Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Cardenas.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started working for Innovative Looks while I was a senior in high school. My training with them lasted for about a year and some creative differences lead to me getting let go and going to work in the Woodlands. I had a brief interlude at another small salon before opening my own suite for a year. While I was suite renting, I learned 2 things about me: 1. I love the business side of my career more than I love being behind the chair; 2. I missed seeing other people grow and learn. I was tired of being in my own little world, as much as I loved being my own boss. Innovative Looks was looking for a manager and we already had a relationship, so I fit right back into the salon, in my new role, with ease. While I was hesitant to return, I loved Innovative Looks and was curious to see if they could provide me a real opportunity to make the difference I wanted to have on our industry. I have now been managing Innovative Looks for nearly 4 years and we have a strong team that considers each other family. Our numbers have grown substantially and I am getting to help my team grow in ways that I have never seen before.
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?
Everyone struggles and I think what so many people forget is that those struggles bring us to a future full of compassion, understanding, and determination. If you give up you will never get to see the beauty that was growing out of these trials. After getting married at 19 and getting fired from my first job in a salon, you can imagine that we were struggling. Not only financially because I lost my job, mentally because I had to wonder if I was the problem and if I belonged in the hair industry, but so was my marriage. In order for me to afford to run my own suite, we had to live with roommates, which is only fun for a few months. It was putting a lot of stress on my husband and myself. It wasn’t easy, and we both still struggle with some of the choices we made during that time in our life, but because of those tears, sweat, blood and mistakes made along the way, we were able to learn so much about ourselves and each other. The most important thing I learned is in order to be a leader, you must learn to be a giver! I do not believe in asking someone to do something that I wouldn’t do myself. If I ask my staff to clean the bathroom, you better bet, I too, clean that bathroom. Beyond that, I make sacrifices to make sure my team always has what they need to grow. If they grow, we grow. I don’t get to win without them.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Innovative Looks Hair Salon – what should we know?
At Innovative Looks, I run the business side of everything here at the salon. I have personal development meetings individually with my staff once a month, I handle the budgets, the ordering, inventory, set up promotions, monthly team meetings, I handle the hiring and firing. I have a receptionist, but we work opposite shifts, so when she isn’t here I am the one running the front desk, cleaning of the salon, customer service, organizing the new client gifts and postcards. I help to ensure the team knows where it is going and I help it get there, along with rewarding the milestones along the way. I am so proud of all the hard work these women have put in every day to achieve their goals. As hard as I may work, they work harder and before they are finished here their desire to pass on what they love makes my heart melt. I love watching my team not only grow but recognize that we are helping people reach their dreams and I love that they want to share that with other dedicated professionals. I believe this stems though from one of our biggest core beliefs as a company. We love our community and we are working towards a plan to be a salon and team that gives back to our community every chance we can.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Learning to accept rejection is key to your success. When I was in training, I was taught for every 10 no’s you get, you will get 1 yes. And, you have to learn not to take those no’s to heart. You aren’t here to please everyone. You are here to build yourself up with people who respect you. If they don’t respect you it is 100% okay to let them go and don’t try to force the issue. That one yes will make up for all 10 of the no’s.
Pricing:
- Woman’s cut $29+
- All Over Color and Cut $117+
- Balayage and Cut $196+
Contact Info:
- Address: 17195 Hwy 249 Ste 4F
Houston, TX 77064 - Website: www.innovativelooks.com
- Phone: 281-970-3900
- Email: support@innovativelooks.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innovativelooks/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/innovativelookshairsalon/
Image Credit:
Samantha Phillips, Ki’Ara Addison, Angeles Vazquez
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