Veronica Moreno shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Veronica, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
In the last five years I have been cultivating a morning routine. The most important time for manifesting and priming is the last few minutes before sleep, or first thing in the morning. The dream-like, alpha state is the most impressionable time for training our brain. I try to use alpha state to put something positive in my mind: a daily mantra, affirmations, guided meditations. I try to drink water or tea before anything, and stretch, even if it’s just on the edge of the bed. I like to listen to Dr. Joe Dispenza, use the Silva Method, and Tony Robbin’s priming on YouTube, but there are so many good resources to choose from! I try to put myself on the right path and then my days tend to go a lot easier. I find it helpful to name gratitude in the morning, and throughtout the day. I use the walk to work to notice and appreciate the gifts of my home, neighborhood, and city.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Veronica at Geofox Studios. Our salon is more than just a place for hair. It’s a community hub: we do outreach, education, networking, and resource re-allocation. We strive to build up all the people in our circle, and we celebrate when are our people are thriving. Our current location is in the hub of Hillcrest, walkable to the best food and nightlight this country has to offer. Our clients tell us they love the vitality of our space, and the intellectual curiosity we facilitate.
This year has been a whirlwind of movies! I had the fortune of working on a full- length feature film that had its world premier in London, UK. Our 48 Hour short-film Project won “best song” this year! Finally, my passion project made its debut at the Cine En El Parque — Chicano legacy film series, in Chicano Park, San Diego. It was amazing to have my friends and family there celebrating our heritage and family stories.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
“My sister is the responsible one, and I’m the care-free one,” I said to a client once. “But, look at what you’ve done?!” She exclaimed. “Your business, your clientele, requires diligent consistency and integrity.” Her words sit with me to this day. Now I do see myself as responsible and professional.
I work hard to care for my reputation. I take myself as seriously as others take me.
I also notice, I used to think of myself as just a hairdresser. Now it’s a thing I do for work. Who I am is an artist. I use my time behind the chair to help people expand their ideas. I like to ask more questions, offer different perspectives. I like to do that with movies and art and painting. I want to make art that has a message. I want to be known more for my message, not how awesome I am at curling hair. Not that it isn’t valuable and important, but I’m expanding too. I’ve been taking my expertise into new mediums and it feels good.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
The last year has been a deep dive into healing my body. I have an autoimmune disorder. I was really struggling with what I could eat. In response to that, I have been experimenting with food programming, including plant-based eating and fasting. I’ve been exploring the why behind my behavior and trying to reorient myself to food, want and comfort, to my own body signals. It’s been powerful to converse with my body about what it needs.
I think treating your body like a temple allows for a deeper connection with the divine, with the world around us, and caring for ourselves is the first step in caring for others. That may be idealistic, but I’m finding that consistency with small changes adds up over time. It’s a worthy investment.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Family togetherness. From someone who has been independent for years, I now see the value of siblings, relatives. They all have a role to play. It’s so strange to me that older and younger generations are so segregated. There is real value in intergenerational engagement. I’m thinking critically these days about how I fit in the web. Family, chosen or given, is critical to our sense of wellbeing and survival. Older folks, I think it’s normal to start asking what kind of network you have, and are you affording it to others? We can start small by knowing our neighbors.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
A few years ago we presented at Paul Mitchell the School, and gave away 10 seats to a hair/makeup photo session. I couldn’t sleep the night before. I was so excited to give them this gift. I was so exhilarated to share my love of the camera, of making people look their best, of educating the new stylists. I’m blessed to have a career and life that allows me to tap dance to work often, but moments like that one are the kind we strive for. This year we’re using our platforms to highlight that joy. Be on the look out for more social media, events, and opportunities for connection!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://geofox.studio
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geometric.fox/
Image Credits
My partner dice moreno took all of these photos.
