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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: KAREN BRUNGER, AICI CIP

BY SONIA DUBEY DEWAN, AICI CIP

She believes in possibilities! She is passionate about people stepping into their full personal power, and being, doing and having all they desire. For her, transformation is about liberating ourselves from our own blocks so that we can create a life of love, joy, peace and abundance.

An award-winning certified image professional, an author, international speaker, and media guest expert, Karen Brunger, AICI CIP is the founder and president of International Image Institute. The past president of AICI Global and Canada chapter, Karen has also served as VP Education of AICI Global and organized core competencies into Appearance, Behavior, and Communication, hence coined the phrase, the “A-B-Cs of image”

In this member spotlight, I had the honor to interview Karen and learn about her fun and exciting journey of 34 years in the image consulting industry. I’m proud to share her story and valuable contributions to the industry with you. Read along.

Q. How did you get started in image consulting?

A. The short story - by saying ‘yes’! I told everyone I was going to be a color consultant and had my first month booked solid before I did my training. It grew on word-of-mouth. When my color clients asked me for wardrobe analysis and personal shopping, I said, “Yes.” Then, I was asked to do style analysis. I said ‘yes’ and figured it out. I was asked to teach Style and Wardrobe, and even though I was terrified, I said ‘yes’. Because I was teaching, I was asked to teach Presentation Skills at a college. I said ‘yes’. Then my students asked me to teach Etiquette. I said ‘no', but eventually capitulated. I always felt like I was attached to a rocket being propelled forward.

Q. What do you do in your business?

A. I provide transformation training and tools to image consultants, stylists, and life coaches. The ‘holistic’ training is through a variety of platforms, online and in-person. The tools include color analysis tools, style tools, consultant tools for custombranding, and books.

Q. What is image consulting like in Canada today? As it all started in North America, how do you think the industry has evolved?

A. Canada had the first AICI chapter outside the U.S., and 2019 was our 25th anniversary. Image consulting seems to have proven itself as an industry, especially as it provides the flexibility of fashion, communication, and personal development either in combination or as stand-alone services. Our industry has become more global and more holistic.

Q. You have created one of the most extensive ranges of image consulting resources and tools in the industry. What motivated you?

A. I was motivated because people asked me to teach them, and they also needed the tools. I love to create things, and I feel blessed that people use them, so I get to continue!

Q. You have served many leadership positions in AICI. Tell us about them, and what made you get involved in AICI leadership in the first place?

A. I am a founding member of our AICI Canada Chapter and was excited to be part of a group with similar challenges and goals. I served as president, and then I was invited on to the International Board as VP Education, where I stayed for four years. That led to multiple terms on the Nominations Committee, Awards Committee, CIM committee, CIP Examination committee and CEU committee, the latter of which I was the chair of for over a decade. I also spent another four years on the international board in my role as President. Now I’m back on the Canada Chapter board. I got involved for many reasons.

I got involved in the first place because it felt good to step up and be of service when it was required, and I valued being able to make a difference in my industry. What made it even more worthwhile were the fun, close connections, life-long relationships, leadership training, and personal growth that resulted.

Q. You’re one of the only 100 Certified Image Professionals (CIP) in the world. Why did you seek your CIP certification?

A. I can’t remember! I think I was told to.

Q. We wrapped up the AICI Global Conference at Chicago on April 2019. Tell us about your favorite moments from the conference?

A. My favorite moments are always the gala – not only for the dancing, but it’s a time where we can all relax and have fun together.

Q. The January Issue is all about the 30th anniversary of AICI. Tell us about your fondest memory?

A. I have so many! Leading the conga line at the Las Vegas gala is one. Another is when my exhibit booth had a crowd of people wanting to buy, and I couldn’t keep up. I had never met Delby Bragais before, but she came into my booth and started helping! A third highlight was the ‘pajama party’ strategic planning meeting in Elaine Stoltz’s house, where the sense of bonding and accomplishment was unforgettable.

And that’s the story of one of the most reputed image consultants in the world with presence in more than 80 countries. Her professional journey can be summed up with her favorite lines from a poem by Guillaume Apollinaire.

“There is a longer version by Christopher Logue, but this one is short and sweet,” she says.

Q. What’s your best business advice for other image consultants for the future?

A. My best business advice is to work with a coach – even multiple coaches. I suggest choosing a coach that has demonstrated they can get you the results you want. I have found it’s especially important when I hit a plateau; a coach is able to boost me to the next level!

Q. What do you like to do for fun?

A. I’m a Third Degree Black Belt! I usually do about six hours of karate a week. I also like to entertain and every year do a luau, a murder mystery dinner party, and a Holiday party. My very favorite thing to do is to have fun with my family and friends.

"COME TO THE EDGE," HE SAID.

THEY SAID, "WE ARE AFRAID."

COME TO THE EDGE," HE SAID.

THEY CAME.

HE PUSHED THEM... AND THEY FLEW.”

SONIA DUBEY DEWAN, AICI CIP, is an Entrepreneur, Image Consultant, a Keynote Speaker, and the first Internationally Certified Image Professional (CIP) in India chapter by Association of Image Consultants International (AICI), USA.

She is the Founder and Managing Partner of the Indian School of Image Management (indianschoolofimage.com), providing education and training solutions to aspiring Image Consultants in India.

The President of AICI India Chapter is dubbed as a “Fairy Godmother of Transformation” by a leading news publication. Sonia is passionate about sharing her views on Image Management, Personal Branding, Positive Body Image, Entrepreneurship, and Women Empowerment.

She quotes, “You are your most valuable asset, start investing in it today.”

I T' S TI M E TO G ET AN INVITATION TO BECOME AN AICI CEU PROVIDER

AICI CERTIFIED Have you ever considered becoming an AICI CEU Provider? Do you even know what a CEU Provider is? An AICI CEU Provider designs, develops, and delivers learning experiences. Attendees who meet the course requirements can earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs). If you have ever attended a course by one of the AICI CEU Providers, you will know that you are guaranteed a good learning experience. Every course, approved for AICI CEUs has been through a rigorous review process and is only approved if it meets the quality standards required by AICI.

If you are interested in joining the ranks of our esteemed CEU Providers, you will need to meet an initial standard. If you are planning to teach an image-related course, you must be AICI certified with your CIM or CIP. If you have achieved your CIC, that is an excellent incentive to apply for the next level of AICI certification; your CIP.

Developing a course to be approved for AICI CEUs requires a series of steps:

1. Determine that there is a need for your training

2. Identify the results (learning outcomes) you want to achieve

3. Design the training

4. Pilot the training

5. Apply to the CEU Administrator to have the course approved for AICI CEUs

6. Submit an:

a. Application Form

b. Training Plan

c. Participant Training Evaluation template

d. Samples of slides and participant materials

e. Marketing Materials Throughout this process, the AICI CEU Administrator is available to answer your questions. In addition, the CEU Chair, who heads up the CEU Committee, can assist too.

For further information, please contact: Liz Weinstein, Ph.D. AICI CEU Administrator at 515-278-9053 or llizzer@msn.com.