Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Cano.
Nicole, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
It was actually my parent’s idea for me to do hair. I had always had another plan for after I graduated high school but things weren’t falling into place, so they suggested I go to hair school. We decided for me to go to the TONI&GUY Academy. At that point, I was told there was a four-month waiting list to even start. When I went in for my interview, it was the end of December 2003 and I wouldn’t start until the beginning of March. I got a call that very next week after my interview that there was a spot that had opened up and that it was mine if I wanted. I ended up starting that NEXT Tuesday the beginning of January 2004.
I graduated in September of 2004 and started right away at the Vista Ridge TONI&GUY. I worked at that location for a few months and then was transferred to the Stonebriar location where I worked until June 2009 when I decided to leave after having our first baby in July.
I only took off five weeks after our son was born because of the amount of people asking me if I was coming back. It was amazing to me how many of my clients wanted to follow me from that location to Lewisville where I worked for 18 months. So, I continued to cut and color for the ones who wanted me to.
My husband is also a hairdresser (that is how we met) and around this point, it was November 2010 and he had decided that when we had our 2nd baby (coming in January 2011), he wanted to leave the salon he was working at and we have our own suite. Oh my goodness, how stressful but we made it work!
We ended up at Delaney Salons in Coppell, TX in January 2011 and have been there ever since. I came back to work three weeks after our daughter was born. I switch off with him so we work one at a time, so our now four kiddos don’t have to go to daycare. I currently work during the week and do weddings on the weekends.
Has it been a smooth road?
I have really been blessed early on in my career having a wonderful clientele base. With that being said, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Sometimes, it felt like when I was younger, some of the other stylists who had been in the industry for a while didn’t like the fact that it didn’t take me long to grow my clientele, so there would be roadblocks put in place to slow me down.
I think anytime you go into business for yourself there are always going to struggle. The struggle of work/home life. The struggle of the unknown. Not working too much (because I have a tendency to do so-ha) but making sure you are working enough to sustain a life. When I went into business for myself, I had clients but would still have empty slots here and there during the day which would stress me out because if I am not working, then I am not making money.
Fast forward and now because of word of mouth, social media, and loyal clients I am booked four to six weeks out. I never in a million years would have ever thought I would be this busy but feel very thankful that I am. All the roadblocks, speed bumps, and criticism from others were stepping stones to help me be where I am today and so I wouldn’t change a thing.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Queen of Crowns Beauty story. Tell us more about it.
What don’t I do, lol. I cut and color in the salon during the week. When I worked for TONI&GUY, I specialized in cutting and styling. I was known as the “bob queen.” I could cut those all day, every day! Don’t get me wrong though, I love cutting all lengths of hair. I learned how to color in school also so when I went out on my own I started doing that more. I really enjoy taking independent education. I recently just got back from Connecticut where I took a class by Jamie Sea, @prettylittleombre, for balayage. I also took several classes last year from the Business of Balayage as well. I think that is one thing that sets me apart is going and taking the advanced education from pioneers/trailblazers of the field and bringing it back to give my clients the color they are looking for. I am always looking to grow and expand myself.
I have always loved to do specialty hair so back in 2012, I decided to start advertising on theknot.com. Little did I know, my wedding business would explode and I would have up to 30+ weddings a year. I earned the title “The Best OF” six years in a row for theknot.com and I also earned theknot.com “Hall of Fame” three years in a row as well. I do both specialty hair and makeup for all occasions, traveling to the venues or having my beauties to come to see me at my salon suite. There is nothing like making a bride, mother’s of grooms/brides feel beautiful on their wedding day or just making a woman feel good about themselves going to a special event. I absolutely love seeing someone looking at themselves in the mirror and seeing them radiate in confidence.
When you come and see me, you can expect me to pay attention to detail and give you the best possible experience and maybe a few stories along the way! I love to truly get to know each and every person that comes and sits in my chair. There is nothing like the sweet friendships I have been able to make with my clients over the years. They really end up being like family!!
As a company, I am proud of how far I have come at such a young age. Proud of starting at the bottom and working the last 14 years to get where I am today. I can’t take all of the credit though. My sweet husband has been amazing at supporting me along the way along with my family!
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Success to me is when my clients keep coming back or when I get a text or phone call that says thank you for making me feel beautiful or you gave me exactly what I wanted. To see the pep in their step and the smile that beams from a new found confidence in the way they look and feel.
Success is when I continue to grow not only with me being busy and booked every day, every hour but when I grow myself with my education and wanting to always learn and push my limits.
Contact Info:
- Address: Delaney Salons
120 S Denton Tap
Coppell, TX 75019
Suite 305
Room 105 - Phone: 469-682-3861
- Email: queenofcrownsbeauty@gmail.com
- Instagram: queenofcrowns_beauty
- Facebook: Queen of Crowns-Hair & Make Up by Nicole Cano
Image Credit:
Nicole Cano
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