High School

Take classes in family and consumer science to develop budget and consumer skills as well as learn about fashion and home design. If the class offers a sewing unit, you will learn about tailoring, and you can develop an eye for clothes sizes. Math, business, and accounting courses will prepare you for the administrative details of the job. English composition, speech, and marketing classes will help you develop the skills youll need for promoting your business and for advising clients about their wardrobes.

Postsecondary Training

Personal shoppers do not need formal training; however, to succeed you will need to excel at networking and sales. Many people working as personal shoppers have had experience in other areas of business. They have worked as managers in corporations or have worked as salespeople in retail stores. If you have never owned a business before and choose to be a self-employed personal shopper, classes or seminars on starting a business would be helpful. These classes will help you to devise a business plan and learn about the pros and cons of starting a business. The Small Business Administration (https://www.sba.gov) offers many free or low-cost classes and resources for aspiring business owners.

Certification

The IAP Career College offers a personal shopper certificate course. Topics include getting ready, how to provide personal shopping services, getting hired as a personal shopper, starting your own personal shopping business, and getting clients. Visit https://www.iapcollege.com/program/personal-shopper-course for more information.

Some colleges offer certificates in image consulting, marketing, business management, and related fields. Contact schools in your area to learn what types of programs are available.

Other Education or Training

The Association of Image Consultants International provides continuing education (CE) opportunities at its conferences and in other settings. The Small Business Administration provides seminars on starting and operating a successful business. Executive Women International offers an Academy of Leadership and webinars such as Social Media for Business Success. The National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals also provides CE courses. Contact these organizations for more information.

Certification or Licensing

There are no specific certification or licensing requirements for personal shoppers; however, those wishing to increase their marketability and enhance their credibility with potential clients may choose to pursue voluntary certification in related areas. For example, the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) provides three levels of certification: certified image consultant, certified image professional, and certified image master. The AICI says that "certification is a great marketing tool to build your business and attract clients." Each certification level requires proof of experience in the field, training, and passing an exam. The National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals offers the certified professional organizer credential. Contact these organizations for more information.

Personal shoppers gain experience by helping friends and family shop for the most flattering and affordable clothing or finding the perfect gift. Use the Internet, catalogs, and in-store visits to gather information about products.

Personal shoppers must have stellar interpersonal skills, and understand fabrics and fashion. Those who wish to go into business for themselves must be able to network and build their clientele base, while rewarding current customers for their loyalty.

Sales experience is helpful and a personal shopper should be perceptive to the needs of clients. Personal shoppers in business for themselves will also need entrepreneurial skills.