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Meet Lynn Ishikawa our America’s Color Consultants -Ashburn, VA franchise owner

Lynn Ishikawa serves Loudoun county, Virginia including Leesburg, Ashburn and beyond. Contact her at 703-594-7868 (call or text), email: lynn@ashburncolorconsultants.com

Q:  Tell us a little about your background:

A:  I’ve worked in the Hospital and Healthcare IT industry for 20+ years but always had a penchant for helping friends & family pick colors for their homes and offices.  So when the pandemic hit, I decided to venture into the world of paint color to see if I could possibly find a second career within the design industry.  I’ve actually found my calling by helping clients discuss, explore, analyze and select the perfect paint colors for their homes!

Q:  So you went from a stable and comfortable job and started a whole new career?

A:  Yes, I took a leap of faith to launch this new (& very different!)  business and to figure out what it takes to own my own franchise and be self-employed. 

Q:  What is the one thing you believe firmly in when it comes to color?

A:  One should not make color decisions in isolation!  I will always inquire about other elements in a project including flooring, cabinets, countertops, backsplashes, furniture, fabric, art, décor & lighting and then guide clients in a direction they’re comfortable with.  

Q:  What’s your most favorite part of the process?

A:   There are so many… I enjoy facilitating the dialogue between a couple who may happen to disagree on what color to choose and educating clients on color pigments, pros & cons of different paint sheens, drying vs. curing etc.    I love it when a client chooses their favorite color in a dramatic shade to use in their office or powder room.  And I especially like it when they contact me afterwards to let me know the job is (finally) done and they send in pictures of the finished project.

Q:  What kind of feedback have your clients given you?

A:  I have the best clients!  They’re so thankful and tell me how much they appreciate me helping them to feel confident in their decisions and that their new room colors inspire them to live & work authentically!

Q:  Any advice for someone who isn’t sure about what colors to use?

A:  Everyone deserves to be happy and enjoy the space they live and/or work in by using color! Build trust in yourself and the process!  You can create the space you love by stepping through any fear of color you may have. 

Q:  Can you share a recent project with us?

A:  Yes!  This home in Sterling needed some TLC after having been rented out for 2 decades.  The homeowners needed my help to transform the exterior colors to make it their own while at the same time still fit in with the surrounding neighborhood.  They knew that they wanted a  ‘green-brown-neutral’  overall color scheme to be in harmony with the mature trees on their property, and just needed help refining their choices and then deciding where to utilize each color. After a few iterations and plan options, this is what they ultimately decided on and are very happy with the results!

Exterior Before

Paint colors used:

  • SW 7748 Green Earth: All siding, garage doors and foundation on the back and sides
  • SW 7738 Cargo Pants: Brick front
  • SW 7563 Restful White: All window trim & soffits
  • SW 7048 Urbane Bronze: All shutters, trim around garage doors, front & storm door
  • SW 3024 River Birch:  Deck

Products used by Painting Contractor:

  • Sherwin-Williams Super Deck Solid Stain in SW 3024 River Birch
  • Trim/doors/shutters: Sherwin-Williams Duration in Gloss
  • Siding: Sherwin-Williams Emerald Rain Refresh in Satin
  • Brick: Sherwin-Williams Duration in Flat
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Ready for Retirement, But Still Want to “Work”?

Many people want to retire but the desire to stay connected to the working world (and their fear of boredom!), keeps them from doing so. A part-time lifestyle business that is flexible but also exercises the “creative” muscle can make the transition to “retirement” a colorful, satisfying one. A paint color consulting business like those offered in franchise by America’s Color Consultants is one such lifestyle business.  The experience and interpersonal skills honed in the traditional business world transfer seamlessly to a new venture that is rewarding on several  levels. The communication skills developed over years in any profession combined with a natural “eye for color” and design can lead to success as a paint color consultant.

Work from home, America’s Color Consultants bring all the paint color choices to their clients.

