Budding businesswomen Jeunesse Ali, left, and
Amy Inglefield share their expertise on image
consultancy and concierge services.
PHOTO: KARLA RAMOO

Tick! Tock! The clock on the wall is reminding you have to go shopping for groceries or rush to the nearest mall for an outfit for a special function. As the hours close in, you realise you haven’t finished preparing dinner. You’re so overwhelmed and you utter a silent prayer wishing there was a helping hand. Hope looms on the horizon. It comes in the form of 23-year-old young women Amy Inglefield and Jeunesse Ali. They have come to the rescue with a novel concept of offering that much-in-need, prayed-for helping hand.

In February, the duo started a business which twinned image consultancy and concierge services (TimeSquared Ltd). At the Guardian’s office on Monday, Inglefield and Ali spoke about the genesis of their business. They met when they were students at Maple Leaf International School in Petit Valley. Their friendship blossomed and today they are business partners. Inglefield said, “The concept is about helping busy people to have more time to themselves. I would always have to do errands for my parents. So I decided I would start my own business. I am more focused on the image consultancy.”

Ali, who has a diploma in event planning from Brown College, Toronto, Canada, chimed in, “You can get a number of services at a hotel. I don’t think we have anything quite like that available normally. I decided I would team up with Amy.” “The bottom line is we want people to have extra time to themselves. That’s why we called it TimeSquared,” added Inglefield. Although they are testing the waters, Ali said, “Although there is a downturn on, we are doing pretty good. Things are looking up, even though we are relatively new kids on the block.” Sounding like an ad, Inglefield said, “As long as there are things we can do, we’ll do it.” Along the way, they are developing marketing skills, building their client base and developing business acumen.

Inglefield on image consultancy
Inglefield’s face lit up when she outlined the most exciting thing which falls under her portfolio—shopping. Tugging at the butterflies on her necklace, she said, “I love to shop for myself. I love to go shopping for others. I loved helping my friends with what they should wear and shouldn’t wear. It is like my dream job. I am really enjoying it.” She also assists people with personal style evaluation which can range from traditional to romantic. “We look at body type, dress, colours, personal style. We might go through your wardrobe and put things together, so it’s easy to find clothes when you need it. Things you might need from day-to-day. We might tell you what not to wear, but we are not insulting in how we do it,” Inglefield said.

“We can go shopping for people and economise for them. You don’t need to have a tonne of money to look good. It’s about how you shop.” Inglefield goes shopping online for her customers and visits the malls and boutiques. She even flips through her trusty booklet, which is classified according to subjects to assist her and make her job easier. “I might pre-select something. So I just take the customer there. We try it on and go. They don’t have to go through the hassle of going through racks of clothing. Sometimes we might go shopping with a group of women. About four of them might gather at a friend’s house. They might have a tea party. Everybody is so excited and happy to go shopping.

Ali on concierge
When Ali makes the trek to the grocery to purchase staples, dairy products or meats for her clients, she is confident in the knowledge her client has more time to themselves. “The bottom line is we want them to have more time to do the things that they need to focus on. The things that are more important to their lives.” Ali is even willing to go the extra mile. “We might do a bit of banking services. We do a bit of corporate service. A little photocopying. We deliver packages.” Other services include baby sitting, reminder services, house management, acting as a liaison to vendors, event planning, computer research and travel arrangements.

At the same time, the young women are cognisant of the precarious state of affairs in the country. “We make sure what we are doing is legal and above board. We try to tie up things around 6 pm,” Ali said. But the overwhelming feeling is the customer satisfaction when they retire to their respective homes in the Diego Martin area. “We want our customers to feel satisfied and happy. We want them to focus on their lives and getting their things done,” Ali said. Quizzed on whether they consider themselves Good Samaritans, Inglefield said, “You could say we’re a bit like of that. We just love to help.” “Girls just wanna help,” Ali joked.

Read Amy Inglefield’s Rave Review on the Sterling Style Academy Fan Page on Facebook

Hey Sterling Style Academy!

I just wanted to give you all an update on our business (TimeSquared Ltd)!

We’ve been doing so well! We’re getting great reviews and have been very well received!
Thank you again for making this all possible (and making my personal dream a reality!) I’m doing what I love thanks to Sterling Style Academy!

I strongly suggest taking their courses as it’s the best and so much fun!  Hi to Michelle for me!

With love
Amy – May 18, 2009

A Message from the Sterling Style Academy

Jeunesse Ali and Amy Inglefield graduated from the Sterling Style Academy Miami in January 2009. They are great, young female entrepreneur role models who demonstrate that with skill, determination and perseverance even those who are young can succeed in a tough economy. We hope these youthful ladies can inspire others to pursue their goals and dreams as well. The duo had their first group session in May and are now featured in The Trinidad Guardian. Congratulations, Ladies! Michelle T. Sterling, Training Director of Sterling Style Academy, is proud to have trained these ladies and help them to successfully launch their career in the image consultancy industry.

The Sterling Style Academy Certified Image Consultants receive our valuable and industry-proven Personal Style Evaluation Books to utilize with their clients.  It is now available for purchase in Spanish and will be available in additional languages upon request.  This benefit is available to Sterling Style Academy Alumni only. Want to learn how to become a member of this elite group?  Inquire today.

Purchase the Personal Style Evaluation Book in Spanish for US$247

US$13.50 in shipping and handling will be billed in addition to your investment outlined above. All Sterling Style Academy training programs and consultant resources are non-refundable and billed through Global Image Group.  You will receive the package within 10 days of your purchase if in the US or with 2 – 3 weeks internationally.

The Sterling Style Academy is proud to launch the first annual Open Business Forum at th Palazzo Hotel next to the Venetian in Las Vegas!  This is an unprecedented opportunity where alumni from each of our international training programs will join to discuss their businesses, the industry, best practices and to expand their global networks.  Conference registration is just $99!

Thursday, September 16 - Palazzo Hotel
1:30pm – 5:30pm
Panel Discussion, Share Best Business Practices, Answer Your Clients’ Most Asked Questions, Network with Your Global Peers

5:30pm – 7:30pm
Mix & Mingle Alumni Social Networking Cocktail Hour

7:30pm – 9:30pm
Enjoy an ultra stylish dinner at Tao in the Venetian

Friday, September 17
11:30am – 5:30pm
Personal Shopping “Refresher Course”
We’ll hit the fabulous shops in the Fashion Show Mall, Palazzo Mall, Forum Shops at Caesar’s, and more for an informal shopping tutorial! Pair up, go in groups, just have fun and remember – this is a learning experience!

9:00pm – … Get dolled up for a sexy night out in Vegas!  We will reconvene at TRYST at the Wynn for dancing, drinks and fun.

Saturday, September 18
11:00am – 1:00pm
Informal Saturday Brunch

This is your day to relax, enjoy the pool, or power through some additional personal shopping!

We have secured a special Sterling Style Academy group rate at the Palazzo hotel for just $169 per night for a suite with one king.  You may choose to share accommodations with a fellow alumni member in a suite with two queen beds for just $199 per night!  Conference registration is only $99.  We look forward to bringing our fabulous Alumni together for this unprecedented networking opportunity!

Conference registration closes on August 6, 2010.

To register for the conference, enter the number of attendees and click submit:

Only the graduates of the Sterling Style Academy’s on-location courses are invited to enroll in The Apprentice Program. These students interact directly with instructors and fellow students, and it is through the development of these interpersonal relationships that determines which students will be the best fit to join the Global Image Group team of international image consultants.

The Sterling Style Academy has certified over 50 professional image consultants from more than 15 countries through our on-location and online courses. These professionals have moved forward to launch successful image consulting firms or have taken the knowledge gained from our courses to improve their positions in their current careers. And most enroll to also learn the styling skills necessary to improve their own self image along the way.

