Have you ever felt the need to reinvent yourself? To step away from a long-standing career and explore new horizons? Bruce Pflaumer did just that after spending 17 years at Nordstrom. His journey is a testament to the power of personal growth and the courage it takes to follow your passion.

Bruce’s story begins with his extensive career at Nordstrom, where he racked up an impressive 100,000 frequent flyer miles by April one year. The constant travel and corporate demands eventually led him to a crossroads. On his birthday, after returning from a particularly grueling trip, he realized he didn’t see himself in the future leadership of the company. This epiphany was the catalyst for his decision to leave and explore new opportunities.

“I walked in on my birthday and I had just come back from a very long trip, and I looked at the wall. When you walk into Nordstrom corporate center in downtown Seattle at the time, all the vice presidents and presidents were on the wall, they had all their faces. And I actually didn’t see myself there. And at the time, I thought, I don’t think the company sees me ever being here either.”

Initially, Bruce took some time off to reflect and consider his next steps. He dabbled in various interests, including a surprising stint as an account manager for 98.9 Smooth Jazz KWJZ radio. His love for music made this an enjoyable detour, but it wasn’t long before he felt the pull to return to the fashion industry, albeit in a different capacity.

Bruce’s journey took a significant turn when he started his own image consulting business. What began as a side hustle quickly grew into a full-time endeavor. His first major breakthrough came when he was invited to conduct a seminar for a group of prominent women. By the end of the night, he had gained 17 new clients, solidifying his decision to pursue image consulting full-time.

In 2012, Bruce rebranded his business to Michael Bruce Image Consulting. With the help of a talented marketer named Stacy, he transformed his vision into a thriving brand. His unique talent for assessing individuals and offering personalized style advice quickly set him apart in the industry.

“I can assess people and give them one tip on something that they could do that would make their style better.” 

One of Bruce’s most memorable experiences was helping a woman who had recently lost a significant amount of weight. She simply wanted someone to look at her and say, “wow.” Bruce not only achieved this but also helped her choose her wedding dress years later. This transformation was a powerful reminder of the impact his work could have on people’s lives.

Bruce’s journey from Nordstrom to image consulting is a powerful example of the importance of following your passion and being open to new opportunities. His story is a testament to the fact that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself and pursue a career that truly fulfills you.

If you’re feeling stuck in your current job or contemplating a career change, Bruce’s story will inspire you to take that leap of faith. Tune in to this week’s episode to hear more about his incredible journey and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

For more inspiring stories, visit https://goodlifestories.com/.

About Bruce Pflaumer

I am a professional golfer in my head, terrible at keeping a “poker face,” and a lot of fun.  

I enjoy bottled water, hand sanitizer, and Apple products.  

Style isn’t one thing; it’s a lifestyle. It’s the integration of your internal and external self-image; reflected to the world.

Bruce’s more than 25 years of experience and expertise in the apparel industry include buying, selling, styling, merchandising, design, development, and brand building.  He spent seventeen years with Nordstrom, Inc., where his professional travels took him to New York, Paris, London, Italy, and Asia.  His experience and tenure in the fashion industry, engaging personality and natural talent merge, establishing him an expert in the field of personal style and image consulting.  His clients are men and women of all ages and consist of a diverse and dynamic group of individuals that range from television personalities, athletes, and Fortune 1000 CEOs to teens, businesses in search of professional style and people in the midst of life/career changes.  Bruce, and his team of consultants, relish working with clients at different stages of their style journey, as well as educating and empowering people in the art of self through style.

“Fashion changes, but style endures.” – Coco Channel

Bruce’s Links

Website: http://www.michaelbruceimageconsulting.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/michaelbruceic

About Tracy Crowley

Tracy Crowley has always been an entrepreneur. Whether it was making gowns for fellow Army wives, taking portraits in black and white, or working on her other businesses, she is always learning something new.

That passion for learning something new and giving something back collide nicely in this podcast.

Join Tracy for Good Life Stories, where simple curiosity brings out great stories, every single time.

Check out Tracy’s new book! https://tracycrowley.life/