The home-based business can start as a part-time, even just a weekend pursuit, but as the client base grows, it can become full-time, if desired. Flexibility and the lack of outside pressure are hallmarks of a lifestyle business. America’s Color Consultants franchisees include women who have become full-time paint color consultants, those who are retired and enjoy adding to their financial security, and those who plan to retire in the next 10 years and are building their base of customers on a part-time basis. Training and ongoing support by the franchise founders is provided to all franchisees.

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America’s Color Consultants Collection of Real Life Paint Colors

From Left to right: Bohemian Lace (HGSW-4052); White Diamond (BM-OC-61); Pure White (SW-7005); Alabaster (SW 7008).
From Left to right: Mindful Gray (SW-7016); Revere Pewter (BM-HC-172); Classic Gray (BM-OC-23); Collingwood (BM-OC-28).
From Left to right: Antique Glass (BM-CSP-695); Sea Salt (SW 6204); Borrowed Light (Farrow & Ball); Aleutian (SW 624l).
From Left to right: Full Moon (SW 6679); Napery (SW 6388); Behr P270-2 September Morning; Kilim Beige (SW 6106).
From Left to right: Urbane Bronze (SW 7048); Grizzle Gray (SW-7068); Stargazer (SW-9635); Lichen (Farrow & Ball). 
From Left to right: First Light (BM 2102-70); In Bloom (Magnolia), Dune Grass (BM 492); Behr RD-W14 Aria Ivory.

Sherwin-William paints are indicated as SW, and Benjamin-Moore as BM. 

Happy New Year!  It’s that time when all the new paint “colors of the year” have been revealed.  And there is a hue for everyone!  There are soft, muted colors, colors born in nature, bold colors, and dark, moody colors.  You can easily Google “Paint Colors of the Year 2021” and find links (and lengthy tomes) from all the popular paint manufacturers.  Some of these colors will prove to be trendy – lasting 4-8 years in popularity, and several will prove to be a fad – out of favor in just a year or two. 

Many of the shades you see among the major players were developed in coordination with the home decor and furnishings industry several years ago.  That’s why you find lots of items that “match” among those manufacturers in any given year.  The past several years have seen the continuation of the neutrals trend with the current favorite, gray, now moving from the cooler shades toward the warmer ones being referred to as “greiges”.

America’s Color Consultants often work with people who have had their current furnishings from “a few”  to “many” years and more often than not, want a refresh as opposed to a total home redo.  Consequently, we are working with fabrics and colors that are not currently “on trend.”

When a client wants a more “modern” color (currently meaning gray) we see which of the beautiful neutrals on the market will work best with their rugs, drapes, furniture, light sources, etc. Because grays are actually black and white paints tinted with color, there is a gray shade of every color. 

Over the past 15 years ACC has consulted hundreds of times with homeowners and small businesses and enjoyed the insights of national paint manufacturers and local paint stores, realtors and home owners. We have put together our first ACC Collection of Real Life Favorite Paint Colors (ours and our clients!).  A few are personal favorites and colors we would love to spec for someone with bold ambitions; others have proven to be very popular for those planning to sell their properties in a few years; changing from a bright to a neutral; and several are those colors that have proven time again to be both popular and tried and true for clients on the east and west coasts. 

Color is SO subjective and there are many factors that are considered when searching for a new paint color.  We never push our own personal preferences, but when asked we certainly offer them! Our job, of course, is to educate our clients, guide the process, and assist in identifying the color that makes them say “YES – that’s it!”  Experience, product knowledge and industry familiarity make us a valuable tool in your home improvement arsenal!

America’s Color Consultants Real Life Color of 2021 is Agreeable Gray (SW 7029).

While the name of this shade may elicit a yawn, and suggests it is neutral to the point of non-existence, nothing could be further from the truth, in our opinion.

