We had the good fortune of connecting with Crystal A. Thurber and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Crystal A., can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started my first business of my own when I was in High School- I was a clothing designer and would sew and design prom dresses for my friends. After graduating college with a BA in Fashion Design I found myself in a job I did not like. I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit and realized it was time to start another business. I realized I wanted the freedom that the Entrepreneurial life can give with hard work. I wanted to be able to build my own dream not someone else’s. I wanted the choice to be able to work when I wanted not when someone told me I had to and the freedom to earn unlimited income vs dictated by a job. There have been several businesses in between that one and the one I have now.
Prior to purchasing my House of Colour franchise I had an extremely successful and very large Direct Sales business for 20 years- I taught, trained and mentored tens of thousands of people. There were some changes that company made that drastically changed the company and I chose to retire… but that did not last for long! I knew I wanted to do something completely different and fun. Something to do with my background in Fashion Design and my passion. I love color, clothing and designing and my passion has always been to believe in others before they believe in themselves. Confidence comes from the inside out.
In November of 2020 my mom, sister and myself had our Colors done with House of Colour Kansas City. The experience was so fun and life changing! I was familiar with Colour Analysis and had previously had my colors done as a teenager.. BUT I was blown away by the House of Colour process. I could not believe how in depth and informative it was.. and also the drastic difference of wearing the right colors that compliment your undertones! I knew everyone needed to have their colors done.
2 months later I went back and did a Style Consultation and Advanced Color too. As a design major I was not sure how I would feel about the “STYLE CONSULT” and much to my surprise it was just as much- if not more impactful than that Color! Color and Style together makes shopping simple and fun again! I knew that SO MANY WOMEN needed this .. and It was a perfect way for me to SHOW them how to make their GOD GIVEN beauty SHINE and to help them walk out in a Bold Confidence that comes from the inside out when you KNOW you are wearing your BEST colors! YOu are the star and NOT your outfit!
At my first consultation I inquired about becoming a consultant. After a move to Phoenix and finding a home – one year later I bought my House of Colour franchise. I started my business in a new city and hit the ground running after my extensive training bringing Color to the desert!
ALSO I Had to answered the balance question too! I answered it first and then realized the other one was a better fit.. Here is the balance answer: There is a lot of talk these days about balance. As a business owner of several different businesses over the last 30+ years.. for me it has never been about balance instead it was about priorities. When you own your own business.. you are going to feel and be out of balance many times..there are days that there is no way around long hours and little sleep that is part of the entrepreneurial life. I realized through trial and error when I focused on balance it did not work for me..but when I made sure my priorities were in line that is when the magic happened. In many of my business I had large teams that I led and I always taught them.. write your priorities down in the most important order and then write them on the calendar and work around them. To answer the question above.. it has stayed the same. Once I got my priorities in line I kept them the same, Faith, family and business in that order. There are times that I work more than others..for example when starting a new business… but I love working/creating and growing things and .. it is fun to me so it does not feel like work. I also take vacation getaways where I do not work at all- it is important to recharge your batteries at least twice a year ( I typically do it more than that) My husband also owns his own business and has for 42 years so he gets it-we are on the same page and enjoy our time together.
What should our readers know about your business?
I answered some of this I think in question one (The additional question of Balance that I answered)
House of Colour is a company based in the UK. We have been perfecting our services for over 35 years.(not sure if we need to add this?) At House of Colour Anthem- N Phoenix the 2 main services I offer are comprehensive Personal Color and Style Analysis. Our colour analysis is based on the science of color theory. All of the colors in the world can be found in our 4 color palettes- Winter, Spring, Summer or Autumn.
Did you know that there is a color palette that harmonizes with your skin undertones and will bring out your natural God given beauty? It is fascinating to watch with your own eyes! I use precision dyed drapes to discover which color palette is best for my clients.
