Tabitha Dumas of Gilbert, AZ on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Tabitha Dumas and have shared our conversation below.

Tabitha, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
I would absolutely hire me as an image consultant because I keep things practical and down-to-earth, and customize everything for my clients’ preferences, personality and lifestyle. I don’t put people into a box and I make sure to address their unique needs and goals. I’d want to feel seen and celebrated which is what I strive for with my clients. Plus I’m fun. I love having fun!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
You can call me Tab and I’m a friendly and fun-loving wife, mom, writer and image consultant who’s passionate about helping women dress well so they’re free to walk in their God-given purpose. It breaks my heart when women pass up opportunities or play small because they question their style confidence! My specialty is Color Analysis which I’ve performed on over 1,500 people all over the world since 2012. I never get tired of teaching women how to get dressed in their best colors and how they light up when they love what they see in the mirror!

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My dad has greatly influenced my work ethic. Over my lifetime, he’s been a pastor, paint contractor, engineer and photographer, sometimes all at the same time. He does what he says he’s going to do, he never calls in sick, he treats people fairly and he upholds a standard of excellence. He’s also always willing to help above and beyond the job and mentor those coming behind him. He has taught me that integrity and trust is everything. He’s also well connected and admired by those in the community and instilled in me a love of supporting small business.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
A fear that loomed in the background for most of my life was disappointing people, or them discovering “the real me” and rejecting me. In recent years, with the help of mentors and loved ones, I’ve become more comfortable being seen. I’ve given up on controlling what people think of me. I’m asking for help, standing up for myself and have stopped trying to hide my flaws. Working as an image consultant, my main job is seeing the potential in people and bringing out their inner beauty. “Free” is my word for 2025 and being free to be myself has made my clients more comfortable showing me their real self as well. We’ve been growing together in becoming more courageously authentic which is the best confidence boost of all.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
In the industry of image consulting, but color analysis in particular, the common myth is that people fit neatly into a box when it comes to the colors they can wear. Having typed more than 2,000 people over the last decade, I’ve become an expert at customizing a person’s colors rather than giving them exact rules and one precise label. While we can narrow down their best colors, no one fits perfectly into a specific category because God created us so uniquely! There are subtle differences in skin tone and eye color but there’s also the consideration of a person’s preferences and personality. In addition, the colors people choose depends on what they feel good wearing, how the colors fit into their lifestyle, and what message wearing certain colors sends. Sure there are some people who crave a box and rules but most people want flexibility and a unique set of parameters they can tailor to their own preferences. My clients feel relieved to discover the freedom of a bigger box or no box at all.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
Starting out as an image consultant who specialized in color analysis, I could not have dreamed of being hired by big businesses to do corporate events at fancy resorts. What a thrill! Then one of first ones involved using a valet and bell hop, lugging my gear all the way across the building, adapting to a change in schedule, being too busy to eat or drink anything and never even meeting the people who hired me. Afterward I was too tired to enjoy the gorgeous venue and my feet ached from spending hours wearing high heels. My satisfaction comes from connecting with people in my everyday life and being able to promote each other. For the big corporate gigs, I’m often treated as “the hired help” and the people I analyze are people I will never encounter again. Therefore, nowadays I only take jobs with local people and at venues that are easy to navigate and with people who are looking for the personalized services I provide. Fancy and high end don’t satisfy me. Working with businesses I love and people in my sphere of influence is deeply satisfying. I still end up at plenty of classy venues but now I’m there for the right reasons–and I make a point to enjoy them now, too.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tabithadumas.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/signaturecolorstyle
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tabithadumas11/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tabithadumas11
• Other: Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/tabithad11/