She Created The Image Consulting Industry in
Asia Which Has Since Continuously Changed
People’s Lives
• In 1984, Jill Lowe met an acquaintance who introduced to her the American color analysis concept by Color Me Beautiful. She was then 22 years old.
• About a year later, she decided to start out on her own. Her business grew so quickly such that in 1991, she incorporated Jill Lowe International Pte Ltd to drive the personal branding initiative in an untapped market.
• Jill became the first full fledged image consultant in Asia and her training changed thousands of people’s lives.
Learn to like what you are doing and see how you can make others love
what they are doing.
The Founding of Jill Lowe International
[Credits: Jill Lowe International]
In 1984 when Jill Lowe was introduced to the American Color Me Beautiful Color & Style Analysis concept , she was already trained in the beauty and aesthetics trade and was then very keen to learn why colour and style is so important. She was later shortlisted and qualified for the training under Color Me Beautiful chief trainer, Doris Pooser and the founder, Carole Jackson. She was then 22 years old.
Jill started her colour and style consulting business and progressively grew to own a shop in 1985 at Specialists Centre where 313 Somerset was located presently. Her business grew so fast that in 1991, she incorporated Jill Lowe International Pte Ltd introducing Jill Lowe’s cosmetics and skincare products. Besides providing colour and style consulting services, Jill Lowe began to provide a more holistic suite of services which includes image consultancy, etiquette classes, voice management, presentation skills and much more.
Over the years, the demand for Jill Lowe’s own line of cosmetics and skincare products has grown steadily. Determined to ensure the quality of ingredients which goes into her skincare, Jill recently started to locally manufacture ISO certified cosmetics and skincare products for the global market.
At a time when self empowerment is sheer hard work to success , Jill started introducing the image mastery concept that focus on personal branding to market one's talents ; "It's really one's personal image of likeability , warmth and energy , that gives you boundless opportunities to do what you love to do , and to prosper as you help others too !" she says
As a pioneer in the image industry in Asia, she has always been part of people’s career growth and family bonding progress. She is convinced that image consulting is a business which can transform people’s lives by making them understand how their presentation , etiquette and relationship building skills can make a real big difference.
Entrepreneurship is like a playground with many games. In every
game, there is always a winner and a loser. Sometimes we may get
the winning trophy and sometimes we may pass the trophy to
someone else. There can also be times when we train others to win
this trophy. Because of that, entrepreneurship is never boring.
You have to enjoy the game!
Jill Lowe
Challenges and Rewards
Jill Lowe at her colour training. [Credits: Jill Lowe International]
Like most businesses , it was not all smooth sailing, however. The commencement of Jill’s entrepreneurial journey required her at times to operate independently so that she has can have the freedom to think creatively and to redesign new ways to do the business in this trade. With a positive mindset, her business grew exponentially with new suppliers and customers.
Another challenge she faced was talent retention. This is a common challenge every busines is facing. Under her training, both her former and current employees had improved their personal image greatly. She chuckled, with a twinkle in her eye, saying that their improved personal image naturally landed them more job opportunities. Therefore, Jill takes it all in her stride and she does not see losing talent as a challenge but more of a reward in the course of running her business.
Speaking about rewards, the most satisfying return Jill received from her career life is the fact that her business has always been a contributing factor to talent development. She shared that there are many occasions when her clients had brought their children and eventually their grandchildren, to benefit from her company’s training services and products. It was certainly a worthwhile journey such that it created jobs for many new image consulting players in Asia.
We have learnt from our customers as much as they have learnt from
us, to build and grow careers and families together in contributing
towards community and nation building.
Jill Lowe
On Recruitment & Expansion
Jill Lowe with her team. [Credits: Jill Lowe International]
When we asked Jill what her next BIG idea is, she shared her plans for business expansion as she hopes to reach out to more people globally with her company’s products and services.
As for recruitment of new image consultants, she looks for someone who has the right attitude and character. She says, they must have the qualities to see the good side in people. By having this quality, they will then be able to help customers perform at their best.
If you are an entrepreneur, everybody is your boss and that includes
your staff. You have to enjoy pleasing your ‘bosses’.
Jill Lowe
Be Wise, Be Sharp and Everybody is Your Boss
Jill Lowe with Jacky Tan, the chief editor of TheBIGIdea.sg
We then asked Jill what advice she wished to give to other entrepreneurs. She said we need to be wise in decision making, be sharp to deeply understand things and know enough about finance and banking ; and most importantly , treat all your customers as your bosses!
Find out more about Jill Lowe International at the link here.