Everyone deserves to know their WOW colors! Through the use of Color and Style Analysis I help women and men shine their brightest and walk out in BOLD CONFIDENCE! The Bold Confidence will come from the inside out when you KNOW you are wearing your best colors and style! People will notice and remember YOU not your outfit. You will look more youthful and rested. You will come across more friendly, approachable & authentic. No more guessing when shopping- it becomes a breeze!
With the Colour Analysis process- I use only natural lighting and clients will come in with no makeup. During the service the client will see with their own eyes the changes in their skin- it can be life-changing. Once I get my clients to season.. I will apply our “9o Second Make-Up”. I will then help find their 3 points of red lipstick and then we discover their WOW COLORS! It is important to note that in the before and after photos.. the ONLY difference is Lipstick and WOW colors.
With the Style Analysis process- I will use your body architecture, your personality and your lifestyle to discover a clothing personality that will be perfect for you and feel authentic. A few of the things you will discover is shapes of clothing, necklines, jacket lengths, dress lengths, jewelry shapes, hairstyles and so much more that are best for you!
With my degree in Fashion Design I also give so many tips on finding quality garments and the best places to shop for your budget. Both of these services are one time investments you will use for a lifetime! No one ever regrets getting their Colour or Style Analysis done!
I have gotten where i have today by the grace of God.. He has empowered me and given me so many talents and abilities. I learned long ago from my father- you either do it right or don’t do it at all. For me there is no quitting- I have always strived to outwork anyone I know.. along the way I learned to work smarter. My motto EXCELLENCE IN ALL YOU DO. OR DO EVERYTHING with EXCELLENCE.
Overcoming challenges for me came with ALWAYS having GOALS- those goals including knowing what my PURPOSE was for doing my business. Purpose fuels Passion. Once I had my purpose written down – I would then write my goals out- VERY specific, short term, mid term and long term all with a date and a dollar amount attached to them. Dreams without goals are just a wish. Once you know WHY you are doing something.. the challenge is just an obstacle that you go around or jump over or bust through. Nothing in life worth having is easy.. the greater the effort the greater the reward.
My drive and determination sets me apart- it always has. Part of that comes from my childhood.. my father was in a severe car accident when i was 8- as a result he was brain injured and handicapped and never went back to work. I saw my mom care for him for 40 years.. after watching her faithfulness – it was an encouragement to stay the course and never quit. It shaped who I am today.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
HMMM I have not lived here long… so this is a little tough! I have not experienced a lot since I have just started a new business. One of my favorite places to stay even for a staycation is the JW marriott camelback! We don’t eat out a lot but there are some fun places we have discovered.
We would definitely need to go shopping at keirland commons or Scottsdale Square or even the Scottsdale Fashion Mall.
I would tell them we need to take a 2 day trip up to the Grand Canyon and Sedona.
Cave Creek is one of my favorite places to so see to just walk around the unique Western feel shops and eat outdoors with some live music.
We would go to our favorite Sushi in Peoria of all places! Harumi Sushi!
Take a hot air balloon ride for Sunrise or Sunset.
ANother great place to eat is Wolf and Wren downtown! Delicious!
AND we must take a hike- not sure where- as I have not hiked as much as I would like! But we would definitely hike!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Starting a new business is hard.. and even harder in a city you just moved to and don’t know anyone. First of all a huge thanks to my loving and always supporting husband Mark! He has always believed in me way more than I have in myself! He always says- you can do anything you set your mind to- I have watched you!
In addition, my late father who was the biggest encourager I have ever had, my mom for always listening with no judgement, my sister who always tells me to stop stinking thinking and just do it, one of my lifelong friends and mentors Marcy.. she is the one who believed in me until I believed in myself way back in the day, she always keeps me on the straight and narrow and redirects my focus to my priorities if I get off track! And finally an incredible group of ladies – we all trained together and have continued to stay a huge encouragement to one another – couldn’t have done this without them!
Website: houseofcolour.com/crystalthurber
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houseofcolour_anthem_nphoenix/
Other: Booking Link: https://hocphoenix.as.me/anthem