This versatile shade of greige is happy to play with everyone.  A medium light shade, it has an Light Reflective Value of 60, so it reflects a fair amount of light, but won’t wash out, and looks great with white or natural wood trim.  It works well in any room with any furniture style and loves complementary earth tones. It can stand up to bold accent colors, too. It can comfortably be used in one room or the entire house. It has been a popular choice for all these reasons for the past 10 years with our clients and shows no sign of slowing down any time soon.

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The Age of Creativity

Going into a new decade, I am observing a strong movement towards “creativity”.

We are living in the Modern Era, which has included the Space Age and the Dot Com era, both based on science and technology. During the last 20 years I feel the Arts have been disregarded. Five years ago a guidance counselor at my son’s high school told him there was no point in taking an art class, because there are no jobs in art.  I was horrified!  Everything around us is, was or will be created by an artist:  the computer you use, the car you drive, and even the label on the can of tomatoes you buy, all were designed by an artist.

Lately we are beginning to recognize this creativity. You can see it all around you. Paint colors for homes are no longer just shades of white or beige.  Paint manufacturers are putting more time and money into promoting paint colors:  everyone has a “Color of the Year.”  We are seeking out more creative and unique products for our homes. Food products are more creative in stores,  and presentation, in addition to taste, is an important element at restaurants.

In our era of shrinking job stability and stagnant wages, people are finding ways to generate additional income through their creativity. A “side hustle” is a common second or even third job. Creative sites such Etsy.com offer unique creations such as this Starry Night Birdhouse or Fantasy Hoof Boots . Visit your local farmers market and you will see that we are even becoming more creative in our local food products such as Immortal Mountain Chocolates.

If you have a creative urge, but don’t know where to start, a subscription to a site like mybluprint.com might be the answer.  With on-line tutorials in everything from quilting and photography, to jewelry making and cake decorating, it is a fun way to exercise your creative muscles.  Perhaps you caught the competition “Making It” hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman.  The goal of the show was simple:  to encourage everyone to “Make It”!  It was a “Project Runway”-styled show for crafts people with different skills and backgrounds in which the makers were given projects to create each week.  The variety of creative skills and imagination on display was staggering:  both impressive and inspiring.

Why all this creativity? Perhaps it is the resurgence of concepts such as Ikigai that are driving this new age of creativity. This Japanese concept means “a reason for being.” The word “ikigai” is usually used to indicate the source of value in one’s life or the things that make one’s life worthwhile, the word translated to English roughly means “thing that you live for” or “the reason for which you wake up in the morning.” Read more at en.wikipedia.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

America’s Color Consultants franchise model fits perfectly into this new trend. We offer a home-based business which you can pursue part time as your “side hustle” by adding creativity back into your life. A great way to start the next decade.

 

 

 

 

 

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Five Franchising Misconceptions

Misconceptions 1- Franchises discourage creativity/freedom

While franchises create the basic framework for a business, that doesn’t mean they would micromanage all decisions that the franchisee makes.  In fact, most of the day to day dealings are up to the franchise owner, including who they hire/fire, where they advertise, what events they host, or any other similar details. The guidelines put in place by the franchise aren’t there just to tell people what to do – they’re tried and proven methods for success. Many of the guidelines are put in place to maintain the franchise brand.

Misconceptions 2- Franchises are too expensive

While the startup costs for certain franchises can be expensive – even exorbitant – that doesn’t mean all of them are: the price is much less if you’re operating a home- or service-based franchise rather than opening a chain restaurant, for example. Besides, the most common occurrence in franchising is a one-time franchise fee which is used to set-up and train the new franchisee. An additional royalty paid to the franchisor is also required. Royalties support the cost of additional back office services provided for the franchisee.

Misconceptions 3- Franchises are not small businesses

Most people want to support small businesses over big ones, and that’s great! Support the local businesses run by people in the community. However, that often does include franchises- just because there’s a bigger corporation involved farther back in the start of the company, doesn’t mean the local chapter of it isn’t owned by a mom and pop couple who wanted some support starting out.

