Today we’d like to introduce you to Carla Juarez Avila.
Hi Carla, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I originally set out to pursue a career in the medical field. In high school, I had hoped to complete cosmetology school to help pay for college, but my academic workload made that impossible at the time. When I got to college, I was quickly humbled—after years of earning A’s without much effort, I found myself struggling to adjust to the new challenges and pressures of that environment. On top of that, I was balancing the realities of young adulthood and personal stress. Eventually, I made the decision to follow a different path and enrolled at Paul Mitchell in Arlington. As the daughter of immigrants, I was nervous about how my parents would react, but my mom came with me on the tour and told me she could see it was the perfect place for me. Looking back, I realized that hair had always been a part of who I am. People often complimented the way I did my own hair growing up, but I never recognized how naturally it fit into my life until I decided to make it my career.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, and like many college students, I faced my share of challenges. There were times when I struggled with motivation and balance, especially while working full-time to pay for school on my own because I didn’t want to take out loans. On top of that, I lacked confidence in myself and felt nervous about stepping into a completely new career path—one I had never originally planned to take. I also went through personal hardships, including heartbreaks and friendship changes, which tested my focus. However, through it all, I stayed grounded in my purpose. I knew this was something I truly wanted, and I refused to let my circumstances or self-doubt stand in the way of achieving my goals.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in women’s hair, focusing mainly on blonding and color services, as well as extension services. I originally became known for my blowouts—especially for how long they last and the volume and body I’m able to achieve. I also like to do bridal styling or hair styling in general. (My truest passion) What I’m most proud of is that I’ve never allowed anyone else to dictate the direction of my career. There have been people who pretended to support me for their own benefit and moments where I doubted myself, but I never stopped believing in what I was capable of. I kept pushing forward, even when things felt uncertain, and I’m really proud of that resilience.
Interestingly, I was actually invited to do this interview a few years ago, but I turned it down because I didn’t feel like I had accomplished enough yet. Now, I feel confident in my craft, my growth, and the way I treat people.
What sets me apart is the level of care and intention I put into every client experience. I truly understand the emotional side of hair—how a bad cut or color can affect someone’s confidence. I especially love working with clients who have long, thick hair or who are nervous about trusting someone new, because I’ve been there myself. My brand, You by Carla, is all about making it exactly that—about you. It’s not about what I want or what I think looks best; it’s about making sure every client feels seen, understood, and comfortable. Whether they want to talk, laugh, or simply enjoy a quiet appointment, I want them to leave feeling refreshed, confident, and beautiful inside and out.
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