Keep The Faith magazine - Britain's leading publication about Black faith

Keep The Faith talks to Bukky Ayoade, of Rabuna Image Consultancy, a company helping people to look their best.

BUKKY AYOADE believes we all have the opportunity to look our best – that’s why when she got the chance to pursue one of her lifelong ambitions and train to become an image consultant,

she grabbed it with both hands and set up her business Rabuna Image Consultancy. Bukky stresses that image is not about vanity, but about accepting God’s truth about our image. “No matter what size, shape or colour we are, everyone is and has the potential to appear beautiful,” she says. “We need to accept God’s truth about our image, just as we do about anything else: health, finances, protection, etc. We should celebrate ourselves and show ourselves off to the world in the best light.  But we shouldn’t just focus on the outer appearance, which is good, but also nurture our inner beauty.”

Bukky, who trained as a pharmacist, also runs a Facebook page called Fearfully and Wonderfully Made where she keeps fans up to date with current trends and thinking. “We live in a world where, like it or not, or believe it or not, image is important. When we meet people they form an impression of us by what they see within the first few minutes.  Our image forms 55% of how we communicate who we are, compared to seven per cent by the words we speak, so it is important that we put our best foot forward at all times. If people perceive that we take care of ourselves, they will look after us when they interact with us.”

The 45 year old set up the Consultancy after she felt God opened a door for her when she was made redundant from a blue-chip pharmaceutical company.  She recalled: “I’ve always had an innate sense of style, and friends would always ask me to go shopping with them when they had to find something to wear.  I also love meeting people so I thought, what can I do that would involve my sense of style and creativity, add value to others, and get me meeting new and different people? This led me to image consultancy.”

She embarked on a professional training course, and last April she became a certified image consultant.  Since then, Bukky has been building the business and helping a host of clients from all backgrounds achieve their style goals. A consultation is literally life-changing and can boost a client’s self-esteem and confidence.

People who use Bukky are given a free consultation to understand their style goals. Usually a colour and style analysis is recommended, then comes a wardrobe detox, where clients are given advice on what clothing they should keep or give away. A client can also have advice on wardrobe planning, or have Bukky accompany them on a personal shopping trip so she can give advice on choosing the right style and colours.

With the first year in business over, Bukky isn’t resting on her laurels, and plans to expand the business, part of which includes giving inspirational talks and running workshops at both Christian and secular events.  But her ambition doesn’t stop there. One day, Bukky believes she’ll be setting up Rabuna Image’s very own retreat centre for women, where talks and workshops can be run.

For more details, visit www.rabunaimage.com or contact 07984 374064.