If you are interested in becoming a Global Image Group consultant, then enrolling in one of our on-location courses is required. However, if you lead a busy schedule and aren’t able to get away, then enroll in our online certification course today!

-Karri Ann Frerichs-
Sterling Style Academy Admissions Director

The Sterling Style Academy is proud to launch the first annual Open Business Forum! This is an unprecedented opportunity where alumni from each of our training programs around the world will join for the first time to discuss their businesses, the industry, best practices and to expand their global networks. Specific conference details will be available by the end of the month. Conference registration is just $99!

Friday, May 22, 2009
1:30pm – 5:30pm
Panel Discussion, Share Best Business Practices, Answer Your Clients’ Most Asked Questions, Network with Your Global Peers

5:30pm – 7:30pm
Mix & Mingle Alumni Social Networking Cocktail Hour

7:30pm – 9:30pm
Enjoy an ultra stylish dinner at Tao

Saturday, May 22
11:30am – 5:30pm
Personal Shopping “Refresher Course”
We’ll hit the fabulous shops in the Fashion Show Mall, Palazzo Mall, Forum Shops at Caesar’s, and more for an informal shopping tutorial! Pair up, go in groups, just have fun and remember – this is a learning experience!

9:00pm – …  Get dolled up for a sexy night out in Vegas!  We will reconvene at TRYST for dancing, drinks, fun and …   what happens in Vegas.

Sunday, May 24
11:00am – 1:00pm
Informal Sunday Brunch

This is your day to relax, enjoy the pool, or power through some additional personal shopping!

Stay tuned for more details on the Sterling Style Academy’s First Annual Open Business Forum…

Q: “Does the Sterling Style Academy offer job placement?”

A: Graduates of each of our training programs are equipped with the personal styling and business protocol skills to launch successful consulting companies or to better position themselves within their current professions.  Sterling Style Academy Certified Image Consultants develop professional bios, press releases, introductory sales pitches, and gain an understanding of how to complete a business plan.  When your greatest asset is you, there is no better job placement than the position of CEO and Founder of your own company!

Better yet, the value of your investment in an image consulting, personal shopping and personal styling education from Sterling Style Academy extends well beyond your graduation date.  Our graduates are amply prepared to register for and to pass the AICI First Level Certification exam, which enables an image consultant to place the AICI letters after their name for further credibility.  We offer post-graduate mentorship and the license to use the Sterling Style Academy certified image consultant logo on your business promotional materials.

And to specifically answer this question, the Sterling Style Academy does offer job placement by invitation only to approximately 15% of our graduates, through The Apprentice Program.  The Apprentice Program is the advanced level course that specifically trains graduates to become Global Image Group consultants.

Stay tuned each week for more answers to your Sterling Style Academy FAQs…
-Karri Ann Frerichs-
Sterling Style Academy Admissions Director

Pictured from the left:
Sterling Style Academy Certified Image Consultant, Jeunesse Ali – Trinidad/Tobago;  Sterling Style Academy Certified Image Consultant, Amy Inglefield – Trinidad;  Michelle T. Sterling, Sterling Style Academy Founder;  Sterling Style Academy Certified Image Consultant, Vida Cibic – Slovenia.

Each student set forth and achieved their training goals for launching successful careers in their respective fields:

With extensive experience in the hotel and hospitality industries, Jeunesse Ali will establish a personal concierge service in Trinidad and Tobago where she will employ her newly acquired skills in image consulting and personal styling.  As her passion lies in image, hospitality and customer service, she is confident her company will thrive in Trinidad and Tobago as it is a necessary and highly sought after service.

With a background in advertising and wardrobe styling, Amy Inglefield plans to open her own image consulting business upon her return to Trinidad.  “I hope to give the same satisfaction to others by providing them the opportunity to look and feel their best in their own skin.  I believe that confidence is the key to success and I am certain that I can give both men and women that confidence so they may achieve their own goals.”

