Fashion Questions and Answers: About Me

About Kathy

Kathy is passionate about helping you discover and cultivate your own personal style personality and professional image. She has a knack for quickly defining wardrobe frustrations, and understanding the link between image and personal (and professional) success. Her ability to explain proper fit, select the right color palate and define style makes her a valuable resource for stay-at-home-moms, corporate executives, politicians and television personalities.

Philosophy

“Style is an expression of who you are – an extension of your personality. Projecting the best image possible makes a person a better friend, spouse, parent, employee and above all – a better leader.”

Background

At the age when most young girls were dressing up their dolls, Kathy dressed up and styled her friends. Her talent for creating eye-catching looks continued throughout her high school and college years and began to include her career.

Kathy earned a Bachelors Degree from Indiana State University, and a Masters Degree from Davenport University. Her professional background includes over 20 years as a Marketing professional with specific expertise in media and advertising to reach women.

Kathy’s experience as a buyer, designer rep, advertising, marketing and social media provides her with an advantage over her competition. In 1994 she began to merge her “hobby” with her professional life; from there her entrepreneurial spirit drove her to create her own company: Kathy Friend , Image Consultant.

Awards, Certifications and Training

DCC Certified Color Expert

CIC Trained Image Consultant

Body Shape Type Expert

Individual Style Definition Certification

Psychology of Clothing and Business Certification / Expert

Dove Campaign for Beauty - facilitator

SHORE Magazine - Regional Style Icon (Chicago)

AICI - recognized Image Consultant

Kathy is one of the certified image consultants (CIC) that is part of Shari Braendel’s Fashion Meets Faith workshop team, a nationally known speaking team.

Print Media, Television and Radio

Kathy is the Fashion Editor of The Family Magazine and is a contributor to Sassy Magazine, BOOM Magazine, Michiana Man and Be The Boss Magazine. She has also written articles that have appeared in Wedding Day Magazine, and BlissfulStyle.com. Since 2009, Kathy has been the key editor of the Goodwill of Michiana’s “Goodwill Tips” blog.

In addition to writing, Kathy has been quoted in local, regional and national publications including: The Elkhart Truth, The South Bend Tribune, Tribune Business Weekly, CNN, InMichiana, and LAKE Magazine.

Since 2007 Kathy has made regular appearances as a fashion and style expert on morning news programs. She has appeared on the Fox59 Morning News Show (Indianapolis), WSJV Fox 28 Morning News Show (Elkhart), WSBT Morning Show (South Bend), and the WNDU16 Morning News (South Bend). She has also appeared on The Harvest Show and on international television via WHME-TV. From 2010 - 2012 she was heard on a weekly radio segment on WFRN’s Family Friendly Morning Show with Doug & Vincy (Elkhart). She has also been heard on B100 Radio, QMix Radio, and on PULSE FM.

Associations

Kathy is a member of:

The Junior League of South Bend, IN / Indianapolis, IN

The Bloomington (Indiana) Chamber of Commerce

National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)

For nearly 30 years, Kathy has been an active member of her community; actively volunteering with St. Margaret’s House (South Bend, IN), Granger Community Church (Granger, IN), and offered her time and fund raising skills as a dancer for the Center for the Homeless (South Bend, IN) annual event, Dancing With Our Stars Miracle Auction.

She has served on the Board of Directors for:

Good Shepherd Montessori School

The March of Dimes (Michiana - South Bend, IN)

Topsfield Condo minimum Association (South Bend, IN)

Women Business Owners of Michiana

February 1, 2013

Who Am I?