Clients rush for new image

Leah Evans of Topgear Coaching sees an increase in clients looking for help with their personal development in the new year. Photo / Ben Fraser

Local services are seeing an increase in clients who are wanting to make a change in their life in the new year.

Leah Evans of Topgear Coaching said she saw a spike this time of year for those seeking her help in personal development. She sees clients an hour at a time in her home studio.

She qualified with a diploma in Health Sciences Psychology and Nutrition from Massey University and a Diploma in Coaching from the Leading Edge Foundation.

"I've been doing this for seven years and it's a pattern I see every year.

"In the last few years people are wanting help with weight loss and nutrition but that's often a symptom of what's going on in the inside and my approach is to get long-term results, finding out what the heart of the issue is.

"If you haven't figured out why you're eating you're not going to have long term results.

"But people come in for all different reasons, lots of relationship issues, be that at work or home, family members or friends.

"It can be really hard work and you must be really honest with yourself, but it's also amazing watching how people transform.

"The way they carry themselves, the way they look, besides from weight loss ... they're more confident and it could be the difference between walking into a job interview and nailing it."

Rotorua-based image and personal brand coach Leanne Mulcahy said she has had about 10 new clients sign up with her this month. Ms Mulcahy is the business owner of LM International Ltd and offered workshops and one-on-one coaching for women to align their image to who they are and what they do.

"I think that [holiday] break gives people time to think about themselves, particularly women. It's a good moment for them to say it's time to try and put myself first and New Year is as good a time as any."

Colour Me Beautiful style and image consultant Mary Carlson said the New Year was busy with women wanting to make a change.

"Their children are going back to school and they are heading back to the workforce. We expect to get busier after the school holidays as well," she said.

"Women are discovering more through the media now on how much a focus there is on image and women are becoming more aware and conscious that their clothes say a lot about them."

Many in the region were also looking for a new relationship.

Daniel Bridges, head of online dating website FindSomeone, said he saw a rise of new members in the Bay of Plenty region. A breakdown of Rotorua numbers was not available.

"Things are looking good in the Bay of Plenty, and singles are thirsty for some love this month," he said.

"At FindSomeone we've seen significant growth in January compared to the first two weeks of December for the Bay with new sign-ups up by 49 per cent.

"This mirrors the growth we're seeing nationwide as the New Year period through to the Valentine's Day is when people set their sights on finding someone special."