Today we’d like to introduce you to Charmaine Matic.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As a little girl, I was fascinated with hair. My mother said I would always have an observation and a compliment about women’s hair.
I grew up to be totally obsessed with hair, make-up, and clothes. I was the perfect candidate to enroll in Cosmetology school. After graduation, I apprenticed with a gifted and creative teacher, who was also the owner of the salon and very cool. The whole energy and vibe of her salon made it the place that I wanted to be in the heart of Del Mar!
As time went on, things in my life changed in so many ways. I liked doing hair, but it was becoming work and not the creative art I wanted to pursue. What I didn’t realize then is that I didn’t like working for someone else and being told what to do. It didn’t feel good to me. I could take it or leave it.
After several years, I decided to open my own salon, it became my dream that burst into reality. In 2002, my salon, Charmed on Cedros Hair was born in the prestigious Cedros Design District, home of the famous music venue The Belly Up. This super cool street was the only place that I would be. I started with 4 chairs and quickly filled them up. Stylists came and went, just a part of this business that you get used to, but the salon kept going.
In 2007, Charmed on Cedros won for Best Salon in The Reader’s Choice Awards. That was so exciting! A year later I decided to expand the salon. It was a lot of hard work, late nights and hard lessons learned, yet it was the most beautiful salon imaginable and it was mine. It was another part of my sweet dream coming true. As sweet as it was, it was not always an easy road.
With the most beautiful hair salon on Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach came many challenges. Expanding the salon and being on the brink of a major recession, I managed to keep the salon going and thriving. It was not easy and there where many stressful periods, but thankfully, I got through them. Charmed on Cedros was still successful while, unfortunately, many salons and businesses were closing. That was sad. I kept the expanded version of the salon from 2008 through 2013. I then decided to reduce the size back to the smaller, more economically manageable version. That worked out perfectly for a while, yet I still was the owner and dealt with many challenges. And, through the years, the salon changed and was no longer the vision it once was and did not reflect on me the way I wanted. Truthfully, I wasn’t happy.
It was a big decision to finally close what I once worked so hard for. I proved to myself that I could do this and run the show. I did have it in me. But, I needed to get back to what I loved and missed, my passion to create beautiful hair and focus on my craft.
I am completely grateful for the people who helped me to achieve my dream and for everyone else who worked with me. Without them, I would not have grown. 16 years in business was filled with the good and the bad. It was hard work and, I have to say, I’m proud of what I accomplished.
After closing Charmed on Cedros, I moved to Salon Republic in Del Mar Plaza. I now have my own studio in a very cool place. My joy and love are back in my heart, my passion for doing hair has fiercely returned inside of me. My focus is completely on my guest sitting in my chair. I feel proud of my work. I’m very happy and my clients are too, and they get all of me without the distractions of owning a salon. I’m a perfectionist period. I create to the best of my intentions. Hair painting balayage, all color, and cuts are my specialty. l enjoy creating the right look for each guest. Along with hair, I also do make-up and photo sessions to create a total look, so my guests can feel their best and leave feeling refreshed, vibrant and more loved.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Has it been a smooth road? Sometimes yes, and sometimes no. In the case of no, the most memorable struggles revolved around making big business decisions. These were always tough times and I found the best approach to have patience and prayer. Sooner or later, I would find the answer and move forward. And most of the decisions I made following this process resulted in positive results.
Please tell us about Charmaine Matic.
I am known for being a very hard worker and a very creative person. I specialize in balayage, color, highlights, color correction, and trend-setting fashion color.
As for haircuts, I specialize in lobs, bobs, layered cuts, long and short hair.
My focus is that the color and haircut go hand in hand with a persons lifestyle and what they want to do with their hair.
What I am most proud of is how a client feels sitting in my chair and if they are happy with the end result.
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
I don’t have any advice for finding a mentor but I do have advice once you find one. From my experience of mentoring in the past, I found that the best results happen when the protege is willing to listen, learn and work hard. So, when someone finds a good mentor, be willing to learn, work hard and don’t be discouraged by mistakes. Instead, listen and learn from them.
Contact Info:
- Address: Salon Republic Del Mar Suite 203
Room 4
1555 Camino Del Mar
Del Mar, CA 92014 - Phone: 858.205.5099
- Email: charmainematic@gmail.com
- Instagram: @whatsupincharmainesworld
- Facebook: Charmaine Matic Style Hair
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