Meet Shari Braendel

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shari Braendel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shari below.

Hi Shari, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

As a young girl in my teens, my dad—an entrepreneur in sales—introduced me to How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. We’d read it together and talk about the power of connection and the importance of making others feel valued. One principle that stuck with me was his advice to walk into any room and make others feel important by asking them questions. That early lesson shaped the way I show up no matter what situation I find myself.

To this day, I make it a priority to talk to as many people as I can when I enter a space—not just to network, but to ensure others feel seen and heard. It’s a practice rooted in empathy, and it’s helped me build authentic relationships, earn trust, and show up with confidence even in spaces where I may initially feel like I don’t quite belong.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m Shari Braendel, founder and CEO of Style by Color. With roots as one of the earliest certified color analysis experts in the U.S. (starting in the 1980s), I created a company that empowers women to discover their individual beauty and confidence through the science and art of color and style.

At the heart of Style by Color is The Color Code® system, a proprietary method that reveals the top 36 flattering colors for each person, based on skin undertone, eye color, and contrast level.

Whether clients take the Online Color Quiz, meet with a certified consultant, or use tools like digital swatch decks and the “27‑Hanger Closet” system, the goal is the same: confidently build wardrobes that truly honor individual style and beauty.

.Our mission isn’t just fashion—it’s transformation. We train women through the Style by Color Academy: they’re equipped with color-analysis and style expertise, plus the skills to launch their own consulting businesses. To date, hundreds have completed the program—not only across the U.S., but internationally, including places like Saudi Arabia.

In 2019, I launched the Women’s Matter Initiative, offering complimentary “Color Confidence” workshops to women in crisis situations—such as those in rehab, shelter, or recovery programs. The goal is to help them reclaim confidence, dignity, and self-worth through color and personal image

We’ve expanded our offerings for 2025 with exciting updates:

1. The Color Analysis for Hair Professionals Certification: a groundbreaking course that empowers stylists to offer personalized hair-color services rooted in color theory and analysis—helping them stand out in a competitive industry and elevate client outcomes.

2. Our 2025 Summer Trend Bundle: featuring The Style Strategy digital magazine and a pre-recorded Summer Trend Event workshop—covering top trends, styling tips, and how to shop smart with your Color Code in mind

3. Ongoing Color Palette Series, weekly social features, and consultant spotlights—highlighting our vibrant palettes helping women wear confidence one shade at a time.

At its core, what we do is about more than clothes. It’s about helping individuals see themselves in a new light—literally and figuratively—and step into rooms with confidence, clarity, and a sense of being fully seen. Whether through a personal wardrobe makeover, training other women to serve their communities, or serving those recovering from crisis—Style by Color is built to uplift, empower, and equip women to feel beautiful, expressive, and impactful.

If you’re curious about workshops, consulting, or training, I’d love to connect—because real style isn’t just about fashion, it’s about transformation thriving in color.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three qualities that have shaped my journey the most are leadership, kindness, and faith.

Leadership has allowed me to cast vision, build a mission-driven company, and raise up other women to step into their purpose. I’ve learned that true leadership isn’t about being the loudest in the room—it’s about listening, serving, and empowering others to thrive. For anyone beginning their journey, I’d say: start leading right where you are. Whether you’re influencing one person or one hundred, show up with integrity and take ownership of the impact you can make.

Kindness has been just as critical. In business and in life, relationships matter—and people will remember how you made them feel far more than what you said. Kindness builds trust and opens doors that talent alone can’t. My advice? Practice kindness daily, especially in difficult moments. It’s a quiet strength that leaves a lasting legacy.

My faith has been the foundation beneath it all. It has anchored me in hard seasons, given me direction when the path wasn’t clear, and reminded me that my purpose is bigger than just me. For anyone seeking to grow in this area, I’d encourage you to stay spiritually grounded—whatever that looks like for you. Faith helps you walk confidently, even when you’re not sure what’s next.

Together, these three qualities have carried me through challenges, fueled my purpose, and helped me build something that impacts lives. Cultivate them, and you’ll grow not only in what you do, but in who you become along the way.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

They consistently told me I could do anything I set my mind to, and that kind of belief became the foundation of my confidence. They didn’t just say it once—they said it often, and they lived it with me. Anytime I faced a setback or started to question myself, they reminded me: “Don’t quit. Keep going.”

What made it even more powerful was that we didn’t just talk about success—we talked a lot about what it takes to persevere when things get hard, when others might give up. Those conversations shaped how I view challenges even today. Their belief in me gave me the courage to believe in myself—and to keep showing up with determination, even when the path wasn’t easy.

That unwavering support wasn’t just encouraging—it was life-changing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.stylebycolor.com/

Image Credits

Style by Color, LLC has the rights to all these photos.