My Career: ‘I was driven to use my experience to help women feel good in their own skin’

Lynda Di Blasi, Image Consultant

Name: Lynda Di Blasi

Age: Young at heart!

Lives: Cork city

Job title: Image Consultant

Salary bracket: Enough to keep me happy!

Education/employment background: Banking. Beautician qualification. Decluttering studies. Image consultant, personal styling, colour analysis, and personal shopper.

Hobbies: My husband is Sicilian, and I travel to Italy many times during the year. I go to northern Italy twice a year for research on current trends and inspiration. I bring these Italian influences into my style consultations and talks. I visit the shops in Milan once a year and experience their love of fashion, attention to detail, and creativity.

Describe your job in five words: Empowering, Transformative, Inspiring, Encouraging and Rewarding.

Describe yourself in five words: Approachable, Driven, Professional, Grateful, Positive.

Personality needed for this kind of work: Empathetic, I understand body changes, career shifts, the ebb and flow of self-confidence, and the pressures that women experience as we go through life.

Being composed and professional is key. My clients experience and receive assurance with professional knowledge while dealing with the pressure that comes with working on live fashion segments on RTÉ’s Today show.

Honesty and sensitivity also play a major part in my styling consultations. I form valuable friendships because of my personal styling, wardrobe detox, and shopping services.

Looking professional and polished is important as I believe we are our own most powerful marketing tool, representing our brand and business. I am delighted to be delivering an online session called ‘Wearing Your Brand’ on March 2 for Local Enterprise Week in conjunction with the Local Enterprise Office, Cork City. I will be sharing professional tips to entrepreneurs, on how to use our image as a strategic marketing tool. When our appearance aligns with our expertise and goals, self-confidence grows, and opportunities arise and increase.

How long are you doing this job? Six years.

How did you get this job? I worked in Ulster Bank for 18 years in total. During this time, I worked in retail at weekends, and I qualified as a beautician by night in College of Commerce. I took a career break to be a stay-at-home parent after my third boy was born. While on a career break, I qualified in decluttering services.

Once my youngest started primary school, I put into action my dream and goal of being an entrepreneur, and my passion was the beauty and styling industry.

I had experienced first-hand the challenges, the loneliness of being a stay-at-home mum rearing three under five. I was driven to use my experience to help women feel good in their own skin, confident in their outfits, expressing their personality and strengths through image daily, elevating their image to achieve personal and professional goals.

I qualified as an image consultant, colour analysis, and personal shopper with Joan Cashman Style Academy. I completed the Start Your Own Business course with the Local Enterprise Office, Cork City and this was so beneficial and gave me the expert advice which was crucial to setting up my own business. I love continually learning and keeping up to date with modern techniques and skills.

I regularly use the LEO mentorship services available to all and free of charge. This gives me valuable insights from experts in a variety of services, from marketing to website expertise, and I am delighted to give back by doing the online workshop during Local Enterprise Week.

‘Wearing Your Brand’ is a free online course on March 2, but people need to register beforehand at https://www.localenterprise.ie/corkcity/training-events/online-bookings/local-enterprise-week-2026-wearing-your-brand.html.

In 2025, I retrained in eye treatments, lash lift, and brow lamination skills with Meraki beauty. I am delighted to offer clients a range of services relating to image. I present style, colour, and professional image talks to various groups and businesses, sharing my expertise with men and women.

Do you need particular qualifications or experience?

Yes, professional beauty and image consultant qualifications, colour analysis, and personal shopping for male and female.

Describe a day at work: No two days are the same, which I love. I offer personal style and colour analysis in my studio in Tivoli. It’s a relaxed, friendly environment where my clients can enjoy self-care, and I share professional styling tips and clarify their best colours through colour analysis and look at suitable make-up and jewellery shades.

Once you clarify your most flattering colours, it removes any guesswork around your colour choices and results in you creating a wardrobe that coordinates and you enjoy wearing.

Some days bring the studio lights of live television, working on the live fashion segments for the Today show. It’s such a great thrill experiencing the energy in a television studio, working with stylists and various brands.

I have a tutoring role, a weekly night class, ‘Style with Confidence,’ which I am really enjoying. It’s a wonderful, positive environment where we discuss body positivity, styling, and outfit creation.

It’s a very busy time currently for personal shopping clients with upcoming confirmations, communions and spring events. I remove the stress of searching, saving you time. I have outfits pre-picked in your size and preference, ensuring comfort and image positivity. My clients come back to me time after time and recommend me to others, which I am very grateful for.

How many hours do you work a week? Too many, at times! I do my best to balance a busy household and a business. I practice gratitude daily.

What do you wear to work?

We all have a personal style personality, and mine is creative and romantic. I love feminine pieces, textures, colours, and feminine dresses. I do love the effortlessness of a co-ord for busy days. Adding pieces of interest to my outfits, jewellery, bows, and accessories can transform a neutral piece for any occasion.

The power of a tailored trouser suit for certain meetings and networking events gives me presence. I ask myself daily how I want to feel in my outfit for the day ahead and intentionally follow that intention. I add interest and detail to my outfits, which expresses my professional and personal personality.

Is your industry male or female-dominated? Both.

Does this affect you in any particular way? No.

Do you work with others or on your own? Solo.

When do you plan to retire or give up working? I consider myself just getting started.

Best bits: My professional guidance ensures my clients look and feel amazing for every room they walk into at their comfort level. From every encounter, I love experiencing my client’s self-confidence ignite in front of me. That spark appears in their eyes.

We all deserve to feel and look good when we step out daily, and I feel so much satisfaction in connecting with wonderful people every day.

When you feel good in yourself, it encourages you to step into your strengths, and the confidence radiates into every area of your life.

Worst bits: None.

Advice to those who want your job? Believe in your dreams, step into your strengths at every opportunity.

• Lynda will host a free online course, ‘Wearing Your Brand’, on March 2 as part of Local Enterprise Week. To register, see: https://www.localenterprise.ie/corkcity/training-events/online-bookings/local-enterprise-week-2026-wearing-your-brand.html