Chapter 32: Our 1st Year in Business.

Welcome to the 32nd edition of Behind The Drapes, your exclusive, all-access pass to everything going on behind the scenes at My Authentic Colors. This isn’t just about fashion; it’s about uncovering who you are and expressing that with confidence and joy. Whether you're a longtime color enthusiast or just beginning your style journey, I’m so glad you’re here.

🏡 Studio Updates

New Service

For those who want clarity post Color Analysis, I will be offering an add-on service where you can Personal Shop with me. This Personal Shopping Trip is different from the Personal Shopping Service for the My Authentic Closet Signature Style Package. This is a service where we would meet at a designated location and we go shopping and put your Swatch Wallet to the test. This service we hope gets you feeling confident about going into the stores. :) Pricing and Launch Date Coming Soon.

New Sponsor for Miss Fall River & Miss Bristol County.

I have always been a believer in the pageant industry. In fact, when creating my business plan a year ago, the Miss Massachusetts organization was in my top 5 organizations to partner with. I currently Sponsor Miss New Bedford/Teen, Miss Southeastern Massachusetts/Teen, & Miss Somerset/Teen. So I’m excited to announce that I am a NEW Sponsor for the Miss Fall River/Teen and Miss Bristol County/Teen. Maybe I’ll grow even more and get more involved in the Miss Massachusetts or Miss America Organization.

YWCA Partnership

We are also a partner with the YWCA! We offer 10% discounts to all YWCA Members!

Gift Cards Now Available

Preferred Partner Program

I have recently partnered up with some of my clients who own small businesses to offer My Authentic Colors clients exclusive deals to their businesses! Their clients get 15% off discounts to any of our services! Go check them out below.

Signature Style Packages

Thoughtfully designed to help you align your style with your truest self. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or ready for a complete transformation, there’s a package created just for you:

🔹 POP UP Color Analysis – $130
A quick dive into the hues that highlight your natural beauty.

🔹 MINI Color Analysis – $187
A quick and powerful session to uncover your most flattering shades.

🔹 FULL Color Analysis - My Authentic Colors – $397
A full color analysis experience to help you wear your hues with confidence.

🔹 Align My Style – $750
A combination of color and body shape analysis to help you dress in alignment with your natural beauty.

🔹 Curated Masterpiece – $2500
Includes color and body shape analysis + a full wardrobe audit to elevate what’s already in your closet.

🔹 My Authentic Closet – $5700
The full transformation: color, body shape, wardrobe audit, personal shopping, and a full wardrobe remix.

These packages are more than services, they’re a gateway to confidence, clarity, and authenticity in how you show up every day. If you’ve already receieved a Color Analysis with me, the price will be reduced.

✨ New Travel Policy – Effective September 1st ✨

Beginning September 1st, all private house parties booked with My Authentic Colors will include a travel fee.

🔹 Mileage will be billed at $0.70 per mile (round trip).

🔹 A set travel fee will also apply based on the distance from the My Authentic Colors office to the event location

•    30 minutes or less → $50 travel fee + mileage

    •    30–60 minutes → $100 travel fee + mileage

    •    1–3 hours → $200 travel fee + mileage

    •    3+ hours → $350 travel fee + mileage

⚠️ Please note: All travel fees must be paid in full before our arrival to confirm your event.

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to bringing the full My Authentic Colors experience directly to you!

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us in our DM’s or email info@myauthenticcolors.com

We’ve launched our Instagram Broadcast Channel! 🎉
Get exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and first looks—straight from us to your inbox. Don’t miss a thing—join the channel now and stay in the loop! 🔗📲 www.instagram.com/my_authentic_colors

Did you know that I was a guest on the Wake Up New Bedford Podcast? I talk about my journey from being a fitness professional to talking about how I started the journey as a Color Analyst. My episode is broken into two parts and you can watch and listen to them down below.

📅 Upcoming Events

We will be doing MINI Color Analysis Consultations at this event.

Today’s Topic: Our 1st Year in Business.

Yesterday was the grand opening of My Authentic Colors.

I keep replaying it in my head because it still doesn’t feel completely real. This studio, right here in New Bedford, Massachusetts, is the first and only Color Analysis and Personal Styling space in the area. Something that once felt so niche, so specific, now has a physical home on the SouthCoast.

Opening the doors came with a lot of feelings. Pride, gratitude, excitement… and honestly, hesitation that’s been years in the making. I’ve been an entrepreneur for over 15 years through leading fitness classes, and while I’ve always loved what I do, I spent a long time feeling disconnected from my own community. For years, it felt like things never grew the way I wanted them to here. Meanwhile, when I went elsewhere to teach, my classes thrived. Those experiences quietly shaped the way I thought about where I “belonged” professionally.

So when it came time to start this business, I was hesitant about placing it in New Bedford. I questioned whether this city (my city) would support something so new, so different, so niche. Old stories are hard to shake.

And then, the opportunity came to build a brand literally a mile from your house, soooo why not right? lol.

