Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Wittenberg.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Rachel. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
Born and raised in Sunny San Diego, I grew up going to the beach or spending time at the horse ranch. With an inherent pull for independence, I began a full-time career at 19 as a booth rental hair stylist after only six months of assisting and another few months as a commission hair stylist. Coming from a strong business background, I found it difficult to be anything but in charge of how my personal business structure was set. I love challenges and meeting set goals, so, that has kept my personal and business momentum going. Seeing that there is always an opportunity to advance in any facet of life, I chose horses in my early 20’s and felt satiated after winning a Pinto World Championship in 2007 and set off to party it up in Pacific Beach – and mission accomplished!! I met my future husband, started a family, and moved to rural Aguanga to try to detach from parts of the societal set up that didn’t fit well. We wanted to simplify, unplug, raise our own food, be in the mountains… and we did! We had a small farm and a family of 4, all while commuting to San Diego for my career which was luckily consistently strong through all my personal life adventures. As life unfolded, my next focus was my career. Opening a salon to be able to have complete quality control. To be able to fine tune what I saw to be the perfect salon experience for my clientele… fast forward through a roller coaster ride and here I am, the owner of a salon, the mother of two, the wife of an incredibly patient and supportive man, and a new resident to Temecula, Ca.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I will focus on my career for this one… being in the hair industry, one must not lose momentum. It is incredibly competitive. If you don’t take those classes, someone else will. If you don’t take time to post and advertise, someone else will. I was fortunate enough to grow up with a mother who ran a strong business. She and my father taught me so much about business that I was confident as a booth renter for 15 years before I opened my own salon. I thought I knew what to prepare for, it was tough. The amount of tenacity you must gather and then maintain is intense! Focusing on how to open a salon while juggling a marriage, being a present mother, working behind the chair as a stylist, being a student (I constantly take classes and further education – it’s a MUST!) and remembering to practice self-love was a wild ride. I can’t say I was always present. Looking at social media for any sort of comparison is a slippery slope. Advice for my younger women out there – EYES ON YOUR OWN PAPER!! Make personal goals then crush them, remember to keep your moral high ground and be supportive to your peers, be true to your soul. I think often, “would future Rachel be stoked?”… if not then it takes some pressure off, and I’m able to reroute much easier.
What should we know about Paramount Salon/Spa? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Paramount Salon/Spa is a collection of women who all want the same thing – a cosmetology career in a beautiful, uplifting, and loving environment. With extreme attention to detail, I have noted everything that I have ever wanted as a booth rent stylist and managed to piece it together in a space small enough to maintain quality control not only for the stylists there but also our guests. The Salon has major talent in it. We are all highly motivated to expand our knowledge for this industry, and our clientele can rest assured we are among the Trail Blazers in the industry. I, personally, focus on detail-oriented techniques with cutting and coloring. I excel in color chemistry and attract people who really love to emotionally connect for a few hours and feel confident that they will be leaving with a well-executed service. One thing people in my life know about me is that I don’t like to be tied down and don’t like to settle – so if you’re a client of mine you know I’ll be using top of the line products and offering the best techniques!
Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
First of all – I would say get yourself a good financial advisor and know your business inside and out. I see a ton of young women dive into cosmetology and not pay attention to the business aspect of it. Take business classes, take time to sit and plan, be professional – talk the talk AND walk the walk. Remember that it is okay to change your mind. Give yourself some grace as you grow and get to know yourself. Your needs will continue to change as you blossom from one stage of womanhood to the next. In hard times, remember to be your own knight in shining armor as the only person promised to be in your life from beginning to end is yourself – don’t forget to love you!! This life is beautiful, and we are lucky enough to be in a time where women are thriving and able to be honest, open, and authentic – feed your soul and don’t be lazy about it!
Contact Info:
- Address: 31285 temecula parkway suite 105
Temecula, CA 92592 - Website: Www.paramountsalonspa.com
- Phone: 858-245-5869
- Instagram: @paramount_salon_spa , @rachel.paramountsalon
- Facebook: Paramount Salon/Spa
Image Credit:
Rachel Wittenberg
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