Today we’d like to introduce you to Pamela Santos.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Pamela. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
It took me five years after high school to realize that my career would be a professional cosmetologist. After having my son, I realized I needed to make a huge commitment and dedicate my time to work hard in able to get my family and I headed to a better life. My childhood growing up wasn’t perfect. I moved six times. I lived my childhood years in Paradise Hills before I moved up to Rancho Penasquitos during my freshman year of high school.
I was told I am a wise one, and I think it’s because I’ve gone through many experiences- the good, the bad, the ugly. I can relate to a lot of my peers. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve failed and thought, “Damn, I wish I could’ve done that time in my life a lot differently.” Growing up, my family has gone through separation and loss, and so much hurt. My mom was a single mom raising three kids on her own. She was constantly working. My relationship with my mom was broken for a long time until I met my fiancé whom I’ve been with for 11 years, now. Yes, he is my son’s father, and to answer everyone’s question, “When are you getting married?” —- Next Fall, 2020.
My journey started when I became licensed back in 2014, I was hired as an assistant for the owner of a small private-owned salon in Del Mar. I worked as her assistant for a month before I decided to leave. Mainly because of how uncomfortable the vibe felt when I would walk into the salon. If you know me in person then you must know I’m all about spreading good vibes… and I did not feel that energy in there.
Not long after, I found a nearby blow-dry bar in 4s Ranch. Literally minutes only away from my home. I spent five years working there. Within those five years, I became a lead master stylist, an eyelash extensions artist, and the assistant manager. I met inspiring souls in there, and those beautiful souls are the ones who molded me to the perfect form of myself. I was working my dream job right until the ownership changed. Well, you guys know how that sometimes goes!
With the new ownership there have been huge turnovers within the last few months I was still there. That eventually lead me to go back into assisting. While I was job searching, I was able to connect with a few bridal agencies to continue my passion for hairstyling and makeup. Once I found a hairstylist to assist for, I had high hopes she would educate me with the color lines she uses and also learn new skills that I would help me better my performance as a professional cut and color specialist. I was so eager to learn! I felt really excited, yet nervous, to be venturing back to what made me start in the first place, but as months passed by, I had a routine of doing errands that weren’t related to my career. It was such a disappointment…
As I began assisting, the salon manager offered me a chair to start off as a commissioned hairstylist, and a room to do eyelash extensions. A few months after I was situated, I found out the salon ownership was changing, again! And they had to make a permanent change where every stylist had to pay booth rent. I know, SHOCKING! I then began questioning myself whether I should venture out again or just stay. At that moment in time I felt like I was really struggling because I wasn’t making enough to where I could put money away for my wedding, or to provide enough to help my fiancé with our bills.
Luckily, I kept in touch with a friend from the blow-dry bar, where she and another friend both opened up Eco Chic Salon that’s located in Hillcrest. Timing couldn’t be any more perfect! She’d visit me weekly to wash and style her hair, which lead to discussions about becoming a stylist at their salon! Fast forward to now, I stopped assisting and booth renting at the other salon, and decided to pursue my growth at Eco Chic Salon, where I now get the education and one-on-one hands-on training that I’ve been needing.
After beginning my new journey at Eco Chic, I continue to do bridal hair and makeup with the bridal agencies I signed with. And if you recall my friend who offered me a chair at Eco Chic Salon, that friend was thoughtful enough to offer me another job as an eyelash extensions artist at a salon in Point Loma called ParPar House of Lashes.
Now that I’ve made a set schedule for myself, I finally took initiative of creating my website where anyone can easily book an appointment with me! And I’m so grateful to have friends in the beauty industry who will help others reach their goals in life and thrive for a successful future. That’s all I ever want to be surrounded with!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There’s a saying: If there’s no struggle, there is no progress.
Being in this industry it’s a major competition, but I try to see it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Although I was not happy with my job as an assistant, I was still fortunate to learn some techniques from the stylist where I now have put those skills into use.
From hearing my story, you know that I’ve struggled finding a salon that was fitting to my likes and needs after I had quit my job at the blow-dry bar. I wanted that feeling again of loving my job every time I had to go to work. And having the connections with the people I work with all the time. To me, it should feel like my second home!
After I left the blow-dry bar and began assisting again I had a phase where I was depressed. I started out happy because I was ready to get out of my comfort zone and begin my new journey as a cut and color stylist! That instantly changed as soon as I noticed the pattern when I would go to work to literally clean and run errands. Like what personal assistants typically do.
To think that I was making progress from being an assistant, and working with a few bridal agencies, and being able to service some of my own clients when I could…I still struggled to make ends meet. I thought I worked so much to make more than enough for me to be successful to pay off booth rent, and my family bills, but that was not the case. There’s still so much to learn before I even think about establishing my own business, but I believe my path now is definitely leading me to success.
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’m a #cosmetologist #colorspecialist #updospecialist #bridalmakeupartist #bridalhairstylist and #eyelashartist
I’m known for being a perfectionist. And although I have a love-hate relationship with my perfectionism, I can honestly say I’m proud to be one because it’s brought me to where I am now.
And I believe everyone has a story with so much history that it sets them apart from everyone else. So I like to think that everyone is unique in their own way.
For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
I was captivated by this quote:
“It’s not the money I’m after. It’s the freedom to live life on my own terms.”- Anonymous.
Because I strongly support women empowerment since we live in a world where men tend to lead. And although it’s been proven that most high level decision makers in the industry are men, it’s fascinating to see an increasing level of female leadership.
I’m so grateful to be in an industry where I capitalize myself as my own boss. I have the opportunity to set my own schedule. I can call the shots. And it’s a wonderful feeling to gain control of all of that.
However, I still have a long way to go to achieve my life long dreams. And I want to spread some motivation to all my #bossbabes who are out there working for their freedom to live as well. We all got this, and I’m here cheering for you! XO
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hairandglambypam.com
- Email: pamstylist23@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/pam_stylistt
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/pamstylistt
Image Credit:
Pamela Santos
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