What do you do?
I work with companies to review all aspects of their corporate image through my company Gravits-UK.com Ltd of which I am director. I am also self-employed as a personal image consultant and have a studio in Ayr where I see local clients.

What does the work involve?
In my corporate work the main drivers are brand values and appropriateness to the sector and target market. I evaluate the organisation and the individuals within that organisation and provide advice and mentoring on all levels. This can be in the form of a presentation, a more hands-on workshop, individual development or a mix as applicable.

Often I work with newly promoted managers who need to take their image up a level, or give talks about what is appropriate in respect of “business casual” for example.

In personal image work I have a wide variety of different ways to engage with people who are looking to boost their confidence through improving their image.

I also work with organisations aiming to facilitate a more positive self-image in people, such as women returners, single parents and the unemployed.

I teach Women’s Personal Image part-time at a local college and run similar classes at my own studio. I give presentations and talks to various groups, such as the Rural (Scottish WI), business groups and charities and work with local hotels running pamper events, exhibitions, promotional activities etc.

My biggest thrill though is working with individuals who want to review every aspect of their image and who are amazed by how big a difference a relatively small change can make. This affects not just how others perceive them but more importantly how they see themselves.

Image is a mix of using the colours that suit, body shape (not size!), and personality to best advantage. Knowing these things and understanding how they work for us, what to do and what to avoid, are basic ‘rules of life’ that most of us never get the chance to learn.

I love the variety of the work I do and I have a burning desire to get the message out to as many people as possible as I really believe that everybody can benefit from this self-knowledge.

What did you do before?
When I left school I briefly joined the Civil Service, working in what was euphemistically called the Dole Office. From there I trained as an accountant, then became involved in computerised systems and moved into selling them. I have spent over 15 years in sales and marketing management in computer software companies. I have also run my own hotel, helped set up an insurance agency and an engineering company. I have always had an interest in fashion and design and have studied this alongside my corporate career.

Who is your boss?
My husband, who reminds me that I need money to fund my shoe habit, which I am making no effort to kerb or grow out of. Plus each client, personal or corporate, and their needs appropriate to their lifestyle or market.

Do you have any special projects in hand?
Every project I undertake is different and every one is special as it can be life changing for someone. I have to bear that responsibility in mind every time I start to talk about image. On several occasions people have come back to me to talk about changes they made based on a casual comment about some aspect of image I made as a small part of a whole presentation. For example, one person changed his whole company uniform because I told someone that black suits, white shirts and red ties were aggressive – and he wasn’t even a client of mine at the time.

What do you like most about your job?
The variety, the people I meet and watching people grow in confidence.

What do you like least about your job?
Being on my feet all day. I so miss my corporate, sedentary lifestyle some days. But seriously, image consultants get a bad press sometimes, we are regarded as nefarious and interfering by some and as charlatans by others, so I can get a bit defensive on occasion.

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
Doing what I’m doing now – I love it. Maybe with a few employees but always working directly with clients myself.