Helen Smith from Lavendon, Nr Olney previously worked in a five day a week job but crammed it into three days to try and balance it with her family life. A chance introduction to colour and style consultants, House of Colour, changed her life and she has gone from tired, pale, struggling working mother to owning her own franchise for Milton Keynes/ Bedford West as a confident, style and colour consultant, motivating and changing the lives of scores of clients in the area.
Helen Smith formerly had a corporate role as a brand manager, but balancing work and having a family was tough and eventually she took redundancy. She later had another job at the council running the school admissions and transport team but again struggled to be able to prioritise her family’s needs. “I was exhausted trying to balance everything and I wore lots of dark “business” colours in my work life and those had permeated into my home life too. I was often asked “Are you ok? You look worn out.” Whilst struggling with my work life, I decided to do a colour class with House of Colour and I remember looking in the mirror and seeing a tired, pale working mother who was literally transformed when my spring colours were draped on me. I looked bright and alive and couldn’t believe the difference it made. It was amazing!”
“My style day was equally revealing because whilst I knew that I suited more classic styles, my wardrobe was bulging with lots of similar, boring outfits. After learning about my true style personality, I felt able to get rid of the clothes that didn’t flatter me and add new things that created new interest to what I had. It re-energised my love of shopping, something that had become a chore.”
“Those two days made such a difference to me personally – it was the change I had been waiting for. I always knew that at some point in my life I would work for myself and now I wanted everyone to benefit from the confidence boost my colour and style days gave me. Having my own House of Colour franchise gave me freedom and confidence and I love the buzz of seeing my clients transform with their newly gained style and colour knowledge.
“So many clients, women in particular, struggle to find the balance between a successful career and family/home life. I could have chosen to continue along the executive career path with all the trimmings, working long hours and travelling, but missing bringing up my children. The path I chose means I can give my clients a transformational, life-changing experience that is an investment in their confidence and their future whilst still having a wonderful work-life balance. My clients are able to step out of their comfort zone in a safe and secure place and its wonderful to almost watch the lightbulb come on inside of them.”
One of Helen’s client’s, company director Isobel Thompson said: “Most of us want to look our best, and equally most of us know we look better and feel more confident in some clothes rather than others and it is really good to learn why. I also liked the idea of no more expensive wardrobe disasters. My colour day expanded my colour options and put me firmly in pink, which I had been avoiding, not thinking of myself as a girly girl. Following the style day, I now fully embrace the romantic in me. At first I was quite resistant, because dresses were definitely not my thing – until I tried on a gorgeous Phase 8 floaty, swishy dress and I loved it so much that I wouldn’t take it off for ages! Not only do I take all my family and friends to Helen to have their colours done, Helen also comes on a shopping trip twice a year with me! The biggest reward is to always know you have something to wear that will look great and feel comfortable, whatever the occasion!”
