Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Delgado.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am 23 years old, and I have been a licensed cosmetologist for the last six years. I am very passionate about the beauty industry, I hope you enjoy my story as to how I began my journey. My first job was an at a full-service salon as a stylist at the age of seventeen. I was terminated after two weeks of employment. I was devastated since this was the first time I was employed after I finished hair school. Since that experience, I had it set in my mind that I was not good enough for the hair industry. I gave up. At the age of nineteen, I found employment at a bank, and I went to school for nursing. Soon, I realized that the bank job was not for me. It was very stressful having to worry about reaching sales quotas at the end of every day. Eventually, I left my bank teller job, and I dropped out of school.
I felt relieved and motivated to find a job where my passion was at, to begin with. This was not my greatest move since I was unemployed for six months. It was very difficult since I didn’t have an experience at the time, but I was willing to do what it takes to advance in my career. I finally landed a job at a salon doing blowouts and makeup. After being there for a year at that location, the business had to shut down. Financially, they were not bringing in enough revenue to keep the doors open. I needed to plan my next move. After two years of doing blowouts in various salons, I eventually lost focus on that and wanted to do more. I wanted to expand my knowledge. I wanted to be versatile in the beauty industry to keep a steady flow of clientele. To do that, I realized I needed to step down from my position and become an assistant to gain more education. I wanted someone or a company to teach me color, extensions, and cuts. As an assistant/apprentice, there are contracts you can break without penalty. I didn’t want any attachments.
My goal was to learn as much as I could in less than two-three years, which is required as an apprentice in the salons I have applied to. I looked all over Dallas, I printed out a resume and resume trying to find the best salons in Dallas. I was interviewed at almost every place I applied to. I didn’t want to settle for the first thing that became available. I knew that I didn’t want anything with restrictions as to how fast I can learn. At this point, I became desperate to find someone to teach me.
At age twenty-two, I was still working at a blowout salon. I had a client who would come in to get her hair blown out, her name is Danielle. She was also a hairdresser and had her own small business. We would work doing bridal hair and makeup sometimes. We were a great duo. As I was blowing out her hair, she expressed to me how she was unsatisfied with her current assistant. I instantly put the bug in her ear, “hey girl, if you ever need a new assistant I would love to work for you in exchange for an education.” She listened and she left after her service. Weeks have gone by, I didn’t know where else to apply in Dallas. Eventually, I convince myself that I should just be happy with my current job at the time. The blowout salon wasn’t bad. I had great coworkers. The company worked with my schedule. The pay was good and it was a great place to network with clients. Why not stay and be happy like everyone else who has been there five-plus years? I’ve asked myself. I took those thoughts out of my head of wanting to expand my knowledge.
Later that evening, I received a text from Danielle asking her assistant and if we could meet ASAP. I went off of my intuition and it was telling me to go for it. We met up came to an agreement to work together. I knew I couldn’t let her down. I promised myself this was my last time giving my all into someone else’s company. If this didn’t work out for me then maybe I could go back to nursing school. I tried to be the best assistant I could possibly be. I worked whenever she needed me and as late as she needed me to be there. It wasn’t a big salon it was just her. There was no structure in how I was going to learn and grow. I took that upon myself on my days off to plan classes for myself of what I wanted to learn. I would find hair models. I would ask Danielle one day out the week to teach me anything I wanted. She was an open book. She was also very detailed oriented and any mistakes I would make, she would have made me redo it or correct my work until it was perfect. It wasn’t easy at times, but I never gave up. The more days I was assisting, the more I became more knowledgeable about hair.
I loved learning and at that point, I was attached to that girl’s hip. I wanted to know what she was doing and why she was doing it. What does she see when creating gorgeous hair for her clients? She didn’t mind all of my questions. She loved teaching. I had a notebook where I would write notes. At the end of the workday, I would come home and go over everything she has taught me for the day. There I was, working seven days a week, working as an assistant full time, and taking models for my classes. I was proud of my progress. I would post them on Instagram. Eventually, I had people message me inquiring about prices and wanting to book an appointment. I was shocked that my hair models brought me potential clients. I eventually started to charge a low price to build a clientele. I noticed that photos on Instagram helped me bring in business.
One year of hard work and dedication, my clientele grew but I was still assisting. I wanted to be on my own. I eventually grew out my job title. Fast forward, Sept. 2018 at 23 years old is when I opened Glamour By Melissa Salon. My drive for my business grew 10x more. Every girl that sat in my chair, I wanted to keep as a client forever. My relationships with my clients are so important to me. I wanted my clients to feel very comfortable because I believe we all have had at least one horror hair story. I made sure I put the same energy in for each and every client. I didn’t allow myself shortcuts if I knew the outcome wouldn’t be as good as if I took longer. I tried to create something gorgeous for each and every client. I made my clients feel more beautiful and confident. My client would leave my salon with a smile but also gaining a friend who they can trust.
Now, it’s only been four months and my journey doesn’t stop here it just begun. Let’s see what the next couple of years I can accomplish. I hope this story inspires anyone to go for what your heart desires, never give up, and enjoy the struggle of finding yourself in all aspects of life. I promise the outcome will be amazing in whatever you create.
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?
The road to success is never smooth. You will go through obstacles and challenges. It’s never to break you but to make you stronger. Always look at your mistakes and the times you have failed as life lessons. You know you will never create again. One thing I’ve learned about myself is to trust your intuition. It never fails you. Don’t doubt yourself. Jump! Do it! There always time to fix it if it doesn’t work but you will never know unless you try. Lastly, everyone has there own time to grow. Never compare yourself to someone else. You create your own outcome.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I specialize in Balayage, Extensions, cuts, special events makeup, and hairstyling. What I feel that set me apart from everyone else is that I am very versatile. I would like to say that I like to perfect my work in anything that I do. I want to be that girl that you can come to you for any of your beauty needs. My clients will always receive quality work. What I am most proud of in my business is the relationships I have to build with my clients. They come first. My customer service has to be top notch. I make any new clients feel welcomed and comfortable. I’m very honest and opened with my clients. I am a huge believer that educating your clients to ensure them that they pick the right hairstylist. Now that they are knowledgeable.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
In my eyes, I believe that women are a lot stronger then we believe in ourselves. We can create their own opportunities for ourselves. Not always we need to seek an opportunity. Be unique, do something different, be an open book to your clients and your social media. Neck work with random people. Build a brand for yourself. Promote your business. We are all leaders. I feel that those opportunities would just open up for you. Those opportunities will turn and look for you.
Contact Info:
- Address: 7330 Gaston Ave #103 studio 14 Dallas, TX 75214
- Website: www.Instagram.com/Glamourby_Melissa
- Email: glamourbymelissa1@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/Glamourby_Melissa
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/glamourbyMelissa1
Image Credit:
Melissa Delgado
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