With a very successful family business in Slovenia, Vida Cibic has turned her passion for fashion into a career she loves – shopping!  She will work with A-Level executives and prominent people in her home country of Slovenia offering style consultations, wardrobe evaluations, and plenty of personal shopping!

Create your own success story by enrolling today!

She has taken her business expertise and combined it with her keen eye for fashion to offer consulting services for those on a budget to those who indulge in high-end couture. Ms. Chase appeals to vintage fashions and adds her signature flare to transcend the stylings of earlier days to current day trends. She approaches each consult with a vision as she believes that “image starts with a “must have” that multiplies into a signature style”.

Ms. Chase was formally trained at the University of Maryland and earned a B.S. degree in Accounting. She is pursuing her certification as a CPA in the state of Maryland.

Trained by Sterling Style Academy in San Francisco, California, Carmen helps women and men look and feel confident, complete, and appealing through attire and appearance, whether in professional or social circles. Client-specific tips, tricks, and yes, secrets, too, are tailored around an individual’s personality, body type, lifestyle, concerns, likes and dislikes. “I am shocked at how much I learned about myself through working with Carmen,” says a client from Google.

The services offered are, indeed, exercises in self-discovery. Style assessments reveal an individual’s personal style and traits. Wardrobe evaluations ensure that clothing is wearable, suits the individual, and is easy to mix and match. Personal shopping services fill gaps in a wardrobe, or create a fresh and highly functional one. Image consultations provide valuable information on how to reach maximum potential in head-to-toe presentation.

Matching a person with the right attire comes naturally to Carmen. “I feel that I was preparing to become a personal stylist my whole life,” she says. Six years as a writer/reporter informing readers about fashion and lifestyle trends worldwide, and several years of working at a fashion accessory company and running her own home decor business, contribute to her expertise in selecting the appropriate products for various markets. Having lived and worked throughout the world, Carmen understands diversity and easily adapts to different personalities. Clients praise the comfort level she brings. “I must admit that I was somewhat nervous about working with a personal stylist,” explains the Google client, “but Carmen makes me feel completely at ease. What a relief!” Keeping true to a client’s inner essence is of prime importance. “Each individual possesses a unique style,” Carmen explains, “I help bring it to the forefront, express, and enhance it, all within a person’s comfort zone, of course.” Hence her mantra: “Transforming your look should be a way of life.”

Carmen H. Petrossian is trained by Sterling Style Academy. Based in California, she serves clients throughout the state. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Haigazian University in Beirut, and has completed courses at the University of California, Berkeley. Her articles and editorial work have appeared in numerous print and online publications worldwide.

“What am I going to wear today? I pulled out my entire closet and I still can’t figure out what to wear!” a daily chore that we all face when we have a special occasion says image consultant Rita Aad. However, “a personal stylist can help you easily achieve a fabulous well put together wardrobe that is certainly a reflection of your personal style.” People in general love shopping and novelties, they always want the latest and greatest, a personal style consultation and a wardrobe analysis, can save them time, money and wardrobe space. Such an investment is worth it advises Rita Aad, an expert on wardrobe analysis and personal style.

Rita Aad’s famous client states “My life is much easier now that I know how and what to pick for the right occasion without wasting my time, money and effort, my wardrobe has never been more organized and cohesive. Rita Aad’s talent of mixing and matching enhanced my confidence and reduced the daily stress of getting stressed.”

A natural painter and a former Public Relations Manager, Rita Aad’s innate capabilities and friendly approachable attitude won her the admiration and professional success of her clients. “Glamour Chic” is her motto, Rita Aad is a talented professional image consultant, her vision extends beyond wardrobe shopping, hair style and make-up she can see the real person and enhance his image to make him look his best making the transition an exciting experience. Rita Aad has a Business Administration and Graphic Design degree, her training with the Sterling Style Academy as a personal stylist makes her one of the most sought after consultants in the field.