Today we’d like to introduce you to Margarita Leon.
Hi Margarita, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I always knew I had a passion for the beauty industry, hair artistry in particular, from a young age. Like many others, I let self-doubt and fear lead for too long. After becoming a mother and having a son of my own, I knew I had to set an example for him and fulfill my goals and make my dreams a reality to provide a better life for him and I. Being a single mom, I faced challenges of having to provide and had to work corporate jobs for a little while before I could go to cosmetology school and obtain my license. Once I set a plan in place, I set out on my journey to change our lives.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Nothing extraordinary comes easy. And hard work really does pay off! After graduating from Paul Mitchell, being a new stylist in a new industry definitely had its challenges. I took a commission position that would allow me to get real-world, hands-on training and learn the ins and out of the profession. I quickly realized that first salon wasn’t a good fit for me and then found a salon where I was able to grow and excel in my craft while building a clientele. While I learned a lot at the second salon I worked at, it was an hourly position. Which kept me in a situation where I felt secure, but not able to really shine to my full potential and truly provide financially like I had hoped. I was afraid of being a “booth rent/independent stylist.” It wasn’t until a friend of mine introduced me to a salon that at the time had just opened, 50 miles away from my home. It ended up being an opportunity that would change my career and confidence more than I could have ever imagined. I decided to step out on faith and do the things that absolutely scared me in the past, in order to grow my business and step out of my comfort zone. Deciding to work at a salon in a completely new area I wasn’t familiar with brought amazing opportunities that made my 50-mile commute one way totally worth it! I took a huge risk of being unsure if the clients I had would follow me to a new area, I knew I would be starting over and building a name for myself and my business. And the best risk I ever took was on myself. Investing in myself brought new rewards and accomplishments I had only dreamt of!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
What sets me apart from other artists in my industry is my attention to detail and my enthusiasm to make my guests’ visions a reality. I’m a color specialist and balayage/blonding artist! I’m known for being the “Balayage queen!” I love providing my guests the perfect tones to make their hair look its best! I offer a wide variety of low-maintenance/lived-in looks and applications to allow my guests to get the most longevity out of their color. Or, if a guest wants to be a high-maintenance, bright blonde, or rock-vivid color, I offer that as well! My goal is to get all my guests as close to their inspiration as possible while ensuring the integrity of their hair stays intact! Hair health is my main priority and full communication and transparency when discussing hair goals is what I pride myself In. Not only making my guests look amazing but also feel amazing is what makes this career more than just a job; but my passion!
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the COVID-19 crisis?
What I’ve learned the most about the COVID situation was how uneducated the public actually was when it came to the safety of others in a salon setting. Many people were afraid to get their hair done, but many didn’t realize that a salon is actually one of the most sanitized settings you can be in if all protocols and laws are followed. The strict sanitation laws we follow under our licensing allows for a clean, safe environment. And at one time, I wore masks and limited the number of guests in the salon at any given time. It allowed for people to feel safe while receiving services they loved. And while hair services may have not felt “essential” to some and is considered a luxury and not a necessity, it’s still very essential and necessary to be able to provide for my son and I.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @margaritaleonhair