Misconceptions 4- Franchising only applies to fast food

This is patently untrue. While the most visible franchises out there are fast food restaurants like McDonalds and Dairy Queen, that doesn’t mean every franchise is built from milkshakes and French fries. There are pest control, house cleaning and even doggie day care franchises. If the business in question is a chain, then the chances are that it may also be a franchise.

Misconceptions 5- Having a franchise will instantly make you rich

In many ways, being a part of a franchise is a lot like taking a short cut in building your business. A lot of the trickier parts are already set up from you, and there is built in support and ways to make it work, but it doesn’t mean every franchise location is successful. It takes hard work and determination to make a business successful, even if you have a franchise backing you up. Are you ready to put in the work?

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2019 Color Of The Year

PPG Paints – The Power of Nature “The restorative power of nature is important in society now more than ever,” explains Dee Schlotter, PPG senior color marketing manager. “Night Watch” (PPG1145-7) is about bringing the healing power from the outdoors into your home through color. The dark green hue pulls our memories of natural environments to the surface to recreate the calming, invigorating euphoria we feel when in nature.”

Behr – EMBRACING REIMAGINATION – The 2019 Behr Color of the Year, Blueprint S470-5, is an honest, approachable color that conjures up the blueprints that builders rely on to bring architectural designs to life. Blueprint creates a space where you can build your own reimagined life–where awareness of what we want to build for ourselves can transform into action.

Benjamin Moore – Calm, composed and effortlessly sophisticated, Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year 2019, Metropolitan AF-690, exudes glamour, beauty and balance. Metropolitan AF-690 is supported by Color Trends 2019, a coordinating palette of 15 harmonious hues.

Sherwin Williams – A warm terracotta color with ancient, elemental roots. SW 7701 Cavern Clay is a nod to midcentury modern style, but with the soul of the American Southwest, which together creates a desert modern aesthetic.

Dunn-Edwards – has announced its 2019 Color of the Year – Spice of Life – a dark, browned, fire brick red with orange undertones. “Spice of Life is an outgoing, confident hue that adds drama and stimulates the senses,” explained Sara McLean, color expert and stylist for Dunn-Edwards. “It’s a celebration of what makes life interesting and exciting. Spice of Life makes a bold statement with a melding of diverse and global cultural influences.”

Pantone – Vibrant, yet mellow PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral embraces us with warmth and nourishment to provide comfort and buoyancy in our continually shifting environment.

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Becoming A Color Consultant

susan

I was recently asked by a high school student –

“How did you know you wanted to be a color consultant?”

I was just a little embarrassed to answer, “I didn’t!”

Life takes you down many roads and I was always one to “go with the flow.” One job lead me to another to another… .

I have always been artsy-fartsy. But a horrible art teacher in high school convinced me my talent was subpar and – at the time – I believed him, I guess. I did nothing in the field for 40 years! Of course I tastefully decorated my and my friends’ apartments, and also became a prolific DIYer, but never again played with a color wheel.

Until 10 years ago.

A neighbor with whom I shared a passion for home improvement projects suggested we turn our interest and expertise in that booming industry into a consulting business of sorts. We both had the backgrounds – she was a graphic designer and DIYer and I, a self-taught renovation product specialist. Over several months, we narrowed our focus to paint color selection. In our neighborhood, it was a perfect fit. People were redoing/adding on to their homes and needed help with color selections that would tie the whole house together.

I had recognized that I had a natural talent for color/lighting and mood – the psychology of color – and my years as a public relations specialist made me confident that I could express to my clients “why” a specific color worked for them.

Fast forward 10 years and I now enjoy using my creativity and artistic talents every day. We even refined our business model into a franchise opportunity for others with a similar desire to utilize their artistic skills. Sometimes I think “what if” I had been encouraged by that teacher long ago, and also – why the heck did I even listen to him?! But it’s never too late to recognize your talent – and combine it with your own life experiences – and make a go of it as a business!

