Today we’d like to introduce you to Gisela Lopez.
Hi Gisela, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hi, my name is Gisela, and here’s a little bit of my story. I’ve been doing hair for 19 years. I happened to enroll in cosmetology school while I was a junior in high school. I graduated with my cosmetology license and started an assistant job for a year and half. I attended Cosmetology Instructor program at San Jac and got my license to teach cosmetology school in 2010.
I worked as a stylist at commission salons for 10 years. Honestly, after 10 years behind the chair doing what I loved I questioned if I wanted to do hair for the rest of my life. I was working at the wrong place, felt unmotivated, and started questioning my career. That’s when I decided to go on my own. I started my own small business by renting a booth at an open-concept salon. Not knowing a thing about owning a business, but with a passion to keep going and learning about this beautiful industry, I took a risk. I started taking online business courses, social media webinars and started following successful Hairstylists that kept me motivated. Education was the key to my success.
After 2 years on my own I went to being fully booked weeks in advance, and no longer feared to fail. I enjoyed being behind the chair and realized this was my calling. Making people feel beautiful and connecting with them was the best feeling at the end of each day.
I focused on proving and perfecting services that I enjoyed doing. Taking as many hair classes and business classes as I could in order to perfect my craft. My main focus was to become a hair colorist. I slowly started specializing in Dimensional Blonding color, and Customed Color services. In 2019 I added Hair Extensions to my service menu, and that became one of my favorite services to do.
After 2 years as a booth renter a group of ladies and I decided to open our salon suite. Working as individual business partners but working together as a team, helping each other succeed.
Then the year 2020 happened, which for so many in our industry was a make-it-or-break point. Once we were cleared to work again, I focus to regain the rhythm of things. My business actually flourished. I was being booked months in advance, working the days that I wanted to work and using the other days to enjoy my family.
Everyone knows my family is my priority. I love spending time with my son and traveling
Part of why I chose this career is because I love meeting new people. I love the connection we make and the relationships we build along the years.
On top of always proving quality services to everyone that sits in my chair, I love making it a memorable experience. I understood early on in my career that this industry is about passion, consistency, and dedication. If you give all of those 3 key factors in every service you provide, you will definitely succeed.
I started offering one-on-one classes to other stylists in 2021, and that’s when I got my own suite. Sharing my knowledge with others is also a passion of mine. I feel like we all can learn something from someone, and knowledge is a major part of this industry. I’ve always told my students that when you feel stuck, go and learn something new. When you feel unmotivated, go and learn something new. Get inspired by others, learn a new technique, and always find the passion that you had when you started.
I currently enjoy my time behind the chair and also my time at home. Over the years, I have found a great work-life balance, which I think is very important in our lives. Being your own boss can get the best of you. Learning how to balance is part of this journey.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think every stylist has faced a struggle at least once or twice in their career. Working for commission salons for 10 years and not seeing progress or success in my career was definitely an eye-opener. I felt unmotivated, and even though I had so many ideas and plans to keep going, I was stuck. The stylist burnout is definitely real. I found myself wanting to quit doing hair. I enjoyed what I did behind the chair, I loved my clients, I was just at the wrong place. I feel like your environment has a lot to do with success. The salon environment you work in matters; the people you surround yourself with for 8-10 hours a day have be people that motivate you and inspire you to get better.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize is Customed Color and Hair Extensions. I love creating dimensional low-maintenance color that suits my clients’ lifestyle. Hair Extensions have become one of my favorite services to provide. I love to see how Hair Extensions change the lives of my clients, that’s the best reward.
What sets me apart from other stylists I think is quality of services I provide as well as the experience my guests receive from the moment they choose me as their stylist. Providing a comfortable and safe environment in my suite, where everyone can feel at home while getting their hair done. Building that connection and relationship with each and everyone that sits in my chair. Educating them on how to properly care for their hair at home.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Definitely a risk-taker. When I went on my own, I had no clue what I was doing. I had second thoughts of having my own business and questioned whether I would succeed or not. Things like “What if I don’t have clients ” “What if my clients don’t follow me to my new location?” “What if I can’t get new clients in my chair?” went through my head for weeks. Social media was just getting started when I went on my own, so I had to learn fast and go with the flow in order for people to know who I was and what I offered. And here I am now, successful and thriving. Social media still difficult at times, but I keep going. Without having to take risks I probably wouldn’t be where I am now.
Contact Info:
- Website: Hairartistrybygisela.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hairartistrybygisela?igsh=MTJjN3o4ajk3cm43cA==
