Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Kim.
Hi Michelle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve always seen myself as a creative person. Growing up, I was constantly in some kind of art class whether it was at school or through a local community program. My parents saw how much I loved drawing and designing in the studio, so they always looked for ways to help me explore and grow in that area. In my elementary school yearbook, there’s a baby photo of me with the caption “fashion designer” because that’s what I said I wanted to be when I grew up.
But as I got older and started thinking about college, I began to see art as something less practical. At the time, it didn’t feel like a stable or “safe” career option. I didn’t know many people pursuing creative paths, and outside of my art teachers, I didn’t have role models who were working artists or designers. Surrounded by people pursuing more traditional careers, I decided to minor in Studio Art and major in Childhood Education which is something that still aligned with my love for creativity and working with children. I’d spent many summers teaching at camps, tutoring, and teaching Korean at Korean school, so the path felt familiar and meaningful.
After graduating, I taught Kindergarten during the height of the COVID pandemic. It was an incredibly formative experience not just as a first-year teacher, but as an artist, too. Remote and hybrid learning pushed me to get creative every day. I wanted my students’ first year of school to feel magical, not just educational. That meant focusing on creating memorable experiences, nurturing friendships, and helping them build a genuine love of learning. I really loved that part of teaching.
Eventually, I transitioned into a recruiting role, which helped me realize just how much I missed being creative. That position was a valuable stepping stone, because it gave me the space and motivation to seek out opportunities that truly aligned with my gifts. For the first time, I wasn’t choosing the safest or most stable path—I was choosing something that spoke to my unique character. I began talking to entrepreneurial friends who encouraged me to explore new ideas, even if they felt uncertain.
In July 2024, I flew to Korea and took a professional personal color course. After getting certified, I bought all the supplies and started practicing right away with friends. That led to the soft launch of *Nae Color Studio* in September 2024 and I’ve been working as a personal color consultant ever since!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Honestly, I’ve been so surprised and incredibly grateful by the positive responses and growing demand for Nae Color’s services. Overall, things have gone pretty smoothly, but I’d say the biggest challenges weren’t logistical but rather personal. A lot of the growth I’ve experienced has come from learning to adjust mentally and emotionally.
One of the biggest hurdles for me was social media. I never saw myself as someone who would be active on platforms like Instagram or TikTok. The idea of creating content, especially content that showed my face, felt really overwhelming. At first, I thought I could simply post for a few months to get the word out, and even then, I seriously considered only sharing faceless content. When I shared these thoughts with close friends, they encouraged me to dig deeper and ask myself: *Why don’t I want to put myself out there?* Was it fear of judgment? Of negative comments? That question really stayed with me. It prompted some much-needed self-reflection and helped me recognize a few internal barriers I hadn’t fully acknowledged until then.
What helped me the most was hearing the stories of other small business owners and creators, especially those who were open about their hesitations and how they slowly built their confidence online. As I began posting reels that included my face, I noticed that it made a difference in how people connected with me. They saw me as a real person and someone approachable and trustworthy. This helped build a bridge between me and potential clients.
Now, when I ask clients what made them want to book with Nae Color, many mention my reels and the warmth and friendliness they felt through my content. That’s been so affirming. It’s changed how I view social media—not as something intimidating or superficial, but as a really powerful way to create genuine connection, build trust, and even fulfill dreams!
We’ve been impressed with Nae Color Studio, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As a personal color consultant at Nae Color Studio, I help clients discover and apply colors that highlight, balance, and complement their natural features. By combining science-based color theory with an understanding of each client’s unique physical characteristics, I guide them toward reconnecting with their most harmonious and authentic design using colors, textures, patterns, and other styling elements. At the heart of it all, my goal is to help people find more joy in how they’re designed through the lens of personal color analysis.
Since I completed my personal color training in Korea, I incorporate both the PCCS and KS tone systems in my consultations. These are widely used frameworks in Korea and Japan, and I’ve found that using both gives a more nuanced and well-rounded analysis for each client, especially Asian ethnic groups. I also bring in Korean influences by referencing Korean celebrities, introducing Korean-inspired fashion, and recommending K-beauty products.
With my background in teaching and art, I focus on making each session highly visual, clear, and personalized. I explain concepts in an easy-to-understand way, using visuals to bring each point to life. Many clients have shared how much they appreciate the warm, friendly atmosphere at Nae Color Studio, the thoughtful way I walk them through their results, and the detailed resources they receive afterwards—which include a custom summary of their analysis, a PDF outlining their physical characteristics, and a physical card with their personalized color palette!
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I’m really looking forward to continuing to teach and learn more about personal color analysis—not just for myself, but so I can keep giving my clients the best experience possible. It’s been so encouraging to see how much the business has grown in less than a year, and it makes me want to stay even more present and intentional as things continue to develop.
If you want to keep up with the journey or see what I’m working on, feel free to follow along on my Instagram @nae_color!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://naecolor.univer.se/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nae_color/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@naecolor
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@nae_color
Image Credits
Diana Sy Photo
