Today we’d like to introduce you to Elaine Stoltz
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
After a fulfilling career as a computer programmer and raising my children as a stay-at-home mother, I found myself at a crossroads during my midlife. With a background in education (BS in Mathematics), I was unsure of my next step, but I knew I needed to find a new passion. Seeking clarity, I turned to the Johnson O’Connor Research Foundation to explore my natural aptitudes. That test changed everything. It revealed that I possessed exceptional strengths in visual acuity, three-dimensional perception, design, memory of design, and color discrimination—skills I hadn’t fully recognized in myself.
They suggested fields like architecture, but I knew I needed to work directly with people. Reflecting on my upbringing—my father being an engineer and my mother teaching high school tailoring—I realized I had a deep connection to clothing and design. Growing up making my own clothes, I decided to blend my skills and passion by becoming a personal image consultant, or as I like to call it, “an architect of the body.”
In 1989, when I launched my business, the image consulting industry was still in its infancy. I joined the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) as a charter member to build connections and gain visibility in a field where my main competition was simply a lack of awareness. Over the years, I served as International Treasurer, President, and VP of Certification within the organization, continuously honing my skills and expertise. I earned my certifications as a CIP (Certified Image Professional) and later as a CIM (Certified Image Master), becoming one of only 22 CIMs in the world.
After 35 years, my passion for helping clients look and feel their best is stronger than ever. Today, I specialize in custom color analysis, body style analysis, and cosmetic makeovers—the areas I truly love. Early on, my clients began asking for advice on makeup, so I introduced a small selection of cosmetics. That part of my business grew into a line of 400 items, including skincare products, providing a steady stream of repeat business and financial stability.
My studio, Stoltz Image, is located in the Heritage Square Shopping Center on S. Hulen Street across from Hulen Mall in Fort Worth, TX. I continue to work with personal clients daily and, for the past 20 years, have been teaching others how to become successful image consultants. It’s a journey I’m still passionate about every single day.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of my greatest challenges has been the public’s general lack of awareness of personal image consulting as a service. Many people simply don’t know it exists, which has made marketing my biggest hurdle. Without a degree in business or formal training in marketing, I’ve had to learn through experience. Over time, I’ve come to realize that success isn’t necessarily about being the most skilled—it’s about being the best at marketing. This is true not just for me, but even for the students I’ve trained.
I see it clearly in the rise of color analysis consultants today. Many rely on Seasonal Color Analysis, which is limiting compared to my more precise “Custom Color Analysis,” but the general public gravitates toward the trends—they want to “know their season.” Despite the superior quality of my approach, it’s often the best marketers who capture the public’s attention.
Marketing has changed drastically over the past 35 years. We started with postal mail, then moved to websites, and now everything is about social media. Looking back, I realize I should have invested much more in marketing earlier on. It’s become clear that I can’t get my message out there alone—I need help to effectively reach my audience.
I’m curious to know how you found me.
Financially, my business grew year after year until the 2008 economic downturn hit. Since image consulting is a luxury service, I felt the impact sharply. It’s been a slow recovery, but I’m grateful that I’ve been able to rebuild.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I consider myself an artist, and my medium is fabric color swatches. I create beautiful, personalized color fans for my clients using fabrics that flatter their unique coloring. With my high visual acuity, I can discern the subtle nuances of color that many might overlook. Each person has a distinct combination of eye, hair, and skin tones, and by analyzing these elements, I determine their overall color properties: temperature, value, and intensity.
When I test over 1,000 fabric swatches, I carefully assess each one to see whether it enhances the client’s natural coloring. Only the best shades make it into their personal fabric fan, which contains over 100 fabulous colors that form their unique “color personality” or “color expression.” I advise my clients to always lay the entire fan on a garment. If their eye moves effortlessly from the fan to the garment and back again, they’ve found a perfect color.
My custom color analysis is a method that sets me apart. While I was initially trained in a system like Seasonal Color Analysis 35 years ago, I quickly realized that this approach didn’t always provide my clients with their most flattering colors. I wanted the flexibility to take colors from different seasons, so I sought out training in the custom method. For the past 34 years, I’ve been offering this tailored, personalized approach to color analysis, ensuring my clients look their absolute best.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
What was I like as a child? I was a shy girl who moved a lot—attending 11 different schools. My family had limited financial resources, so I learned to be frugal early on, a habit that has stayed with me throughout my life. In many ways, I’m still an introvert. While I’ve gained confidence since starting my business, selling myself has always been difficult. Social situations can be a challenge for me, but when it comes to talking about my expertise, I could go on for days.
Being frugal has been a double-edged sword. It helped me manage resources wisely, but it also made it difficult to invest heavily in marketing throughout my career—a decision I now see might have held my business back at times.
Looking back, I realize that my visual acuity was apparent early on. In the year I took geometry, I received the Outstanding Mathematics Award, a recognition that affirmed my aptitude for design and spatial awareness. In addition to excelling academically, I played sports in high school, and to this day, I love playing tennis and golf.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://stoltzimage.com
- Instagram: stoltzimage
- Facebook: stoltzimage
- Youtube: stoltz image consulting
