Today we’d like to introduce you to Dominique Ruiz.
Hi Dominique, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I didn’t have a lot of financial support, and I was a struggling mom of two small children. I went to cosmetology school as a way to be able to offer services from the comfort of my own home since I couldn’t afford daycare or travel expenses. I realized quickly how much of an investment it is to grow professionally, but the ability to work around the life I have and want was so worth it! What started out as a part-time gig to help be near my children is now a full-time career. I’ve been a MUA, stylist, waxer, and hair colorist with a specialty in lived-in color and blonding. I always worked alone and in my own suite but eventually found a salon home! Even now, building my platform to grow a new direction has come with sacrificing every comfort I had. My client referrals and being surrounded by other beauty professionals has been the greatest help with attracting the clientele that fuels my creative passion for what I do while being my authentic self.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I didn’t always profit, could always stay consistent, lost and rebuilt clientele over and over again. I had other jobs and worked nights, but the beauty industry always had my back. The main issue was consistency, which was something I lacked. My personal problems with family or relationships would interfere with how long I would take clients and how often. I had to take accountability, pick my hard, and commit! Training my old mentality new ways meant completely abandoning my previous thoughts and learning new habits that would eventually sustain my business. This meant long nights, early mornings, showing up when I didn’t want to so that I could maintain what I was asking for. I had to stop doubting myself and comparing myself to others and believe in what I had to offer. Imposter syndrome is real, and it had to go to grow!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Currently, I am a full-time hair stylist, and I specialize in balayage, lived-in color, and blonding on dark hair. I really offer an extensive, in-depth consultation for my clients that helps to balance wants vs needs that match their lifestyle and hair goals. Comfort and authenticity are important to have with my clients, and I try to provide that from start to finish. I’m proud of myself for never giving up on a career that is very fulfilling. My clients always refer me to their friends and loved ones and trust they are in good hands. This industry can be catty and materialistic at times, and I’m glad to be able to provide a safe space that just allows the girlies to sit in my chair, let their hair down, and focus on themselves.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Fear is inevitable. Do it anyways. Don’t wait for it to be perfect; just let it come naturally. If it doesn’t sit right with you, find what does. You do not need everything from the beginning, just work with what you have, make a list of goals, and slowly add luxury and fix the price to match! Don’t be afraid to price your worth accordingly. The right clientele will find you; patience is all you need. Also, social media is not real; it is a place of delusion, sometimes with a purpose, but don’t compare your success to theirs. If I could go back, I would have gone to a cheaper school for my hours and sanitation and invested the rest into classes. If you can afford an apprenticeship, the experience is worth it; however, for the girls who can not leave work immediately, then I would just say find every opportunity to learn, whether through YouTube, IG, FB, or anything else online. Fix and maintain your credit and build your business credit so that you are not recycling your profits with your business expenses.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thebaehaus
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094078973622
Image Credits
Ajia Newhouse
