Posted:19-May-2026
Award-winning style and colour consultancy franchisee talks about building a successful business
Sandy Lancaster launched her House of Colour style and colour consultancy franchise in 2018 and has grown it into one of the most commercially successful operations within the network. So much so, that in 2025, Sandy was recognised as a winner of a Great British Franchisee Award.
"I was honoured to be a winner in the Great British Franchisee Awards 2025. As the only franchise of its kind in our industry, it was a privilege to showcase the transformative impact of House of Colour and highlight the strength of our growing community."
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you were doing prior to buying your House of Colour franchise?
Before joining House of Colour, the world’s leading style and colour consultancy, I spent many years in senior commercial and client-facing roles, working closely with people and understanding how confidence, communication and personal presentation can influence both personal and professional success. I’d always loved fashion and style, but I was also looking for a business that offered flexibility, creativity and genuine purpose.
Can you also tell us about your House of Colour franchise?
I launched my House of Colour franchise in West London because I could immediately see the impact the experience had on people. It’s far more than fashion or makeup - it’s about confidence, identity and helping clients feel like the best version of themselves. My business now includes colour analysis, personal styling, wardrobe edits, shopping appointments and workshops, alongside mentoring other franchisees within the network.
Why did you go down the franchise route? What made you choose the personal styling and colour industry? And why a House of Colour franchise?
The franchise route appealed to me because it offered the opportunity to build my own business while benefiting from an established brand, proven systems and a strong support network. I wanted the independence of running my own business, but without starting entirely from scratch.
I chose the personal styling and colour industry because I’d experienced first-hand how transformative it can be. When people discover the colours and styles that truly suit them, it changes not only how they look but how they feel. Confidence grows very quickly when people feel comfortable and authentic in themselves.
House of Colour stood out because of the professionalism of the brand, the quality of the training and the strong sense of community within the franchise network. The business values aligned very closely with my own.
How did you raise the finance?
I funded the business through personal investment. One of the advantages of a service-led franchise like House of Colour is that the start-up costs are relatively manageable compared with many other franchise opportunities, while still offering strong earning potential and flexibility.
What training and support did you receive initially and ongoing?
The initial training was incredibly comprehensive and gave me a strong foundation in colour analysis, styling and client experience. What has impressed me most, though, is the ongoing support available within the franchise network.
There is continual professional development, mentoring, collaboration and knowledge sharing across the business. One of the reasons I value the franchise model so highly is that you never feel like you are building the business alone.
How would you describe your day-to-day role as a franchisee
No two days are ever the same, which is one of the things I love most about the business.
My role includes working with clients one-to-one, running colour and styling appointments, creating content for social media or press, speaking at events, connecting with likeminded business owners at networking events, collaborating with brands and mentoring other franchisees. There is also the operational side of running a business - marketing, planning and client relationships.
At the heart of everything is helping people feel more confident in themselves.
What challenges have you had to overcome? And what are your biggest successes?
Like many business owners, one of the biggest challenges was building visibility and confidence in the early stages while wearing every hat within the business. Growing a personal brand takes consistency and resilience.
In terms of successes, I’m incredibly proud to have become the top-performing House of Colour franchise in the UK and Rest of World for the last 2 years. I’ve also had the opportunity to collaborate with national brands, present to large corporate audiences and contribute to publications including Cosmopolitan Magazine, The Times, The Telegraph, Good Housekeeping and Woman & Home.
Winning a Great British Franchisee Award was a huge honour and a very proud milestone.
Has becoming a franchisee changed your life?
Owning a franchise has given me the opportunity to build a successful business that reflects my personality, values and strengths while also creating flexibility around family life.
It has also introduced me to an incredibly supportive network of women and entrepreneurs. I’ve grown enormously in confidence since starting the business, not only professionally but personally too.
How do you achieve a work-life balance?
Like most business owners, work-life balance is an ongoing balancing act rather than something that is ever perfectly achieved.
What helps is that I genuinely love what I do, so work rarely feels draining in the traditional sense. However, I’ve also learned the importance of boundaries, prioritising downtime and creating space away from the business.
Flexibility was one of the reasons I chose franchising and it has allowed me to build a career that works around both my ambitions and my family life.
How do you keep morale high amongst your staff?
Although much of my business is client-facing and relationship-led, collaboration and community are incredibly important to me. I believe people thrive when they feel valued, trusted and recognised.
I always try to create a positive and supportive environment where successes are celebrated and people feel encouraged to contribute ideas and grow in confidence.
Can you tell us about any community involvement?
Community is a huge part of my business. I regularly collaborate with local businesses, female-led brands and professional networks across West London.
I’ve delivered talks and workshops for corporate groups, including presentations for female leaders and professional organisations, often focusing on confidence, personal branding and visibility.
I’m also passionate about mentoring other franchisees and supporting women in business more broadly.
What is the most invaluable piece of advice you could give someone looking to buy their first franchise?
The advice I'd give to anyone is do your research thoroughly, but also trust your instincts about the people and culture behind the brand.
A franchise can provide an incredible framework for success, but you still need passion, resilience and a willingness to put yourself out there. Choose a business you genuinely believe in because that authenticity becomes a huge part of your long-term success.
In your opinion, what makes a successful franchisee?
A successful franchisee combines consistency, resilience and coachability with strong relationship-building skills.
The people who do particularly well are usually those who fully embrace the brand while also bringing their own personality and strengths to the business. Success rarely happens overnight, so persistence and self-belief are essential.
What are your plans for the future?
I’d like to continue growing the business through speaking opportunities, media work, collaborations and mentoring within the franchise network.
I’m also passionate about helping more women and men understand the impact that colour and style can have on confidence and visibility, particularly in professional environments.
If you had to do it all again, what would you do differently?
If I had to do it all again, I’d back myself sooner.
In the early days, I think many business owners spend time waiting to feel “ready” before putting themselves forward for opportunities, whether that’s speaking events, media, collaborations or growth plans. Looking back, some of the biggest opportunities came from saying yes before I felt completely prepared.
I’d also have invested earlier in support and networking/connecting. Running any business can feel lonely at times and having the right people around you makes an enormous difference, not only commercially but personally too.
That said, every challenge has shaped the business I have today, so I wouldn’t change the journey itself - just the amount of time I spent doubting whether I was capable of bigger things.
Interested and want to know more about House of Colour?
The House of Colour profile outlines all aspects of their franchise opportunity and allows you to contact them for further information or to ask a question.
