Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Picazo.
Monica, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My journey in the beauty industry started in high school. After watching my older sister take ROP cosmetology and turn it into a career, I decided I would follow in her footsteps. Myself and one of my best friend that was an aspiring fashion designer would talk about her designing clothes and me doing hair and makeup for her fashion shows in New York. Dream big right? I graduated beauty school before high school and started working in the salon environment. I never thought it would be my “career” because I thought accounting and business was the direction I wanted to go in. After taking some college courses, I quickly realized an office setting was not for me. One year into my cosmetology career, I wasn’t happy at the salon I was at. I came across my new home Acappella Hair Design and 14 years later, this was no longer just a career; it became a passion. It became an obsession.
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?
I wouldn’t say it was the easiest for me personally. When I found Acappella (at the time a booth rent only salon), I knew it would be a risk making the switch only having a handful of guests. My first year at Acappella, I became a new business owner, my marriage ended and I became a completely single mom and sole provider to my baby boy. After two weeks of having my son, I HAD to go back to work. With the support of my entire family and sacrificing a lot of time with my son, Josiyah, my business went from three days to 4 to 5 and eventually seven days 60+ hour work weeks including any education I was able to attend. To everyone just beginning their journey, I would say use all the tools given to you to promote yourself. We didn’t have Instagram and social media to help promote the way they do now. Education is HUGE in this industry so never stop taking classes. Leaving your personal baggage and drama at the door when you walk into the salon is huge. They aren’t paying to see you sad or mad or stressed. They want a calm enjoyable experience. Lastly, don’t put yourself in a bubble. Dabble in all aspects (color, cuts, men’s barbering, formal styling) you may surprise yourself and fall in love with something you were once fearful of. Stay late, come in early if you have to. It’s all part of the building.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Hair by Monica Picazo – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
The girls I worked with, at the time, didn’t like to do formal styling, men’s cuts or makeup. So, I made that my “specialty.” For about seven years, I was doing about 25-30 weddings a year and still slowly building my business behind the chair. As my business behind the chair was getting booked up, I became a serious workaholic. So, I had to make the decision to start backing away from weddings to focus on my son’s extracurricular activities and now am behind the chair three-four days 10-12 hour shifts and only do special event styling upon request. I specialize in custom color, precision haircuts, keratin smoothing treatments, and men’s barbering.
I’m proud to be where I am. I have solid work and family balance… finally. I feel like I truly have the most amazing guests. I’m sure all hairstylists feel that way BUT I truly adore mine. And I 100% leave my personal issues at home and my “job” is to focus on them and make sure I’m listening to what they need like any relationship. I connect with my guests and learn from them on many levels. Not only can I make them feel good about themselves and listen to them, but I get fulfillment as well. We talk music, real-life events, parenting, movies, books, podcasts, relationships, exercise, diet… the list goes on. I have the best “job”!
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
I don’t feel that there are a lot of barriers for women or men in the industry. At least I never felt there was in this industry. That’s the beauty of it. As long as you’re willing to put your time, sweat and tears (because there will be tears. Either from feeling defeated or from empathizing from a story you heard behind the chair or just tears of joy and accomplishment), possibilities are endless in this industry.
Pricing:
- Hair cuts start at $65
- Hair color average $100 an hr
- Men’s haircuts $45 (includes a relaxing hot towel and scalp massage)
- Keratin smoothing treatment starting at $225.
Contact Info:
- Address: Acappella Hair Sesign and color Studio 28780 front st. Suite c-8 Temecula, CA 92590
- Phone: 951-252-5760
- Email: mspicazo@me.com
- Instagram: @Hair_by_monicapicazo
Image Credit:
Adrianna Ybarra, Michaelle Kelly, Jack Kelly
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