Today we’d like to introduce you to Alina Ho.
Alina, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started off on a very practical path… graduated with honors in high school, got into the University of Texas Austin, intended to major in pre-nursing and eventually go to Nursing school to get my BSN and then maybe my Masters in Nurse Practitioner. That was the path that was carved for me by my parents. The safe and secure path to a guaranteed career with a stable income. What person doesn’t want that? But as I started undergrad, I ended up bouncing back and forth between majors… taking science classes but also taking fashion design/merchandising because I loved the creative aspect of it. In the end, I ended up moving back home to Houston to figure out exactly what I wanted to do. I transferred to UH, finished my nursing pre-reqs, and took my nursing entrance exam intending to apply but in the end, I never did. Working at doctors offices, hospitals, and clinics made me realize that this path wasn’t meant for me and I didn’t want to waste any more time/money doing something that didn’t make me happy for the rest of my life. So, I took some time off, worked at restaurants and MAC doing makeup and also freelancing on the side. I finally took the plunge and decided to try out cosmetology school to do hair and ended up falling in love with it. I felt like I finally found something that gave me passion, joy, and allowed me to wake up every day looking forward to work and honing my craft. It was a very bumpy ride for the past eight years trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. A lot of setbacks and obstacles with relationships that caused a lot of problems for me along the way. But I learned with all those setbacks, made me the person I am today. I wouldn’t be who I am today without those struggles…
Has it been a smooth road?
Smooth road? Far from it. My parents weren’t so happy at first with my choice in career change. They didn’t think it was practical and stable so they tried in every way to convince me not to. My family always compared me to my little sister and cousins saying why I couldn’t be like them and graduated college like a normal person. I was in a toxic/abusive relationship too that hindered me and brought me down so much I couldn’t even recognize myself in the end. I was lost for a good while… depressed even though not many people knew because I hid it very well behind my cheerful personality. I was financially unstable because of my relationship with that person. He had put me in so much debt and financial troubles that it took me years to get back on track. It was a crazy time.
My advice for anyone starting out on their journey… never give up. Don’t give up. Show those who doubted you that they are wrong and that you will make it. Because I promise you, you will if you keep on going and it will be the most satisfying feeling in the world knowing that you made the right choice by sticking to your dreams.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I am a full-time professional hairstylist currently working at Shampu Salon in Midtown. I specialize in color such as balayages, babylights, highlights, blondes, corrective color, reverse balayages, fantasy colors, etc. I also do cuts and Brazilian blowouts. I love being able to converse with my clients and getting to know them on a personal level. I want clients to feel like I am also your friend and confidant and that every appointment with me is an appointment you would look forward to each time.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
There will be some awesome days and there will be some crappy days. You just have to roll with the punches and stick through it because it’s a learning experience. Never stop wanting to learn and grow. There is always room for improvement and growth. Never think you are better than anyone else. Be humble and consistent. Work hard but also don’t lose yourself and forget about your personal life and mental health.
Pricing:
- Colors – $200+ varies with styles, amount of hair, and starting canvas
- Cuts – $70
- Brazilian Blowouts – $250+
Contact Info:
- Address: 2000 bagby st suite 112
Houston Texas 77002 - Website: shampusalon.com
- Phone: 713-521-0090
- Email: artistrybyalina@gmail.com
- Instagram: artistrybyalina
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