Conversations with the Inspiring Ashley Avila

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Avila.

Ashley, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
While walking the halls of Dulles Middle School and attending career days, cosmetology always caught my eye in some way. As an 8th grader, I started to plan my credits to attend the cosmetology program in high school. I wasn’t too sure if that’s what I wanted to do as a career, but I knew that it was a great program and just in case it would be a backup plan. While attending high school and summer school, I was finally able to apply at the end of my sophomore year to the cosmetology program and be eligible. As a Junior and Senior in high school attending the program, it was not as easy as I thought it would be. Trying to complete other subjects in school and to become a licensed cosmetologist through a college at 16/17 years old, but I can tell you this. Those years in Cosmetology were my best, that’s when I realized how much I can impact a person. Not only a persons appearance, but to be able to put a smile on someone’s face and bring happiness.

After Dulles High School, I went to college for a few semesters trying to figure out who I was and what I wanted to do. In the back of my mind, I’d always think back to HS on that special feeling I felt behind the chair. That is when I started to apply at different salons to work at. In 2013, Visible Changes Galleria hired me. For those who don’t know, you have to be a trainee and go through their training as a chemical specialist or haircutter (they are departmentalized) until you actually get to have your own station at the salon. It was a great company to work for, but let’s just say God did not want me there for some reason. I was a chemical specialist for about a year and became highly allergic to the hair dye they carried. Till this day my body cannot be around it. From swollen bloody fingers, hives, psoriasis, and bronchitis that I developed from the hair color, I still did not want to leave the company. I decided to stay and go through the “trainee phase” all over again to be on the haircutting department. I was fortunate for the opportunity, but in some way and somehow I was still getting allergic reactions while cutting hair. Trying to find solutions to protect my skin, the discomfort during a haircut was making me realizes things needed to change. At that point, I felt like I wasn’t able to continue to be a hairdresser, so I decided to leave the company.

Knowing the hair industry was my passion, giving up was not an option. With the support of family and friends, they influenced me to open my own mini-salon. In 2015, Sugar Land Drybar offered mainly blowouts. The motivate of my company was to bring a blow-dry/blowout service to the Sugar Land area. Yes, I knew how to do other hair services, but I had to figure out a way to gain new clientele. I was concerned if the service of a blowout was enough. With new clients walking through the door, They were able to see that I also offered haircuts and smoothing treatments. At the beginning of opening my business, it was super slow, so I decided to do advertising with local Sugar Land magazines and a lot of social media. I had always read marketing is key.

One of my favorite quotes is, “Stay humble, work hard and be kind.” I am proud and happy to say I have been in business for over 3 1/2 years and is now called Sugar Land Hair Bar. Within these past few months, I also had to go through a name change and do a rebranding. “Drybar” had contacted “Sugar Land Drybar” notifying me that the word “drybar” was trademarked. I had no idea that was the case, if I did I wouldn’t name my company that at the time. Since the beginning, all I have wanted to do was gain my client’s trust, have fun doing what I love to do and bring happiness to each and every person who walks into my studio known as Sugar Land Hair Bar.

Has it been a smooth road?
I wish I could say it has been a smooth ride, but it has not been at all. From failing written cosmetology examines, trying to get hired at a salon, getting an allergic reaction to hair color, figuring out if I could be in the beauty industry, opening a business, and then having to rename/rebrand a business has been a wild ride! With everything I have gone through it has made me grow within myself. I opened my company at 20 years old. I had absolutely no idea how to run a business, but I knew what I wanted to bring to the table for my clients. With time and speaking with other entrepreneurs, I have learned day by day how to operate my business. My advice for young women is to follow your gut and to not be afraid to make mistakes. You will learn from them.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Sugar Land Hair Bar story. Tell us more about the business.
Sugar Land Hair Bar is known for haircuts, smoothing treatments and quick hairstyling. Those are the services that I specialize in. I love to attend hair-shows and educational hair classes throughout the year. The shows and classes are about haircutting techniques, trends, and product knowledge. I am most proud of my customer loyalty at Sugar Land Hair Bar. Seeing the reviews and photos that my clients post, motivates me to provide them with great customer service. Staying on top of trends within the beauty industry is very important, I would say that is what sets me apart from other hairstylists. There is always something to learn in this industry.

What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Nothing can stop you, but yourself. Have confidence in anything that you do. It will be difficult in the beginning but trust the process. Everything happens for a reason. Let God take the lead.

Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
I think challenges thrown at women, makes us stronger! There are so many opportunities for women nowadays. Every day is an opportunity to test yourself against your potential. I believe women can do anything they put their minds to! Sometimes, if we feel like there aren’t any opportunities for us, maybe we just have to create our own.

Contact Info:

• Address: 15421 Southwest Freeway STE 202
  Sugar Land, TX 77478
• Website: www.vagaro.com/sugarlandhairbar
• Phone: 281-691-2155
• Email: Sugarlandhairbar@gmail.com
• Instagram: SugarLandHairBAr
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/sugarlandhairbar
• Other: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sugar-land-hair-bar-sugar-land

Image Credit:
Kim Solis

Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.