‘THE MOST DIFFICULT BIT IS PERSUADING PEOPLE THAT IT'S NOT JUST FOR THE RICH AND FAMOUS'
Personal
WORK
KAREN OLIVER is our answer to Trinny and Susannah — minus the sarcasm. Allan Radcliffe meets the image consultant who helps clients navigate the retail jungle.
lothes shopping. l-‘or those who like that sort
of thing. squee/ing through the angry throng
on a Saturday afternoon. l‘r'antieally serabhling for that elusiye bargain is what they like. Yet. lot the sztl‘tot'ittlly' challenged. the [lotion ol‘ browsing for threads the length and breadth ol‘ the high street holds the same irrational fear as the deep end of the swimming pool to a non-swimmer.
Happily. for anyone too terrified. too busy or loo damned la/y to braye the retail jungle. the phenomenon of 'personal shopping' w hereby someone with the knowledge and espertise to smarten up your pathetie wardrobe for a small lee has taken off exponentially in reeent years. Seotland now has its own (much more sympathetie) answer to those small-screen elothing Syengalis. 'l'rinny and Stisannah. A graduate of the London ('ollege of Fashion. Karen ()liyer garnered keen interest for her sassy Sm (lm/ I/Ir' ('ity—style designs. her degree show leading to work esperienee with the legendary Viy'ienne \‘y'estwood as well as Toronto hased designer Irish liwanika. Yet. the lite ol a designer pr'oy‘ed less than satislaetory.
‘liyer sinee I was at \L‘II()()I liy'e heen obsesseil \\ illt putting together outfits for other people. whether that be my l‘r'iends. my brother or my rntrrnf says ()liyer. ':\nd when l was at eollege the most exerting part of a fashion show wasn’t seeing my designs eoming down the eatw‘alk. it was hooking the photographer.
organising the publicity. and my real passion was for
styling.‘ liay'ing grown tired of London. she trekked hack to her natiy'e Kilmarnoek and spent time working for Top Shop as well as enjoying a spell as a
buyer for the Original Shoe Company. before taking the hold deeision to go it alone as a fashion eonsultant and personal shopper.
llaying initially benefited from a Business (iateway grant and a small grant from the l’rinees' 'l'rust. ()liyer's yenture reeeiyed a huge boost when she was featured as one of a number ol’ lemale entrepreneurs in a doeunientary series on the l)iseo\ery Network ealled [iii/it's ll'lrri /.(IIIII('/l. In a few short months. ()liy er who heliey‘es whiileheartedly that ‘you can htry style has built a strong client list. Her eurrent seryiees inelude an initial w ardrohe eonsultalion at £75. a ‘huddy shopper“ adyisory sery iee at L'l7 per hour and personal shopping. for which she ehar'ges Btl‘é on top of" the eost of goods. She estimates her (mostly female) elients are split almost eyenly hetween people who understand fashion but don‘t haye time to shop and ordinary people who need a eonlidenee boost.
"the most dill'ieult part of the job is persuading lteoltle that it’s not a ser'\ iee for the rieh and famous.’ she says. ‘ln some ways. going to an image eonsrrltant is like a trip to the hairdressers. heeause the hairdresser is using their e\per‘ienee and expertise to make you look good. 'lilte only dil‘l‘er'enee is that you don't neeessarily need to hay e your wardrobe ehanged eyery \l\ \\ eelss.‘
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Tecmoloqy
Getting the right equipment in the office is half the battle. The other half is having the right people to use it effectively.
I Hardware Choosing and installing the right IT for yOur business lets you operate much more efficrently and productively. But finding your way through the huge choice can seem challenging. The decrsrons about which hardware to choose and which supplier to go for will be crucial.
I Software The most commonly used ousmess software IS the standard office application which a:,rtomates many core business tasks. These applications are usually sold together in business software Suites which most firms purchase as a matter of course.
I Connecting You'll need to decide on your :riternet connection requirements. Broadband is increasmgly taking over from dial- up. and access to broadband is extending. Broadband can help your business save (and make) money. give you a competitive edge. make yeti more efficient and improve Customer loyalty.
I Website Over the past few years it has become expected that many busrnesst-‘zs Will have a website. there are many different routes to creating a web presence and what yOu choose will depend on the nature of yOur business and how you plan to use y0ur site. You may need a simple website that provrdes contact details and basic information about yOur services or you may be planning to sell online or provide information services via your website. in which case your reduirements will be more complex.
Business Gateway
Business Gateway offer help and advice to anyone who wants to start their own business. A Business Gateway Grant of £1000 is available to those aged between 18 and 30.
See www.bgateway.com/grand. Thinking About Business is a two hour seminar about starting a company, held in Glasgow on Wed 26 Oct. For details telephone 0141 353 0600.
.«o oer :i Nov 2005» THE LIST 103