Image consultant and style professional Cherise B is bringing fashion to the forefront of corporate America, one business suit at a time through her firm White Diamond Image Consulting. The Atlanta-based company caters to an array of high-profile clientele including CEOs, small business owners and celebrities. She believes enhancing their outward appearance will help them attract more clients to grow their businesses. She also stresses the importance of not only looking the part, but taking care of your body, as well.
Cherise’s mother was once diagnosed with breast cancer and survived, but later passed away due to congestive heart failure. “We have to take care of our bodies. A lot health issues come from poor dieting and lack of exercise,” she says.
In honor of her late mother, B joined the Be Amped Campaign to spread breast cancer awareness along with other notable faces in Atlanta. Rolling out spoke with V about the breast cancer campaign and the importance getting mammograms.
What does it mean to be an image and style professional?
I predominately help women with their image and style from head to toe. My focus now is helping evolving entrepreneurs with finding their style for the business world. I help them attract more clients so that they can make more money.
How did you come up with the idea to create your company White Diamond Image Consulting?
It all came about with the inspiration from a diamond. I was going through a rough time. For some odd reason when I was at my lowest point I had this endless attraction to diamonds. I kept asking myself what it was about. I later realized it was the process of how a diamond was made. My business is inspired by the diamond in the rough. Once diamonds are polished and processed, they begin to shine.
Who are some of the clients you work with?
My clients are female high level executives, CEO’s, beauty professionals, expert entrepreneurs, tv/radio personalities and l have a few athletes.
How has cancer affected your family?
My mother was a survivor of cancer. She had to have a mastectomy and it was pretty traumatic for me. She ended up passing away from congestive heart failure. Watching her battle with cancer was very difficult for me and my family. I was 35 years old when she was diagnosed. I started to take it upon myself to go get checked and receive mammograms. Doctors will tell you that you don’t need to start until you are in your 40s, but after my mother’s passing I knew I needed to go before I reached that age.
Did your mom’s life change after she had the mastectomy?
Yes. She did talk about it. She was dealing with other illnesses in addition to breast cancer. The cancer was really a wakeup call. We didn’t have any history in the family. Her message was for us to consistently go get mammograms. She kept telling us to go since she had no idea where her breast cancer came from. My mom was 47 years old when she discovered she had the illness. It has been ten years since her passing. Everyone needs to get checked. If you have breasts male or female you need to get checked. A lot of young people are getting diagnosed. All ages need to get mammograms.
How did you become a part of the Be Amped campaign?
Lisa Gee is a good friend of mine and we had previously worked on some other projects together. She asked me to be a part of a new project and of course I said yes. When she finally told me what it was all about it was definitely a no brainer for me. I also had another friend doing a breast cancer project and I was not able to participate, so I had to do everything I could to be involved with Be Amped.
