Since I started my journey as a color analyst ...
you have all been so supportive and asked so many amazing questions! So I figured why not post a question box on my Instagram to gather all of your biggest questions so I could put them into a blog post.
Whether you are interested in becoming a Color Analysis yourself or just curious about my journey...I hope these questions help you get to know what I do a little bit better!
If you have more questions, please drop them in the comments! I would love to answer them and keep growing this amazing community!
How much did it cost to get started?
Everyone’s experience is going to be different! I chose to go all in right from the beginning with a home studio, website, etc. which was an investment between 10-12k. My initial costs included:
-
-
Certification courses (advanced and mastery)
-
Drape kit
-
New computer
-
Lighting, mirror, furniture, etc.
-
Website
-
How quickly did you make your money back?
As soon as I graduated I started booking appointments and was fortunate to make my investment back after a couple of months.
How did you build your clientele so quickly?
I’ve been in the social media game for over a decade, picking up a ton about marketing along the way. Between past roles in sales, recruiting, and marketing, I’ve had years of trial, error, learning, and leveling up. But the real growth didn’t hit until the last 2–3 years—when I got serious about my business, narrowed my niche, and finally put all those lessons into action. All of this effort and patience helped me build an amazing supportive network and leveraged my email list so I was prepared when I started taking on clients.
What made you choose Global Color Analysis (GCA) over other systems?
I looked into several programs, but ultimately chose GCA because it offered the most accuracy, prioritized diversity and inclusion, was backed by solid science, and had a mentor I genuinely trusted. I also loved how comprehensive the system is—and the fact that I didn’t have to franchise with them gave me the long-term freedom and flexibility I was really looking for.
Learn more about the Global Color Analysis course here.
Biggest challenge?
Residual income matters. Since a color analysis is a one-time investment, I constantly need to find new clients. I want to keep serving my current clients with valuable, ongoing resources—while also creating income that isn’t solely tied to booking appointments.
What do you do if someone doesn’t like their palette?
My goal during an analysis is simple: I want my clients to see the impact color has on them, understand the process, and walk away feeling confident with the result. Sometimes the outcome can bring surprise—or even a little disappointment—and that’s totally normal. I take the time to explain exactly how we arrived at the season and show as many examples as needed to really see it click.
At the end of the day, this is a recommendation, not a rulebook. Clients don’t need to overhaul your entire wardrobe or change their hair overnight. I recommend they start small—try some new makeup shades or swap jewelry—and notice how it feels.
Because fashion trends over the past decade have leaned so minimal, neutral, and soft, some clients feel overwhelmed when they first see their full palette. That’s why I always remind them that they don’t have to wear every color. The palette is a guide, not a checklist—it’s here to help explore new options they might never have considered before.
Can you work this solely online or mobile instead of having a studio?
Absolutely! There are many ways to work your business, you just have to find which option is best for you. Every option will come with its challenges but anything is possible.
Is virtual harder than in-person? Did you offer virtual right away along with in-person?
Yes, virtual analysis can technically be more difficult. But it is still just as accurate as in-person— it just requires specialized training and a lot of practice to build real confidence. The biggest factor? The quality of your client’s photos. If you offer virtual services, I highly recommend including a disclaimer that results depend heavily on their photo submissions. And don’t be afraid to ask for new ones until you’ve got what you need to give an accurate result!
Personally, I waited a few months after getting certified to offer virtual analyses. I wanted to be rock solid with in-person first before adding the extra layer of complexity that comes with virtual.
Have you ever realized later on that you mistyped someone? If so, how did you handle that?
I can only recall one time I mistyped someone—and it was during a virtual analysis. Based on the original photos, I typed her as a Soft Autumn. About six months later, she reached out saying the palette still felt a little “off,” so I had her send in new photos. After re-evaluating, I landed on Classic Autumn instead. It’s been a couple of months since the update, and she’s absolutely loving it now!
I always tell my clients that I’m happy to revisit their analysis if something doesn’t feel right. While I’m confident in my training and experience, I’m also human—and sometimes, submitted photos just don’t capture things clearly. I do encourage clients to give their season a fair try for a few months before we reassess. Sometimes it just takes a little time for it all to click and for some shock to wear off.
Don't forget, drop a question down below if I didn't answer it! And make sure you follow me on Instagram so you don't miss the next time I do a Q&A.