Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline Galeno.
Jacqueline, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Hi! I am Jackie Galeno and I’ve been a cosmetologist for almost 13 years. I always knew that I wanted to be a cosmetologist. My mother says that even as a small child, she always found me playing with my doll’s hair. When I was an 8th grader, I found out about Barbara Jordan High School for Careers and that they had a cosmetology dual credit program. I immediately sent my application and that’s how my cosmetology career began. The cosmetology program began in the 10th grade. We sat through a whole year of just studying over law and sanitation. The fun came in 11th grade when we were finally allowed in the cosmetology lab, where we finally got to work on mannequins and eventually clients. When I graduated from high school, I also graduated with my cosmetology license. My first job was at TGF Haircutters, where I learned all the basics, the fundamentals of cosmetology. I worked with many companies such as Great Clips, SportClips, Drybar, and the Boardroom Salon for Men. I enjoyed my time at all those places but I felt that my growth was very limited as an artist. A was very unhappy for a while. I attempted to change my career, I even got into nursing school but It wasn’t for me.
Last fall, a friend of mine introduced me to Michael Saldaña, the owner of Michael Saldaña Salon. He offered me a job as an independent contractor at both his Midtown and Greenway Plaza salons. I was terrified at the thought of becoming an independent contractor, I wasn’t sure that I could make it but I had to take the job. An opportunity like that doesn’t come often. This job turned out to be the best thing that has ever happened to me. I am grateful for the experience I gained from my other jobs. Those skills were necessary to be successful where I’m at now. I finally found a salon that feels like a second home. At the Greenway Plaza location, we offer appointments as early as 6 a.m. and I am actually happy to be there that early. Michael Saldaña Salon is an Aveda salon. This brand has so many opportunities for their stylist. We are able to travel all over the country for advanced training.
Last January, I was given the opportunity to travel to New York for an advanced training in runway styling with celebrity stylist Jon Reyman. Then in February, I was given the opportunity to be part of the Aveda hair team for New York Fashion Week. I love my career as a cosmetologist. Some days you will find me doing what I do best, cutting hair. Other days you will find me assisting my mentors, Michael Saldaña and Jay Flores. And other times you will find me in a completely different city, enhancing my skills. The pandemic has made travel impossible for now but I hope to be part of the Aveda team for London Fashion Week next year.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road. For many years I worked at places that I wasn’t compatible with. I am an artist, and good work requires time. I made the mistake of working at places where the quantity of haircuts was more important that quality of haircuts. I also worked at places where I would never grow in my career nor financially. Michael Saldaña Salon was the first place to allow me to grow in every area of my life. Sadly it took 12 years to find the right place. There is also the stereotype of cosmetology being a career for people who lack academic intelligence. We live in a society that tells us that we are nothing without a college education. This gave me some self-esteem issues, which is why I had gone back to college, got a degree, then I made A’s to get into nursing school, I proved to myself that I was not dumb but I also found that I had been in the right place all along. It took me a while to appreciate it but artistic intelligence is something to be proud of. Recently my greatest challenge was Covid-19. All salons were closed for two months. This is something that affected the entire world. I was definitely not expecting to be temporarily unemployed for two months. Now that we are back at the salon, I had to adapt to many new precautions, including cutting while both my client and I wear masks.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I work for Michael Saldaña Salon, where I specialize in the art of haircutting and styling. We offer various cosmetology services such as color, cuts, styling, extensions, waxing, and Brazilian Blowouts. I am proud to work for Michael Saldaña Salon because we are a real team. We are always learning from each other because growth is always welcomed. This salon is the first salon where my boss is also a stylist and not some guy from corporate who demands higher numbers through an e-mail. I have a leader who leads by example. He will never demand anything from us that he hasn’t achieved himself.
I am proud to work for a company that values the quality of their services over saving a few bucks. My boss provides me with whatever I need to get the job done. There are many things that set us apart. One of them is our willingness to work around our clients’ schedules. There are days when I’m at the salon as early as 6 a.m. and there are also days where I end up working after hours. It doesn’t matter if the service is just a simple blowout or a complicated color service; we always try our best to work with our client’s schedule. At the Greenway Plaza location, we are underground at The Hub. We are connected to several office buildings and our clients are able to walk downstairs to get their hair done during their break. They never even have to leave the building. If you need an early appointment, I will be the one who takes care of you.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career was last February when I got to be part of the Aveda team for NYFW. This was never a dream of mine because I didn’t even know it was possible. I got to participate in three shows, Fashion Hong Kong, Concept Korea, and Chiara Boni. All three shows were very unique and completely different from each other. I was given the opportunity to not only do hair but also attend some of the shows. On my last night, I wanted to cry of happiness. I was one of the few people from the hair team that was allowed into the most exclusive area backstage. I was assisting with last-minute hair adjustments right before the models got to walk. My favorite part was when the show ended and I got to see all the models celebrating and congratulating fashion designer Chiara Boni.
Pricing:
- Men’s cut $37
- Women’s cut $75 (includes blowout)
- Brazilian blowout $350
Contact Info:
- Address: 3 Greenway Plaza
Unit C280 Houston, TX 77046 - Website: michaelsaldanasalon.com
- Phone: (713) 528-6777
- Email: jackiegaleno@gmail.com
- Instagram: Hair_by_jackie_galeno
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackiegalenohair/
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