Since my grand opening, I have been booked and busy from the start. I had a pop up event the day after the grand opening where I thought I was going to recover…JK

From March through July 4th, I was doing pop-ups every single weekend. Looking back, I don’t know how I did it—but I do know why. Each event created momentum. Each weekend introduced Color Analysis to someone new. Those pop-ups gave me the confidence to trust that this work would find its people, even here. I’m so deeply grateful for every conversation, every client, and every opportunity that came from those months.

One of the biggest surprises has been realizing just how far our reach goes. We’ve had clients come to us from all over North America. That still stops me in my tracks. I didn’t know if we were going to get that many clients—honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect at all. The fact that people are willing to travel for this experience feels surreal and incredibly humbling.

This studio feels like more than just a space. It feels like a shift—in mindset, in trust, in believing that my community can grow here. It’s a reminder that sometimes things don’t unfold the way you imagined because they’re waiting for the right version of you to lead them.

I have so many ideas and goals already forming for 2026. New offerings, bigger visions, and ways to continue expanding this work while staying grounded in why I started. This opening isn’t the end of a chapter—it’s the quiet, powerful beginning of a much bigger one.

For now, I’m sitting with gratitude. For the long weekends. The risks. The doubts I worked through. The unexpected reach. And the fact that this dream exists—right here, right now.

Thank you for being here. I can’t wait to take you along for the ride. 🤍

The Weekly Style Note

The Weekly Style Note is a new series dedicated to simple, wearable color and style tips you can actually use. Each week, we’ll highlight one idea related to Color or Style. Whether it’s how to style a trending color, make the most of what’s already in your closet, or elevate an everyday outfit with small, thoughtful details. Think of it as a quick style refresh: practical, approachable, and designed to make getting dressed feel easier and more fun.

1-12-26 Style Note: Using Neutrals Intentionally

This week’s style note is about treating neutrals as a design choice, not a default. When used thoughtfully, neutral pieces can look just as strong and expressive as color. Rather than building an outfit piece by piece, start by deciding on a neutral mood. Warm, cool, or mixed? Creamy and soft, deep and earthy, or crisp and tailored? Let that direction guide your choices.

Balance is key.

• Pair structured pieces with softer ones.

• Tailored trousers with a relaxed knit, or a sharp jacket over worn-in denim.

Texture becomes your statement here. Ribbed knits, suede, denim, cotton, or leather add quiet interest and make an all-neutral look feel intentional without adding color.

Use accessories to anchor the outfit instead of decorate it. A sturdy shoe, a clean belt, or a simple bag in a coordinating neutral helps the look feel finished. Skip bold prints and high contrast. (Unless that suits your personality style) The goal is cohesion, ease, and an outfit that feels calm, modern, and wearable.

Brand of the Week

Think of this as your Personal Style navigator. From brand breakdowns to seasonal essentials, I’ve got you covered. Everything you see here is available directly through my ShopMy Storefront, so you can grab your favorites in just a few clicks. Let’s make color your new best friend.

• A quick heads-up: this guide is based on what’s currently available on the brand’s website, combined with my take on seasonal color theory. Product photos can be edited, so colors may look slightly different in person—always double-check with your swatch wallet for the perfect match.

You might notice some seasons get more spotlight than others, or that only neutrals appear for certain palettes. That’s just a reflection of the brand’s current offerings, not a deliberate omission. Alright, with that out of the way, let’s dive into this week’s featured brand:

Buffbunny Collection.

Buffbunny Collection is more than just activewear, it’s a movement created by women, for women. Founded by fitness influencer and entrepreneur Heidi Somers in 2016 in San Antonio, Texas, Buffbunny Collection began with a simple yet powerful idea: create an inclusive, high-quality, fashion-forward activewear brand that celebrates every woman’s journey.

SPRING – Fresh, Radiant, Uplifting

🍁 AUTUMN – Rich, Earthy, Grounded

🌊 SUMMER – Cool, Calm, Romantic

❄️ WINTER – Bold, Crisp, Dynamic

☀️ WARM – Radiant, Rich, Inviting.

🌊 COOL – Elegant, Fresh, Refined.

🌑 DEEP – Intense, Powerful, Grounded

☁️ LIGHT – Airy, Delicate, Soft

⚡ BRIGHT – Vivid, Energetic, Playful

🌫️ MUTED – Subtle, Calm, Understated

💸 Discount of the Week

This week, we are starting off 25% the Align Your Style - Signature Style Package.

Use code “ALIGN25” at checkout. This code expires January 18th at 11:59pm EST.

💌 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

Thanks for spending time Behind The Drapes. I’ve got so much more in store, and I want your input! Do you have a burning-style question? A favorite color combo? A topic you’d love me to cover next? Email me your ideas at info@myauthenticcolors.com—I’m all ears (and full spectrum lighting).

If you haven’t followed me on Instagram yet, this is where I hang out the most! I’m pretty cool on there if I say so myself.

Until next time, keep shining in your authentic colors. 🌈

With color and care,
Mac Carvalho
CEO, My Authentic Colors