Anyone can become a personal shopper, however it can be a good idea to get some training in personal shopping if you are looking to become one. Training courses basically just try to help you by cutting out this long learning curve that could take years, by teaching you how to conduct such services and may mean that you start to earn money quicker.
I get asked this question all the time, but a good summary is a person who uses clothing and clothing stores to find perfect outfits and items for their clients, that look and feel great, and that the clients themselves may never have tried on their own, or even been aware of. Being a personal shopper also sometimes involves sourcing unique and unusual items for clients, in order for the client to stand out in the crowd - often a technique used for personal shoppers who work with celebrities and high profile clients.
A shopper also provides style advice for women and men who many not know what to wear day to day because they struggle putting together outfits. They may also help a person to find a special outfit for an event or occasion or may even just be there to help out time-poor, cash rich clients who want to look good but don't have the time or inclination. However there is room to develop a variety of services from these skills such as wardrobe de-cluttering, wardrobe consultations, image consultations, swish parties and style parties at home for example so it can be a really great career route.
What training is available?
If you are training in this area - a very personal service - I believe it is better to take a course that is a residential course if you are starting from scratch. This way you can ensure that you immerse yourself in you new career. Training courses can be anywhere from one to ten days and it is important to do all of your research and work out exactly what is right for you. Do your research, talk it over with a friend, family member or go to your local chamber of commerce to chat with a business advisor. Then make your decision on which training suits your needs and personality the best.
Self-employed or employed?
There are two types of personal shoppers - one who works for a store such Selfridges or someone who works independently and uses every brand and clothing label available to them to source the right things for their clients. Depending on the type of role that the personal shopper has, hours can vary. A Selfridges Personal Shopper would no doubt work during shop hours on an 8 hour shift with pre-booked appointments in-store - the personal shopping service is usually free for clients in a store like Selfridges, but they will ask the client for a budget to spend as they will not want to waste time with people who are only looking to spend a small amount of money as their job is to sell clothes, and they are on commission. The bigger the budget, the more bonus they get.
How do you get clients?
An independent personal shopper will get clients via word of mouth, reputation, website, advertising and other forms of promotion and will work to suit their clients. An independent should use whatever stores available to them, with no kickback or commission, as they are being paid for their time and expertise by the client - the client will not pay the personal shopper in this case, if they are not happy with the result.
How much does a personal shopper get paid?
If you are a Selfridges personal shopper you can look to earn approximately £20 - £25k per year plus commission, but this is a luxury department store and probably at the higher end of the pay scale. An independent personal shopper's worth though will vary and will entirely depend on how hard they work in getting clients and ensuring those clients are happy. A good personal shopper can earn anywhere from £25 per hour - £100 per hour though so the earning potential is far greater. A job as a personal shopper can be a great part-time job for those who want to earn a bit of extra cash or a full time career, but be prepared to work hard for it! My Style Companion is a company that provides a personal shopper for you to get the most from your wardrobe.
Nicola Cupples is a leading style expert and personal shopper in the UK, and founder of My Style Companion
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