Today we’d like to introduce you to Karla Ibanez.
Karla, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been doing hair since the early 2000s, and over the years, my love for hair grew into something much bigger. What started as a passion for creating beautiful hairstyles eventually became a desire to create a space where people could feel comfortable, seen, and free to be themselves.
I opened LaReina Sol Essentials in February 2023, and what started as a dream slowly became a full-time business and a huge part of who I am.
In May 2025, I made the decision to walk away from my job and fully commit to my business while continuing to grow it. That decision came with a lot of uncertainty, but I knew I was ready to bet on myself.
Over the years, I’ve learned that being a loctician is about so much more than doing hair. My clients trust me with their stories, their transformations, and sometimes some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. That has taught me patience, compassion, and the importance of creating a judgment-free environment.
In 2026, I closed a four-year chapter in my previous salon space and moved into a new home for LaReina Sol Essentials. It has been a beautiful reminder that growth sometimes requires you to let go of what you’ve known and make room for what’s next.
Today, I’m still learning, creating, and building. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, but I’m even more excited about where I’m going. LaReina Sol Essentials is more than a business to me—it’s a reflection of my journey, my creativity, and my belief that you can create a life that feels like your own.
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?
No, it definitely has not been a smooth road. Being a small business owner means wearing so many different hats, and when it’s just you, there really isn’t anyone else to pass things off to. I’m the loctician, the customer service person, the person answering messages, creating content, handling orders, cleaning, keeping up with the business side—and then still trying to have a life outside of the business.
There have been days when I’ve felt overwhelmed, tired, and even questioned myself. Building something of your own can be lonely sometimes because people see the finished product, but they don’t always see everything it takes to get there.
I’ve had slow seasons, unexpected challenges, and moments where I’ve had to figure things out as I went. But I’ve also learned so much about myself through those experiences. I’ve learned to be patient with my journey, to trust myself, and to keep going even when things don’t look the way I
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
LaReina Sol Essentials is a loc care and beauty business that I created from my love for hair, creativity, and people. I specialize in loc maintenance, ReTwists, starter locs, loc extensions, Micro Locs, loc repairs, styling, and detangling and dematting services.
But honestly, I feel like what I’m known for goes beyond the services I provide. I’ve built a reputation for taking my time with my clients and meeting their hair where it is. Some of the detangling and dematting journeys I’ve worked on have taken multiple sessions and many hours, but I believe every strand deserves patience and care. I don’t judge my clients based on where their hair is when they sit in my chair. I’m there to help them get back to themselves.
That’s a huge part of what sets LaReina Sol Essentials apart. I want my salon to feel like a safe space—a place where you can come as you are, talk, laugh, cry, relax, and leave feeling better than when you walked in. Hair can be very personal, and I never want anyone to feel embarrassed or judged in my chair.
I’m also proud that my brand has grown beyond just doing hair. I created my own detangling product, Miracle Melt Detangling & Dematting Spray, which came from my hands-on experience working with clients and seeing what their hair needed. Being able to take something I created and turn it into an actual product that I can offer to other people is something I’m really proud of.
More than anything, I’m proud of the community and trust I’ve built around my brand. LaReina Sol Essentials represents creativity, care, growth, and freedom. I want people to know that whether they’re starting their loc journey, maintaining a journey they’ve had for years, dealing with damaged or matted hair, or simply looking for a stylist who will truly listen to them, there is a place for them here.
This business is a reflection of me. I’m still growing, still learning, and still creating, but I’m proud of the space I’ve built and the people I get to serve along the way.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I wouldn’t say luck played a big role in my journey. I believe in hard work, consistency, taking chances on myself, and being ready when opportunities come. Everything I’ve built has come with lessons, sacrifices, and a whole lot of faith in myself.
Pricing:
- $125 shampoo & ReTwist
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.lareinasolessentials.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lareinasolessentials
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sunkissedbygodk