If this story resonates with you and you too have an eye for color, maybe paint color consulting is for you. Join us! Check out americascolorconsultants.com/franchise for more information, or call me personally to compare notes (703-362-3131).

Susan Mintz, Co-Founder, America’s Color Consultants

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Your Top 3 Color Consultant Franchise Questions Answered

Matter Note Duplicate Request Question Mark

We get a lot of emails and phone calls about what it means to own an America’s Color Consultants franchise and how to get started. Here are the top three questions we get from those of you looking to supplement your household income with a part-time job, change your full-time career, or give your design degree a competitive (and potentially lucrative) edge.

What does an America’s Color Consultant do?

Think of an America’s Color Consultant as the America’s approachable interior designer; all the color theory, lighting, and home decor experience coupled with the ability to help homeowners get the most out of what they currently have. Our consultants use their experience and expertise to identify what colors their clients are attracted to, what colors would make the best use of the available space and light, and what colors would bring out the best of their home’s features and furnishings.

Why would someone hire a paint color consultant?

Anyone who has ever attempted to pick out the perfect paint sample knows how much time, money, and energy goes into finding the right color, especially if the color isn’t right after it goes on. America’s Color Consultants remove the stress and mess of paint samples and help mediate color disagreements when couples don’t see eye to eye.

“The home is a crucial part of a person’s identity,” said Florence Jones, co-founder of America’s Color Consultants. “Once you find a color that resonates in a space, it can go a long way to making everyone feel like they belong there.”

What does it take to be a franchise owner?

While there are franchise costs associated with the established branding, marketing, and training, the most important part of being an America’s Color Consultant franchise owner is the passion for home decor, color, customer service, and personal success. Like any entrepreneurial endeavor, you’ll get out of it what you put into it in terms of marketing, customer service, word-of-mouth referrals, passion, and elbow grease.

Our franchise owners enjoy our owner-operated, home-based business model that has the freedom and flexibility without being a traditional brick-and-mortar storefront. “One of the best parts of being part of this brand is that all of us are self-employed, but we don’t work alone,” adds Jones. “We see each other as partners who promote each other, help each other and the industry.”

Have more questions? We have more answers! Click here to get started or stop by our booth at the Women Empower Expo on May 27th, 2017 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

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Why Become an America’s Color Consultant

summer-sun-yellow-photography

Transition Time

Summer is ending but fall is coming. Along with the cooler weather fall brings, it’s also a transition time. Summer vacations and summer camps end, and kids go back to school. It doesn’t just have to be a transition for them, it can also be one for the stay at home parent. With the kids back in school, having a job with flexible hours is a great benefit. America’s Color Consultants (ACC) offers just that with our home based business model. Florence and Susan understand the importance of having quality time with your family, but also still wanting to work. Although that may seem impossible, it’s not. With an America’s Color Consulting franchise you can work while the kids are in school and still be on time to pick them up from the bus stop. If you are a mom or dad looking for a flexible work schedule, and have an eye for color ACC may be for you. To learn more about how ACC got started please go to our website  http://www.americascolorconsultants.com/story

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Why Become an America’s Color Consultant

The Best of Both Worlds

computer w_coffee

“Every job will demand some sacrifice. The key is to avoid unnecessary sacrifice.” — Sheryl Sandberg, Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead

America’s Color Consultant (ACC) was designed for franchisees to work as much as they can depending on their life and schedule. It’s great for moms who want to stay connected to the working world, while still having time to spend with their children. It is also great for those who only want to work part-time due to other obligations. You should not have to choose between spending time with your family and work, when you could do both. ACC always puts family first. America’s Color Consultants, co-founders Florence Jones and Susan Mintz understand these things and are always available to assist, motivate and emotionally support franchisees as they move along their colorful journey!

www.americascolorconsultants.com