Background
Anna Soo Wildermuth, AICI CIM, ACC is an industry-recognized leader in professional development, image enhancement, and improving communication. Her coaching credentials include:
- Associate Certified Coach (ACC) accredited through the International Coach Federation (ICF)
- Certified Platinum Rule Assessment Coach and Trainer
- Certified Stakeholder-Centered Coach
Anna has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, ABC7 Chicago, CNN Financial, and Fox News. Anna is the author of Change One Thing: Discover what’s holding you back and fix it with the secrets of a top executive coach.
Anna’s Story
My first real career out of college was as a real estate agent, and let me tell you, at first I stank at it. I couldn’t sell water to a fish. In my first year, I earned just $117.42. I talked too fast, had a horribly big perm, and wore a ring on every finger and long, flowing skirts. Nobody could figure me out. I knew I had to do something differently if I wanted to be successful. I decided to study the people in my office who were making money. I was young and thought I knew everything, but it was clear that I needed to start learning from my successful coworkers.
I soon realized how crucial it is to make a good impression in the first sixty seconds. I knew I needed to change my image. First, I cut my hair and let it go natural again. When that got a positive reaction from my coworkers, I went one step further and got rid of my jewelry. Next, I shortened my skirts and put on jackets. By the time I left real estate to become an image consultant in 1986, I had sold $3.5 million in property and had become a lifetime member of the Two Million Dollar Club.
Although I was a successful agent, I knew deep down that selling real estate wasn’t what I was meant to do. I had always enjoyed making my friends over, turning them into beautiful swans, and I was good at it. So I researched the field, joined the industry associations, and eventually got the proper accreditation to open Personal Images, Inc. Once again, I rose to the top of my profession because I was willing to change.
My next step was to build my skill set in executive coaching. I had a client who brought me in for image consulting for an entire team, and two of the team members looked great. I realized that communication was the area they needed help with, and that was my inspiration to expand my own skill set. As coaching has grown in prominence and popularity, I’ve learned that my ability to help my clients improve their physical presence pairs naturally with their need for support in other areas that helps them pull together a complete, polished package. Today, I work with the whole person: the job role, strengths, opportunities to advance, and the complete, individual brand.