Meet Elizabeth Barajas of Artistry 410 Salon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Barajas.

Elizabeth, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I wanted to be a hair stylist since I was a child. I danced ballet Folklorico for many years and loved helping my friends secure their buns in order to properly secure their hair pieces. When it came time to create new hair pieces, I always volunteered to make the colorful pieces that we’d use to perform. My mom always knew when there was a school dance or a party because my house was always full of teenage girls waiting to get their hair done! As I got ready to complete high school, I decided to take a different route in life.

I joined the United States Marine Corps in December of 2004. I served as a Radio Operator attached to Combat Logistics Regiment – 1 in Camp Pendleton. Being stationed in Southern California was such a great experience. I knew that San Diego County was where I wanted to settle down and call it home.

After my enlistment ended in 2009, my husband went through an unfortunate medical situation. Not understanding what he was physically going through or how to care for him motivated me to pursue an education in the medical field. I dedicated 4 years to Rady Children’s working in their primary care clinics as a Medical Assistant in Encinitas and Oceanside. In 2014, my family decided it was time to move back home to the Bay Area. I continued my journey in the medical field working for the VA Hospital from 2014-2015.

In the fall of 2015, I decided to take a leap of faith to pursue my lifelong dream. I quit my full-time position in the Operating Room at the VA Hospital to enroll in Cosmetology School. While in school, I participated in multiple student teams that helped expose me to incredible opportunities in the industry. Since becoming a licensed cosmetologist I have worked with and been mentored by Celebrity Stylist and National Educator, John Vella.

I am also being mentored by an International Educator, Sharon Blain. Sharon’s passion and creativity has helped me out of my comfort zone, allowing me to not only develop my formal styling skills but also create a professional business model. I’ve had the opportunity to assist Sharon with model prep, platform education and onset education over the past 12 months. (2017 – 2018)

After becoming a Beacon winner in 2016, I’ve had the unique opportunity to return as an alumni and assist the Professional Beauty Association’s Education Manager, Kelley McCarthy to facilitate the event for new industry professionals that have won the scholarship.

Recent achievements are as follows:
• 2016 – Pro Beauty Association, Beacon Winner
• 2016 – Published in Fashion Xchange Magazine (Dearly Beloved, A tribute to Prince)
• 2017 – Beauty Changes Lives Winner
• 2018 – Pivot Point, NextGen Artist (Chicago, Illinois)
• 2018 – The Supremes Winner (Bangstyle Global Hair Competition)

I’m now the owner of Artistry 410 Salon in Oceanside, California. I’m enjoying life as a traveling stylist. I’ve found balance in continuing to provide services to my clientele in the Bay Area working as a guest artist at The Madhouse Salon – Fremont, while I continue to build a clientele here San Diego County.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
One of the biggest obstacles has been to manage and maintain a home with 3 young boys and focus on building a new career. When I first started in this industry, I felt like I was a step behind my younger counterparts. However, I learned to not compare myself to anyone around me. We are all running our own race, and everyone’s is different.

Artistry 410 Salon – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Artistry 410 Salon is a heart-warming salon suite that strives to build long lasting relationships by creating a personalized experience between guest and hair stylist.

We are set apart by our continued education and phenomenal work ethic.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is when you find your true self! In life, we have so many distractions, that sometimes we get lost and in the process, we lose ourselves. I feel that when you learn to love and respect yourself for who you are, only then are you able to find who you are truly meant to be.

Finding yourself and your purpose will help determine what your success may be in life. I also feel that success changes with time. What I thought was successful 10 years ago is far from what I believe today, and that is okay because I have grown as a human being over time.

Contact Info:

• Address: 4161 Oceanside Blvd. #101 Suite 36 Oceanside, Ca. 92056
• Website: www.artistry410.com
• Phone: 760-848-7272
• Email: info@artistry410.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artistry410
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artistry410
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/artistry-410-salon-oceanside

Image Credit:
Robert Silver Photography, Jack Lungu Photography, Anthony Friend Photography

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