerce many entrepreneurs work from home in their pajamas. Businesses
