Meet Arlene Stearns

We had the good fortune of connecting with Arlene Stearns and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Arlene, how does your business help the community?
My program empowers women by elevating their presence and amplifying their confidence. so they look like a leader to get paid like one. Many of my clients receive promotions, land larger contracts, or step into leadership roles after aligning their image with their goals and highest potential. When this happens, gender equity increases income gaps decease. As women lead with presence and purpose, they uplift their families, workplaces, and entire communities.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My business, ImageUp, was born from the belief: when a woman elevates her presence, she elevates her entire life. I help professional women step into their power by aligning their image with their goals so they can be seen, respected, and rewarded as the leaders they truly are.
What sets me apart is that my work isn’t just about clothes; it’s about transformation. I combine decades of experience in art, color theory, body analysis, personal brand strategy, and mindset coaching to create a signature process that helps women look like leaders and get paid like leaders. My clients don’t just walk away with outfits; they walk away with confidence, clarity, and a renewed sense of possibility.

My path wasn’t linear or easy. I spent most of my life in education as a student and a teacher. And was clueless about business. When I retired from that career, I accessed my talents, gifts, and turned my mom’s inspiration into my personal brand styling/image business. I built ImageUp from the ground up by combining my creative background as an artist with years of training in color and design. My 10-year affiliation with a wardrobing company and 5 year working in a boutique also paid off. I had to learn marketing, systems, finances, understand the psychology of presence, and push past my own limiting beliefs. There were times I questioned everything, but I kept going because I knew my work mattered. COVID years were challenging because no one had to show up anywhere and sweatpants were the norm.

Other challenges were visibility, confidence, and understanding of my own value; ironically, the very challenges my clients face. I had to learn to show up boldly, speak to groups, network consistently, and embrace that my gifts were not just artistic; they were transformative. I invested in mentors, business coaches, kept refining my systems, and aligned my business with my mission: to help women rise.
Every challenge became a steppingstone to become stronger, clearer, and more authentic.
Here are some truths I learned along the way:
Your presence is your silent ambassador. It speaks before you do and often determines the opportunities you receive.
Confidence is created, not stumbled upon. When you feel aligned on the outside, you show up stronger on the inside.
Women are powerful beyond measure when they claim their worth and visibility.
Business is a marathon of refinement. Keep evolving, keep learning, and stay true to your purpose.
I want women everywhere to know that their visibility is not vanity; it’s leadership.
Your image is not superficial; it’s strategic. It’s your reputation, your confidence, and your earning potential wrapped into one.
My brand and my story are rooted in empowerment. When a woman sees herself through a lens of worth, everything in her life rises to meet that vision from her income to her influence and inner peace.
ImageUp exists to help women shine, not just with style, but with presence, clarity, and magnetic confidence. I’m proud that I get to help women step into the fullest, most powerful expression of themselves.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One morning, we’d head out to Stone Mountain Park for a mix of outdoor adventure and take the Skyride to the summit to experience panoramic of the Atlanta skyline and North Georgia hills. Next we’ll stop for lunch at the restaurant there and eat southern fried chicken, biscuits, mashed potatoes and collard greens followed by peach cobbler topped with ice cream and washed down with sweet ice tea. We’d spend the after noon wandering the trails and then ride the scenic railroad that loops around the mountain. The day would be topped off with the patriotic laser show as we dined from our picnic basket.

We’d take MARTA explore the iconic spots like the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, and Centennial Park in down town Atlanta. Being surrounded by sharks, sea turtles, and millions of fish is mind blowing. At the World of Coke, we’ll step into a fizzy wonderland of history, memorabilia, and interactive exhibits celebrating one of the world’s most beloved brands and finish with the tasting room. Just across the way, Centennial Park offers a beautiful, relaxing outdoor space in the heart of downtown. With its sparkling Fountain of Rings, lush lawns, and skyline views, it’s the perfect place to unwind, stroll, and snap some pictures. The Westin Hotel has a revolving restaurant to sip a cocktail and dine with a fabulous view!

We’ll spend a day at the Atlanta History Center with historical exhibits and beautifully preserved buildings.
Within its grounds, the Swan House built in 1928 is a must-see! This elegant mansion evokes the glamour of the Jazz Age and walking through its rooms feels like stepping back in time. The gardens: terraces, fountains, and lush lawns make it perfect for photos. We’ll have afternoon tea at Swan Coach House, which is located on the same grounds as Swan House. The frozen fruit salad and signature dessert shaped like a swan are so deliciously famous! There is also an art gallery and gift shop with take home selections to take home for dinner.

We’ll enjoy a day close to home just shopping at The Collection and lunching at Chicken Salad Chick. We’ll see my paintings in the Art Center, housed in a historic Brannon Beard House built in 1905, Next we’ll shop in the Cumming City Center and eat BBQ in a roof top brewery as we listen to a free concert.

Gibbs Gardens is one of North Georgia’s true hidden gems with a a breathtaking, privately owned botanical paradise tucked away in Ball Ground, GA. Created by visionary landscape designer Jim Gibbs, it spans over 336 acres and features an extraordinary collection of gardens that change dramatically with the seasons. We’ll stroll the paths there and catch a quick bite at the little bistro there. We’re close to the wineries so we’ll finish the day at Wolf Mt. and enjoy dinner, a glass of wine, and the beautiful sunset.

We’re getting close the end of our visit. A day a Lake Lanier culminating in a sail boat cruise with Lord Nelson Sailing Charters is an awesome experience. We’ll pack finger sandwiches, fresh fruit and veggies, and munchies along with some bubbly to toast our grand adventures and watch the sun go down.

The final day we’ll sleep in and brunch at Nido’s – great omelets and avocado toast. Then do laundry and pack the luggage. Until the next time!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to dedicate my shoutout to the woman who planted the very first seeds of what would eventually become my life’s work: my mother.

She was a photographic fashion model in Manhattan in the 1940s, and she taught me one of the most powerful lessons: “the value you place on yourself is the value others will place on you.” She showed me, long before I ever understood it professionally, that how you show up in the world truly matters.

During a difficult time in my twenties, she gave me a gift I will never forget—a makeover at Saks Fifth Avenue in Atlanta. I walked in looking like a schoolgirl and walked out looking and feeling like a young professional woman. That moment changed me and something clicked inside me: the way we present ourselves can shift not just how others see us, but how we see ourselves. I truly felt like a million dollars!

That transformation is the feeling I now strive to create for my clients every single day. My mother’s wisdom, elegance, and belief in the power of presence continue to shape the heart of my work. She deserves so much of the credit for the business I’ve built and the women I’m honored to serve.

Website: https://imageupsystem.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imageupsystem

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arlene-stearns

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImageUpSystem

Image Credits
Ann Dower