Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alyssa Kulesa. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Alyssa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

Three years ago, I was walking to Whole Foods on a warm, sunny day in August. While strolling through the park that separated my apartment from the store, I left my phone in my pocket and decided to observe my surroundings instead of mindlessly scrolling. I saw dogs not-so-patiently waiting for their owners to throw a ball, a group of girls chatting on the hill, and far too many men in plaid. Two guys conversing caught my eye as they walked in the direction I’d just come from. I smiled as I walked past. And if that’s all that had happened, I would have never met my husband.

But on my way back from the store, the guy I’d smiled at before was sitting at the park entrance. As I got closer, he jumped up and started walking toward me. This time with intention. Before I knew it, he was beside me, asking if he could walk with me for a second. I was new to the city and knew few people, so I took the risk and said, “Sure.”

He asked where I was from, saying he thought I might be “Midwest but with an edge.” Impressed with his guess (I’m from the Midwest and definitely have an edgy side), I was curious about him. However, unwilling to take the risk of walking a complete stranger toward my apartment, I asked if he wanted to sit in the park. (Fortunately, the only things I had bought at the store were peanut butter cups and raspberry-lime Spindrift, so nothing was at risk of going bad).

Thirty minutes later, we decided to go on an impromptu date. With my few groceries in tow, we headed to a nearby Mexican restaurant for spicy margaritas.

In May 2023, we got married. And now, we take even bigger risks together, like moving to Spain, but that’s a story for a different day.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve always loved color. When I was little, I remember when Crayola came out with a quiz to test your knowledge of all 120 crayon colors, and I could name and recognize all of them.

I was also the girl who would show up to class on test day dressed up because I knew if I felt good, I would do better on the test.

These quirks collided when I found the world of color analysis and image consulting.

I was about to move to Spain, and my closet was about to shrink from a full, glorious walk-in to a fraction of the size. I started looking at my clothes and realized there were some I felt great in right when I put them on and others that I never wanted to wear, no matter what I tried.

That’s when I started doing more style research, stumbled upon color analysis, and realized that not all colors make us look the same. I quickly discovered why I always wanted to put more lipstick on when wearing pastels–because they’re outside my palette and make me look like a mummified version of myself, whereas wearing deeper, warm colors brings me to life and makes me look younger on the spot.

I couldn’t unsee what I had learned, so I started telling all my friends.

Soon, I became wildly obsessed and became certified as a color analyst. I was fortunate enough to turn this passion into a business.

Now, I help people feel and look their best every single day, starting with the clothes they put on.

My clients have total closet clarity, which gives them unshakeable confidence whenever they step into a room, unafraid to wear color.

I love when clients send me photos of new clothes they’ve invested in or pictures of an outfit they feel radiant in. It’s so rewarding to see someone come to life when their clothes start matching their natural essence.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Oh, unlearning. I love questions on this topic because unlearning has been integral to getting where I am today. In 2015, fresh out of quitting a Ph.D. program, I had to unlearn how to write like an academic quickly. I’d spent years writing boring titles like “The effect of positive relational writing on feelings of equity and relational satisfaction in close voluntary relationships” (yep, that was the actual title of my thesis). But very few people outside the walls of academia want to read anything written in APA style. Rather than continuing to bore myself and potential readers to death, I started practicing creative writing, and everything I wrote became much more enjoyable, readable, and relatable.

Now, I’m constantly working to unlearn conditioned stories about what’s possible. Unlearning is the gift that allows us to remember who we are.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’ve made a career out of helping people pivot–their copy, their communication, their beliefs, and now with the colors they choose to wear and in their closets. Most of the time, when people talk about pivoting, they think about big pivotal moments like moving across the country (or world), switching jobs, walking away from something, etc. I’ve done all of those things. I’ve pivoted from a Ph.D. program to a copywriting career. I’ve pivoted from a copywriting career to a coaching career. I’ve pivoted my company messaging 100 times and probably will 100 more times. I’ve walked away from relationships, and I’ve moved to a new country.

But the pivots I’m most proud of are the ones that happen every single day.

With my clients, I call them micro-pivots. They’re moments like when you’re in conflict with your partner, and you start to notice yourself getting defensive, but instead of lashing out and saying something like, “I can’t believe you think I’d do that,” you say, “I understand you feel that way. I’m curious why you feel like this. Help me understand.” Or a more fun one, the small pivots I make daily to help make my outfit match the essence I want to communicate that day. Maybe I pivot from my standard gold hoop earrings to purple baubles because I want to feel more fun and playful that day.

We often define our lives by the big pivots, but the small ones every day determine where we end up.    

Contact Info:

• Website: https://communicateincolors.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/communicateincolors
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/communicateincolors
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-patmos/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/alyssakulesa
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFtl9fbklbVSoIJg0Bny0A
• Other: Want weekly tips on color, communication, and style? Sign up for my emails here: https://communicateincolors.ck.page/60d2ed6cd5

Image Credits
Laura Morsman Photography