Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Scavone.
Leslie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I knew I wanted to be a hairstylist and salon owner as young as third grade. I would wake up extra early and blow-dry moms extremely curly hair before she left for her high powered President of the bank position (Bless her heart for trusting me with her hair at such a young age). My sister wanted “more” for me so she tried steering me into other passions like real estate etc. I just never felt truly content until I started on the journey to where I am today.
I was born in Hollywood, California, raised in So. Pasadena. After graduating from high school, I knew I wanted to be a hairstylist, but I listened to my sister and went to College, where I studied abroad at Oxford England. Although I was taking a detour from my dream, the experiences living abroad are still apart of my journey as a hairstylist. Through my travels, I always admired the fashion and hairstyles of the European cultures. I refer to my European experiences often. It’s also a gateway to connecting to my guests. After traveling, studying abroad and a year-long detour to Oahu, Hawaii, I decided to move to San Diego and start my journey as a Hairstylist.
I moved to Mission Beach, San Diego as I attended San Diego City College Cosmetology School. I went full time from 7 am to 3 pm and then worked waiting tables from 4 pm to 12 am. I was a starving student but full of passion. At the end of my two-year commitment in Cosmetology school, I embarked on an assistant position at Robert Cromeans salon. Working at A Robert Cromeans Salon has a big part of who I am today. The ten years spent working there honing in on professionalism, work ethic, and perfecting my craft was monumental. The bar was set high and I am grateful for it. After ten years of hard work, sweat and tears, I decided to try my next business adventure at Salon Ink as a booth renter where the life of an entrepreneur begins. After five amazing years at Salon Ink the dream to own my own salon then became a reality as my friend in Real Estate found the diamond in the rough that is now the Park Salon.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
This journey has not been completely smooth. Generally speaking, this journey has been laid out for me. Once I followed, my passion life has had a better flow. There are always going to be ups and downs. The first five years as a young hairstylist are very hard. Establishing a clientele, connecting and creating that trust between people takes so much emotional strength. Many stylists go through moments that they want to quit. I myself had times of weakness. It’s the passion that lies within that keeps the dream alive day after day. Hairstylist usually choose the industry because they like to make people happy. It takes time to establish the clientele you dream of.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with the Park Salon – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
In my career life, I wear two hats.
I am the proud owner of the Park Salon. This hat is not taken lightly. I am grateful every single day to be surrounded by such truly amazing, talented stylists. The stylists make me a better person, stylist and Owner. Everything I do is for them. Although they are my peers, I feel a sense to protect them any way I can. They drive me to make the salon a better place. Our team has an amazing work ethic and each stylist is so inspiring. I feel so blessed to work with each one of these incredible humans. Each stylist has been carefully selected by the team and together we make the Park Salon a special place for all of our guests.
The second hat in my career life is a hairstylist behind the chair. I am a color specialist mostly specializing in preserving healthy hair. My specialty in color range from natural highlights appearing as they’ve been kissed by the sun to grey coverage looking as natural as the day you were born. Having been born with curly hair, I feel passionate when working with curly hair clients. I love completing a color with a handcrafted haircut. Working behind the chair is my playground. I have to admit it’s the most fun part of my life. After 20 years, my guests are like family. I look forward to seeing them. We grow together through all the milestones in life. I can’t picture myself doing anything else. It gives me the freedom to be present in my family life and work life.
Being a salon owner does take away from my time behind the chair but working for the stylists makes it all worth it. Watching them grow and flourish is so rewarding. Salon Ownership is not easy to say the least. It is the most challenging part of my life but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
My parents and grandparents came from Cuba and become entrepreneurs. My family from a very young age demonstrated that if you work hard, you can make your dreams come true. My mom has always been my biggest cheerleader. I can hear her now saying “You can do it!” To see a family leave their country with only the clothes on their back and make a successful life for themselves not even speaking the language fluently has always been the wind beneath my wings. My mom came from Cuba when she was 15 learned English, started as a teller at a bank then ended as the Executive Vice President as the only Hispanic woman in the industry. Then she opened a Bed and Breakfast in New Mexico. My sister is also a very successful entrepreneur. My mom and sister have always been my role models and definitely set me up for success.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4640 Park Boulevard
San Diego, California 92116 - Website: www.theparksalonsd.com
- Phone: 6198652080
- Email: leslie@theparksalonsd.com
- Instagram: theparksalon
- Facebook: The Park Salon
Image Credit:
John Hewick
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