Today we’d like to introduce you to Isidro Morales Jr
Hi Isidro, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was inspired as a kid. My aunt worked at a barber shop in Chula Vista California and she used to bring me in on the weekends to sweep the hair and run errands for the barbers. In return I would get a tip from each barber. About 3-5$ times 10 barbers. I would earn about 40-50$ on a Saturday. I’m talking about the early 90’s that was good money for a eight year old.
I have always been drawn to doing my cousins hair, I grew up around a bunch of girls. I would do there hair for special occasions, and began to gain the practice of doing updos before 18. Once I graduated high school I entered cosmetology school in 2001 and graduated 2002 from California Hair Design Academy. I had the best teachers, I will always be very grateful for their support and always giving me the positive vibes to keep going. They saw a brilliant hairstylist.
I began to learn all the different types of services in the cosmetology field. I learned that I had a passion for this. I was blessed to be surrounded by great peers and mentors and they saw that I had a gift so they pushed me to any education course to advance. I fell in love the color. The corrections, the chemistry behind, and watching the immediate transformations that this service could bring to a client.
I really enjoy being of service. In the salon I have been a therapist to my clients, I have been connected with various resources.
This recent year I had the privilege to work the with homeless community through Alpha project. I was able to bring feee haircuts once a month to families in the family shelter in barrio Logan.i am still no done learning. I am blessed!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been easy. One of the challenges I faced was poverty, I grew up with my elder grandparents and during school I was also there caregiver at 18 years old.
Back then I faced a lot of obstacles living as a gay man. There was a lot of prejudice and stigmas that surrounded us.
But I have been able to break through all this.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I especialize in color and smoothing treatments. I enjoy doing highlights, full color, color corrections. I have worked with various color lines, an the Brazillian Blow out.
I had the opportunity to be part of the Latino Hair Show in Anaheim California in 2005, working with various color lines such Jingles international, Framesi, Chenice, Joico, Farouk Systems, and Alfa Parf.
I also worked three consecutive years for Sephora in Fashion Valley California as a make up artist.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I have learned that being of service to the community is a priviledge. Being trusted by your clientele is a privilege. It can only be achieved through practicing humbleness, open mindedness, and over being passionate for helping others.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Hairbyisidro
