Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Contreras.
Hi Victoria, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story began when I moved to Texas from southern California in the summer of 2007. By the time I was 9 years old, I had 2 sisters who I LOVED playing ‘Beauty Salon’ with. Not to mention, the countless barbies I destroyed by cutting and colouring their hair. Especially during the hot summers, I remember using the porch chairs and the water hose to pretend I’d be washing and styling clients! Overall the concept of doing hair was influenced by my dad (Mario Contreras) who enjoyed barbering as one of his hobbies during his service in the United States Marine Corps. As a young girl in middle school and junior high school makeup developed into passion. Although, it wasn’t until high school that I started to experiment with more full facial products. Soon my skills had been recognised by a local wedding vendor who insisted that I (16) should consider pursuing the industry. Conveniently, my high school had a 2-year cosmetology program that would begin my junior year and result in my graduating high school with my state license. Even though we primarily practised the state test, hair, makeup, and nails, I remember the first (and only time) we used our clippers set! I was so excited and my teacher was very pleased with the result of the haircut on the manikin but little did I know it was the start of a new adventure.
When I graduated high school (2019), I thought I wanted to pursue the makeup industry but after reflecting on all the categories we had practised in school, I realised barbering was the only category I hadn’t tried by that point. In an attempt to consider the industry prior to making any commitments, I had begun working as a receptionist at a barbershop near my house. Three months later, I enrolled in a barber college to specialise in that category(2021). During my time in barber school, someone had referred me to a barber who was willing to guide me in perfecting my craft before relocating his shop. After practising some essential haircuts in more detail, he relocated and I finished off the year working at a Tune-Up Manly Salon. It was about this time that I had started to build a reliable clientele and took advantage of meeting local barbers. Not only did it allow me to see how much potential there is within barbering, it also helped me establish my purpose.
Naturally, as humans we grow, we change our minds, and take interests in other avenues. I find that one’s purpose takes on multiple motivations in order to fully define that purpose.
Mine being :
1. I am the oldest of 4 children. And what I have found within that responsibility is being a leader, the importance of persistence, and critical thinking.
2. Passion for Fashion: I can confidently say that I am passionate about what I do. Giving someone confidence, building relationships, helping others, making a positive impact, growing with your clients, the creativity, continual learning, and endless wisdom.
These two components are what continue to motivate me to keep opening doors when one closes. It is never easy leaving an establishment, being let go, or walking away but when you alter the perception, a solution will always present itself to your benefit. Sadly, I learned the hard way but I never gave up. As a result (2022), I have been fortunate enough to work in a studio, become mobile, and work from home.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Working in a predominately male environment, it is common to be underestimated. But overall, I think my biggest obstacle has been learning to cut hair in a timely manner and working two jobs while building a clientele. Both obstacles have taught me how important it is to take your time. It’s easier to ask questions and learn as you go, instead of counting your mistakes. When I finished barber school, I held myself to an unrealistic timeline/ standard instead of trying to properly understand the essentials of being a well-rounded barber. Unfortunately, my carelessness altered my mindset negatively and reflected in my attitude. As a result, I jumped into many situations unwilling to listen and only wanting to be heard, allowed my emotions to affect my work, and to be quite honest, it hindered my ability to focus. So not only could my road have been smoother had I been open-minded to learning, but I didn’t have to make my journey harder than it had to be.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am Barber. I cut hair, braid hair, perform traditional shaves, style for special events, and beard/mustache trims. While there are plenty of proud moments I have as a barber, the one that stands out the most would be having the honour of shaving my father’s head after his Cancer diagnosis. I take pride in this moment because he trusted me with this vulnerable moment, thoroughly expressed his appreciation, and overall contributed to my purpose for choosing the barbering industry.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I think passion is the biggest fundamental to my successes. Passion is what encourages me to continue openings doors after each one has closed, Passion is finding a way to make my goals happen because of how much faith I’ve invested in my success. Passion is taking my own path instead of following the crowd. Passion is using others’ negativity as motivation to prove them wrong. Passion is what (also) encourages me to continue evolving and learning physically, mentally and within my trade.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @vixtoriarenee
