Judith’s India Connection
First Impression Consulting Pvt. Ltd. headed by Rakesh Agarwal and Suman Agarwal in Mumbai (Bombay), India, has aligned with the Judith Rasband Institute of Image Management, for the purpose of introducing image consulting education and services throughout India.
In 2009 Agarwal investigated image consulting trainers throughout America, Canada, Australia, and England. Ultimately, he selected Rasband’s Institute as having the finest image education curriculum and facility available worldwide. After considerable correspondence with Rasband, Agarwal traveled to Utah in December 2009. He and the lovely Suman, arrived bearing gifts, as is the custom, for the purpose of meeting Rasband and to see for himself if she was all he had supposed. He wasn’t disappointed.
At the conclusion of three days of presentation and discussion at Conselle’s Learning Center, the two signed agreements granting Agarwal the use of Conselle’s extensive curriculum materials—Rasband’s intellectual property. Their agreement includes ongoing advisement from Rasband and joint cooperation regarding curriculum transition and development as well as image-related events to take place in India. Agarwal proposes that Rasband travel to India at least twice a year for these events.
Agarwal says, “We are very happy to have the best curriculum from one so experienced as Judith Rasband. Image management is a multi- disciplinary field with physical, psychological, social, and artistic aspects involved. She is the expert, energetic, and an excellent example of a successful entrepreneur. She brings humor and perspective to everyday image and wardrobe challenges. As an image management specialist, she is an agent of change with practical and immediately applicable techniques and strategies for taking charge of appearance. Her ability to zero in on the immediate needs of individuals results in outstanding levels of personal development and goal achievement.”
Agarwal has also facilitated a non-profit professional body, the Image Consultant’s Society International, which will educate, facilitate, integrate, and regulate the industry in the Indian Subcontinent and the Middle East. Conselle will function as the agent of certification for ICSI members. Rasband has been appointed as Chairman of the Advisory Board, selecting Board members Susan Bigsby from Florida, Deborah King from Texas, Diana Jennings from California, Lora Beth Brown from Utah, and Deborah Gray and John Kerr from England. Other Board members include eminent business and philanthropic professionals from India.
According to Agarwal, “High quality image consulting is all about helping people to create and enhance their self-presentation for personal or professional roles. It’s all about educating people to create a positive first and lasting impression in public and personal places, empowering them to function at a higher level of confidence, capability, credibility, and productivity; enabling them to live happier, more meaningful and successful lives. As communication specialists and stylists, they advise regarding dress, grooming, and body language, including manners and etiquette.”
“Image consultants offer the kind of advice that can help clients land a job, keep a job, secure a promotion, find a mate, get elected, or just feel better about themselves. Our client list includes job seekers, corporate executives, politicians, media personalities and celebrities—but also parents in the home, teachers, and teens,” says Agarwal. “Our business program includes three months of learning followed by another three months mentorship providing a complete business incubation program and set-up support.”
He adds, “With India having the youngest population in the world and statistics indicating the average age to be 29 by 2020, it is in the national interest that the field of image consultants multiplies. India is the second fastest growing economy in the world and simultaneously hosts the youngest population globally. With this huge youth population competing fiercely in global markets, the demand for image consultants is set to grow exponentially. Image consulting is a multi-billion dollar industry globally and is now poised to grow in India to similar levels with the help of Judith Rasband and Conselle