We were lucky to catch up with Lorena Romero recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Lorena, thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?
Starting my own company meant I could be flexible and creative in my work. It allows me to develop unique services that truly fit the needs of each client. I wanted to offer more than just a typical image consultation; I wanted to create a personal experience, where people felt heard, understood, and empowered. Being independent allowed me to craft my own approach, focusing on what mattered most: the individual.
This flexibility also allowed me to build personal relationships with my clients. As a business owner, I can take the time to truly connect with each person, guiding them step by step through the process of discovering their personal style and learning how to wear colors that made them feel their absolute best. I listen to their needs, understand their struggles, and customize my services to meet them where they are in their journey.
For me, the benefits of running my own company go far beyond the creative freedom. It’s about making a real, lasting impact on people’s lives. I get to help them unlock the confidence that comes with understanding their colors, their body types, and their personal style. And for my clients, the advantages are clear: they receive a personalized, high-quality experience that is tailored to their specific needs.
I’ve seen firsthand the powerful transformations that can happen when someone discovers the colors that suit them best and gains a clearer understanding of their image. The joy I feel in helping my clients shine is indescribable, and the fact that I’m doing it on my own terms makes it even more meaningful.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Coming from the world of fashion, I’ve always been captivated by creativity, color, and style. As a designer in New York City, I spent my days experimenting with textures, colors, and silhouettes. However, after a while, my husband and I decided to leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and shift our focus to our growing family. We moved to Atlanta, started a new chapter, and embarked on the adventure of raising children.
During this time, I explored new interests and pursued personal growth. Yet, no matter how far I ventured from the fashion world, something continued to tug at me—a deep desire to reconnect with the creativity and self-expression that had once defined my career.
It was during this period of self-discovery that I encountered the concept of color analysis. While I had heard of it before, this time it resonated with me in a completely new way. I realized that my love for style—and for helping others feel confident in their own skin—was still very much alive. My academic background in design was a perfect fit, and I saw an opportunity to bring my passion into a new realm.
I began to study color theory and image consulting in depth, embarked on a new career path, and even traveled to places I had never imagined. I attended workshops and read books on how to best craft a person’s image to reflect their inner strength. With every new technique I learned, my passion for helping others grew. I realized that it wasn’t just about picking the right outfit or color—it was about helping people rediscover their own confidence.
What struck me most was how color was not only an art, but also a science—a powerful tool to help people express their authentic selves and feel their best, rooted in their unique features.
From helping clients discover their best colors to assisting them in refining their personal style, every session feels like a victory. The joy of seeing someone walk away from a session excited about their future and confident in their appearance—this is everything I ever wanted in a career, and more!
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
In my journey as an image consultant, my background in design, along with my academic credentials and training, has been especially helpful in building my credibility—particularly in the early stages of my career. Many clients tell me they feel confident in my advice because they can see that I’ve invested significant time and effort in establishing a solid foundation and acquiring the technical knowledge needed to excel in this field.
However, the true foundation of my reputation lies not just in what I know, but in the results I deliver to my clients. I believe that the best way to build a reputation in any field is by consistently providing exceptional service that speaks for itself. Word of mouth and customer referrals have been crucial in growing my business and solidifying my standing as a trusted image consultant. When clients walk away from a session feeling empowered, confident, and excited about their image, they naturally share that experience with others—and that is the most genuine form of marketing I could ask for.
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
Starting my business was a significant financial leap. At the time, I knew that building a successful business required more than just passion and expertise—it required resources, and I didn’t have a large sum of money waiting for me. But what I did have was determination, the support of my family, and a willingness to invest in my future.
First, I needed to secure the right training to ensure I could offer the highest level of service, and this was no small expense. I remember sitting down with my husband to discuss the future I envisioned. Together, we decided to tap into our family’s savings. It wasn’t an easy decision, especially with the financial responsibilities we already had, but it felt like the only option to fuel this dream. I was determined to make it work, knowing that the money I was putting in would be an investment in the future of my family, my business, and the impact I hoped to make in people’s lives.
After working to build my skill set in color analysis and image consulting, I knew I needed more than knowledge to truly get my business off the ground—I needed materials and high-quality tools. Professional color drapes, color swatches, fabric samples, style guides, and even professional software to ensure my consultations were thorough and polished. I also needed to create a welcoming and inspiring studio space to offer the best possible customer experience. All of this required an investment that, at the time, felt overwhelming.
Even with our savings, there were still gaps in funding. To fill those gaps, I turned to personal credit cards and opened a business credit card with a significant credit limit and no interest for the first year. It was a risky move—one that forced me to take a hard look at my goals and my confidence in my success. I had to believe that the education, tools, and courses I was investing in would eventually pay off in the form of a thriving business.
Of course, there were moments of doubt. There were times when I questioned whether I had made the right choices. But every time I thought about the long-term vision and the people I could help, I reminded myself that the risk was worth it. This wasn’t just a business to me; it was a calling.
Now, when I look back on that time—when I used my family’s savings, credit cards, and all my energy to invest in this dream—I can’t help but feel proud. I created a business that allows me to do what I love, while helping others look and feel their best. And the best part? I did it all with the unwavering support of my family and the belief that I was investing in something that could change lives—not just my own.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.colorenastudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colorenastudio/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorena-romero/
Image Credits
Photography, by Jamika Render and Maria Teresa Romero