Fashion Blogs

Nancy Goldblatt, "The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore," Color 1 Associate

Have you ever thought about becoming a Personal Image Consultant?

I did, but I had to overcome my own distorted beliefs before I could do it.

Here is my  story and how I overcame what I call my gremlins (those negative beliefs we have that prevent us from following our dream.)  Perhaps my story will inspire you to talk back to the gremlins that are preventing you from following your dream.

In case that dream involves Image Consulting, I have information at the end of this article about how you can get training to become an Image Consultant.

(I have used the words coaching and consulting interchangeably)–

I  had previous careers as a teacher and a photographer and I continue to work as a social worker. My passion has always been to help people make the most of their strengths and overcome their challenges.

My challenge, since I was a child, was feeling self-conscious about my appearance.  I believe this was related to my mother being very critical of herself and me, her oldest daughter. Maybe some of you can relate to this.

The way I dealt with my challenge, was to seek information in self-help books. I devoured psychology books on self esteem and books on improving how I looked.  In the mid-1980′s I  thought I found a “pot of gold,” when I learned wearing the right colors could make me appear more attractive and make it easier to shop.  I read about various color analysis systems, but most seemed  difficult for me to understand and the trainings were expensive and too far away from me.

The more I read about appearance and its affect on self esteem, the more I thought about becoming an Image Consultant. But a little voice inside kept repeating,” You can’t be an Image Consultant, because  you are not tall, or thin and you don’t look like a model.”

The first time I read “Color Wonderful,”by Joanna Nicholson, I did not fully understand what an accurate, system “Color 1,” was. When I took “Color Wonderful,” out of the library a second time, I read the book more thoroughly and the “Color 1 ” approach began making sense to me.  I discovered “Color 1″ was located only one hour away from me and a training was scheduled in a few weeks.

In 1990,  I had been working  with  patients for 9 years at a psychiatric half-way house. Just as I was starting to feel “burnt out,” I got laid off.  While I was trying to determine how I could use my skills in a new career, I joined a “Master-Mind Group.”

I had been telling the Master-Mind group I did not want to “just sell makeup,” or “just be a personal shopper.” I wanted to do it all!  I wanted to use all my skills, as a teacher, photographer and social worker to become a “holistic image consultant” and help my clients to learn to love how they looked, as well as save them time and money.

But those little gremlins in my head kept saying to me, “Who do you think you are! You are  short, plump and too old to become an image consultant.  How can you help others to love the way they look, when you don’t love the way you look.”   I felt defeated by my inner gremlins and decided I would not be signing up for the “Color 1″training.

Fortunately, the “Master-Mind group”was ready to battle my gremlins. They reminded me of what I had been telling them.  They were all in agreement when they confronted me.  ”The Color 1″ training sounds exactly like what you have been telling us you want to do, and you have the time and money to do it now.  If you don’t do it now, when will you do it.”   My gremlins were outnumbered and the rest is history.

Nancy doing makeovers at On Purpose Networking for Women 12.2010

It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Not only have I learned how to make the most of my own appearance, but I have lost my feeling of being so self- conscious and I feel confident wherever I go.  I have been able to say goodbye to the panic of those “nothing to wear moments,” and  I have helped hundreds of women over the last 20 years to do the same.  I am never bored, because each woman I work with has different challenges.  I have continued to learn and I am doing more using the internet

How do I work with clients now?  The first thing I do is try to understand a clients fashion personality and their figure or size challenges.   I also take into consideration budget, lifestyle and age.  As I previously said, I do not throw out everything in a persons closet.

You do not have to be young, tall and thin to look good.  Looking  good is about looking visually balanced. This is done by understanding how to combine your best color clarities, choosing flattering styles of clothing for your shape and using accessories in a way that makes your head and body look balanced.   

“Color 1,” has gone through some changes in the last thirty years. Joanna Nicholson, the founder, is now a consultant to the company and Leslie Stott, “The Color Lady,” recently bought the company.   There are Associates all over the U.S. and some Associates are  even in Japan.  There will be a 3 day  training starting April 30th, 2011 in Utah.  I plan to go to this training for a “refresher,” and I am looking forward to  reconnecting with my “Color 1,” sisters.

The cost of the intensive 3 day training is $1895.00.  And the cost of 6 day training is $3895.  This is a fantastic bargain price compared to what other companies are charging.   It includes color charting supplies which will enable you to earn back  the cost of your training.  You will also be assigned a mentor when you complete your training .

You will learn how to do basic “Color 1,” color analysis and you will learn about line and design, how to use color charts to choose the right clothing and makeup colors as well as correct application of makeup. A marketing specialist will be offering  a presentation on how to market yourself. ( I believe “Color 1,” has the most accurate color system available.)

‘Color 1,” has its own custom line of “color correct,” makeup.  Its not a multi-level company, so you do not have to recruit other people.  After the training you will still have the support of “Color 1.”

A pre-requisite to the training is to get your colors done by a Color 1 Associate and fill out an application indicating why you are interested and include two character references. You can use a credit card to charge your training.   If you are already doing work as an image consult, I believe the tuition is tax deductible. This bargain price will be going up the next time the training is offered.

To  get more information about”Color 1″, training, contact Leslie Stott, CEO of “Color 1″  at: 1-800-523-8406 or website (which is still under construction)

www.thecolorlady.com/Color1/Construction.html

Don’t forget to tell Leslie you heard about the “Color 1″ training from”The Wardrobe Wizard.” Also, ask Leslie about the  6 day training.

Want more information about the Color 1 approach?

 Purchase Joanna Nicholson’s most recent books, “Dressing Smart for Women,” and “Dressing Smart for Men,”  from Leslie Stott, the color lady.

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Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,”and Color 1 Associate, specializes in working with mid-life women whose size or shape has changed and who have lots of clothes and nothing to wear.  She also works with younger women, as well as men.  Contact her at nrgoldblatt@gmail.com or 410-235-5325