If you’ve ever reached the point in your colour analysis business where you just need an extra pair of hands or eyes, you’re not alone.

It’s a beautiful sign, really. A sign that your business is growing, that your client load is expanding, and that you’ve built something people are responding to. But with that growth comes new decisions. One of the biggest?

Should you bring someone into your business to help with colour analysis?

This is a question that came up recently in my community of stylists and colour consultants. The stylist was feeling stretched and wondering if others had ever brought someone into their business to assist with consultations.

​I loved the question, because I’ve been there myself and I have a few lessons to share from both the successes and the missteps I’ve made.

At one point, my own colour analysis practice was thriving. I had a studio beside a Japanese beauty therapist, and my calendar was booked solid with new and returning clients.

It became clear I couldn’t (and shouldn’t) do it all alone. So I made the leap to bring in help.

The first person I hired was Naomi, a lovely Japanese woman who trained with me through my own colour analysis training program. Having her on board was a game-changer. She was naturally talented and perhaps more importantly willing to learn. Because we had so many Japanese-speaking clients coming through from the neighbouring therapist, she was able to communicate with them in a way I couldn’t. Naomi stayed with me for years and became incredibly skilled at colour analysis before eventually moving back to Japan. It was a brilliant partnership while it lasted.

​But not every story ends as neatly.

The second person I brought in was Simone, an Australian woman who originally started in an admin role. She had a keen interest in colour, and I could see real potential in her. So again, I offered her training and brought her into the colour side of the business.

But Simone never quite developed the confidence to lead sessions on her own. She preferred for me to be present whenever a consultation was happening. That meant she couldn’t take on clients independently, and ultimately, the support I’d hoped for never fully materialized.

So while one collaboration worked out beautifully, the other fell a little flat.

And that’s the first truth I want to share: bringing someone into your business is trial and error. You won’t always get it right the first time but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth doing.

If you’re considering hiring or collaborating with someone to help you deliver your colour analysis services, here’s what I’d advise based on my own journey:

1. Train Them Yourself, If You Can
One of the biggest reasons my collaboration with Naomi worked so well was that she trained with me. She didn’t come in with preconceived ideas or a different method. She learned my way, understood my expectations, and aligned with the quality I wanted my brand to deliver.

This is one of the reasons I created my Certified Online Colour Analysis Expert Program. It allows stylists to confidently understand the basics of seasonal and tonal colour analysis and train others in their method (or build a team of their own), knowing that the fundamentals are solid. If you're bringing someone in, make sure they're trained properly and aligned with your approach, ideally through a program you trust.

2. Enthusiasm Is Key, But So Are Boundaries
You want someone who is excited to work with you and to learn the craft of colour analysis. But you don’t want someone who’s looking to absorb everything they can and then leave to set up their own rival business two doors down.

I’ve seen it happen too often: business owners generously train someone only to find them launching their own brand months later using the very techniques they learned from you.

This isn’t about being overly suspicious—it’s about protecting the business you’ve built. Be mindful of the energy and intentions of the person you're considering bringing in.

3. Use a Clear Contract (Including a Non-Compete Clause)
Even if you’re just “trying someone out” or working on a casual basis, always have a written agreement in place. Outline things like: