Today we’d like to introduce you to Ria Allen.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Hair has always been my passion. The thing that I knew I was good at. I knew that God had blessed me with a gift. I just never believed in that gift like I should have. After working in Corporate America for so long you get used to a steady income and a sense of security so hair always took a back seat.
Now I was still a kitchen beautician and doing hair on the side but I couldn’t walk away from the money I was making. In 2003 that job that I couldn’t let go of me. I was not sure of what to do but hair was still not something that I wanted to do full time. Well, one day I was sitting at home and I made a very important phone call to a friend who would later be my mentor. She owned a very successful salon and I wanted to just go visit her to see how she was doing. That visit changed my life. When I got there she asked me, “why are you off from work” and I explained that I had been laid off. She turned to me and said we’ll get to work because I need you. I became her assistant that day. Being there made me realize how much I loved everything about hair. She taught me everything. She even let me work there to build my clientele and never asked me for a dime. I thought that this was finally where I needed to be and that this was my future. Well, life happened and I had to go back to work. Now years had past and as much as my mentor tried to push me towards a career in the hair industry I just made excuses. She saw potential in me that I hadn’t seen in myself. I decided to go back to work full time.
Let me fast forward to 2012. I was working and doing well but I was so unhappy. I use to cry everyday. I had a bathroom in my office and I would literally go in there everyday and pray and ask God to please give me some type of guidance on what direction to take. Well, one day my husband said put in your two weeks notice because you’re not going back. He said hair is what you love and you’re doing it on the side anyway, you might as well do it full time. I gave my notice that day and I never looked back. Well this road hasn’t been easy but it was worth it. In 2016 my family and I lost everything. I was pregnant with my twins and was so unsure of what to do next. I was working in my friend’s salon in Stafford and after I returned back to work after having my twins, I had lost most of my clientele. I was like Lord am I being punished or something. So I decided to move and an opportunity arose for me to open my own salon and at the time I thought this was what I needed to do. Turned out that this was by far the biggest mistake of my life. My salon was closed within a few months. I felt so defeated.
Everything that I had worked so hard for I had let go of for various reasons. I was asked by one of my girls to partner up and open up another salon. I was like ok God I see you. Maybe this was what I needed so thats what we did. Well I was wrong. I learned a valuable lesson about self-care. I was dealing with depression and anxiety and never took the time to take care of me. I honestly felt like a failure. I was losing faith and I really didn’t understand what direction I needed to take. All I knew was, I wasn’t happy and I had to figure out how to make me better. Once again my husband sat me down and was like look you are never going to be happy until you have your salon back. What are you waiting for. All the hard work wasn’t in vane and I could still have everything that I wanted. I always knew the area I wanted my salon to be at and I drove down Richmond Ave one Saturday taking pictures of every building that said they had space for lease.
Instead of doing things on my own this time I prayed and I just asked God to please help me make the best decision for me and my family. If it is the path that I am supposed to take then show me and that is exactly what He did. Out of 6 buildings only one person was helpful and that was the start of my new beginning. When I tell you that God will put the right people in your path, He will. I know now that He already had this all worked out for me. I just needed to believe that I was worthy of that and I never knew my worth like I do now. I am in the perfect place around amazing people. He knew what I needed when I needed it and I am so grateful. My clients are in love and so am I. It was so worth the wait. The struggle was real honey but so worth it. So Studio 3015 Hair and Makeup Artistry is back and I am so excited for what’s to come.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Never smooth. Not even a little bit. Not taking care of ME was number one and not realizing that I wasn’t ok mentally. I was Trusting the wrong people with MY future and not doing my research. Sometimes you want things so badly but it isn’t your time. I was willing to accept less than I deserve just to say I have a business. I was being lied to and ripped off and I lost time and money but I don’t regret any of it because I know what I’m not willing to accept now. And also I was all over the place. When you aren’t sure of yourself and when you don’t know your worth you will constantly make bad decisions. And I was making one bad decision after another. Self-accountability is everything.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Studio 3015 Hair and Makeup Artistry – what should we know?
Studio 3015 Hair and Makeup Artistry is my baby. 3015 is my children’s birthdays. Its a constant reminder of why I can’t give up and why I have to keep going. They are who I do this for.
We are a laid back, fun, and, full of good vibes. Nothing but positive energy and lots of laughter and therapy sessions.
As for me, I am a master stylist and I specialize in short hair. This is what I am known for. Short hair is art to me and it gives me life, This is where I am able to show my creativity. My main focus is and will always be healthy hair above anything else.
I am also known for my time management. My clients are everything to me and without them I wouldn’t be able to do what I love, so I make it a priority to give them an experience that they will appreciate and show that I appreciate them as well.
Even though we are new and still growing I am so proud of where we are at this very moment. Still learning, still growing, and loving and enjoying what we do. Making women feel beautiful makes it that much more rewarding.
I think what sets us apart is that we have created a unique atmosphere tailored to each and every one of our clients. From the decor to the amenities. Everything has been hand picked and well thought out for an amazing experience. One that will captivate anyone that walks through our doors.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I honestly have the best support system a girl could ever ask for. I am so thankful for those who have loved me through my storms and never gave up on me. God is my everything. Without him none of this would be possible. He just keeps blessing me even when I fall short. My husband has had my back from the very beginning. He has pushed me to go after my dreams and I will forever be grateful. An Amazing and talented stylist who taught me was patient with me and pushed me like no other is Aundrea Allen, owner of ES Hair. She took a chance on me and pushed me to see how talented I was really was.
My sister Krystle Barrington has always been one of my biggest supporters and cheerleaders and she means everything to me. My clients believe it or not are some of the most amazing people and I believe they are God sent. They are always telling me how amazing I am and how much they love me and that means so much. They will never understand. My cousins Cara Cambridge and Shay Walker are always there for my kids and I. There have been moments where I needed to be at the salon and they were and still are always ready and available to help me with them so I could be at work. My closest friends and family who love me and encourage me on a daily is such a blessing. I am forever humbled and appreciative.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3100 Richmond Ave Suite 410, Houston, TX 77098
- Website: studio3015hma.as.me/
- Phone: 832-807-1041
- Email: studio3015hma@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/studio3015hma
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
