Today we’d like to introduce you to Nidia Cuellar.
Nidia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My first memories begin with me swirling around in the styling chair at my grandmother’s salon back in Mexico. I would spend countless afternoons just walking through her salon mesmerized at the creativity, the movements, the multitude colors. My favorite part of it all was when my grandmother would hand her clients the mirror and the huge smile of satisfaction would just light up the room. At such a young age, I knew this is where I belonged. I wanted to make someone’s smile that bright.
As I grew older, I became more and more intrigued with my artistic side. Anyone I could get my hands on I would offer a styling service. School dance, done. Homecoming, let’s do this. But it was not enough, I wanted to see more of what the industry was like. So I started to go to castings as a hair model for various international hairstylist. Sure I got my fair share of interesting cuts and colors, but I saw everything that went behind the scenes!
So after high school, I enrolled in beauty school. I achieved my training and was out and about seeking a job in no time. I wanted a place that pushed me out of my comfort zone and help me evolve. I found Dessange. Throughout the years, I continued pushing myself to give clients the most original colors and latest cuts. I have eight years now in this industry and I couldn’t be happier. I enjoy what I do and I appreciate the many clients I have attained over the years.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road to success is never easy. You start with zero clients and slowly try to attain your clientele. The wait and the patience that is needed throughout that process is critical. There were days where I doubted myself. I did not know if I was capable of retaining customers. But the key that helped me was consistency and having the client always wanting more. That is the biggest struggle, to always beat the last service you gave them. It’s always a never-ending battle to outdo yourself every time they step into your chair.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I have a wide range of services I offer, a one stop for the whole family. My services range from a men and women’s’ cuts childrens’ cuts, styling and updos for special events, and most importantly color and highlights.
My specialty has to be balayage! I love blonding everyone up in Houston. Balayage is the French term for “sweeping”. The lightness is gently “swept” onto the hair where you would like to create more movement. So, the typical foil head has a different approach in my salon. Every head of hair has its own shape and movement, so I customized each balayage piece to accentuate the haircut and frame the clients face.
Consultation is also key for a great service. I get to know my clients. Their day to day routine, the celebrities they admire, the colors they love, their personalities. All these traits help me in giving a great representation through their hair of the beauty in each of them.
But most certainly what got me intrigued with this business is the human connection. The way my clients sit in my chair and trust me, not just with hair but with life. How throughout these years I have been a part of their lives. I’ve listened though the heartbreaks, the family vacations, the joyous births, the losses, the engagements, the illness. No matter what, my chair will always have a listening ear and aim to achieve the satisfaction of my client leaving with a smile the end of my service.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was always a hands on person. I came from a family of hairdressers so there was always something to be made. Creating something out of nothing. My school projects always had the most creativity and most color. As I got older, I was able to seek interest in even more art related hobbies. I joined a local dance team where we would choreograph dances for quinceañeras. I joined theatre arts and became involved in all the plays. And lastly, I enrolled in hair and fashion tv modeling. All these hobbies allowed me to express myself artistically and connect more with people. And when it came down to it, they all revolved around the beauty industry.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5535 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77007
- Phone: (832) 660-2728
- Email: nidcuellar@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nycuellar/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nycuellarhair/
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