Meet Fernanda Vazquez

Tell us about yourself! Where do you live, who are your people, and what was a career you had before House of Colour?

My name is Fernanda Vazquez, and I live in Brooklyn, NY. Originally, I am from Mexico. I was born in Mexico City and grew up moving around between different countries, but I now live in the heart of NYC with my boyfriend and our dog, Buttercup. I own the House of Colour - Downtown Brooklyn.

I started my professional career working in the film industry. I studied Theatre in college and worked as an actor for a short time before I realized I didn’t love the lifestyle, and then transitioned into Film & TV Production. I had a brief stint working as a content creator and independent personal stylist before discovering and joining House of Colour.

How did you first hear about House of Colour?

I discovered color analysis when a subscriber on my YouTube channel asked me to make a video on it. I didn’t know what it was, but I started researching and decided to get it done for myself so I could see what all the hype was about.

During my research, I came across before-and-after photos of several House of Colour stylists on social media. Compared to other companies, the process seemed clear, easy to explain, and the results were undoubtedly better – that’s how I decided to get my own colors done with a personal stylist from House of Colour. There was nobody in NYC at the time, so I traveled to Virginia. 

When did you know you wanted to purchase the franchise?

Immediately after my appointment, color captured my attention and imagination like nothing ever had before. It was all I could think about! I was already styling clients, and I knew I could not, in good faith, continue to suggest that people buy certain items without knowing whether they were in their best colors. The effect was that remarkable! 

I approached House of Colour about letting me train with them, and that’s when I found out it was a franchise. At the time, they were not selling franchises in New York, so it felt like the opportunity wasn't going to be possible.

I happened to be visiting my parents the day I got an email back from the recruitment team letting me know they were open to sell in New York State again. I wasn’t financially ready to make the full investment in the franchise that day, so I thought this would become a “someday” goal. But my dad was the one who encouraged me to go for it and became an investor in what is now House of Colour - Downtown Brooklyn.

What has surprised you about franchise ownership at House of Colour?

How much the franchise has developed! House of Colour looked completely different when I joined four years ago. It’s truly remarkable what the corporate team has accomplished in such a short period of time; it has elevated the brand's stature immensely.

Name one thing you did that contributed to your success when you first launched your House of Colour business?

Setting really clear financial goals. This was never going to be a hobby for me; I knew it needed to generate a reliable income that could maintain my lifestyle, pay for health insurance, etc., etc. Understanding my numbers from the beginning was incredibly helpful; it helped me set my prices correctly, break down revenue goals into the number of bookings I needed to generate, average cart size for my makeup sales, etc. Having that clarity made hitting my goals a question of ‘how’, not ‘if’.

How has working with clients been meaningful to you?

Working with clients is truly everything to me. I get more excited about my clients' a-ha moments and wins than I get about my own. And now I’ve been doing it long enough, and have worked with many clients for so long, that I’ve seen their lives evolve: from getting engaged to having their first kid, career progressions, meeting their daughters, and sometimes the difficult things too … I love that I’m able to support people at every stage. No matter what they’re going through, there is something I can provide that gives them a little spark of joy.

What are your future goals with House of Colour?

My personal goals have changed since I joined, so I’m still figuring out how my ownership of this business will fit into them. What I love about this franchise is that there is no one way to be successful with it. I know that no matter what I choose to do in life, there will probably be a way to make sure House of Colour continues to be a part of my life. 

Anything else you want to add?

When I first decided to join, it felt like I was placing a bet, not on the franchise system, but on myself. I knew that purchasing this franchise was an investment in my own growth, skill set, and potential. My bet paid off, and owning this franchise has given me the confidence to bet on myself again - and I hope the same for you!