Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Gomez.
Amanda, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have vivid memories of being a young girl, visiting my grandmother’s salon that she worked in. The social aspect of a salon always got my attention. I loved walking in seeing all the ladies chatting and laughing with one another. During the summers, I would spend the night with my grandparents almost every weekend. On Mondays, my grandma would do all her banking. She would have me help her get her to check deposits ready, organize her cash and of course she’d throw in some story about finances and running a business that would later be a life lesson. As I got older, I always thought I would get my license to be a hairstylist and use that as income to pay for me to get through college.
At the young age of 15, I became pregnant with my oldest son. I didn’t want to be the stereotypical teenage mom, so I knew then I had to push myself to do more. I started the cosmetology program through my high school my junior year. It was a two-year program that allowed for licensing upon graduation. My senior year Toni&Guy recruiting team came to our school and by Jan ‘05 (six months before my high school graduation) they offered me a job. That’s when my career began. I apprenticed for them for about six months while learning their techniques during our model night classes and graduated high school on time with honors. Soon enough, I was full time on the floor cutting and styling hair. My high school sweetheart and I had my second child when I returned from maternity leave, I took accepted a position as an assistant manager of Toni&Guy Stonebriar in Frisco. I gained such a loyal clientele at this location and learned all the ins and outs of what it took to run a salon.
A couple of years passed and then, we had our 3rd child. Once he came along, I stepped out of the management role to focus on our growing family. I transferred locations to Plano, where I became a Master Stylist. As time went on, my passion for styling continued to grow but I just felt like I was missing something. Toni&Guy was departmentalized so I was only allowed to cut and style. That’s when the light bulb came on!! I wanted to be able to offer my clients “total looks.” In 2012, with my husband by my side, I took a leap of faith and left the company that taught me to be the hairdresser I am today. It is one of the scariest moves a stylist can make.
Going from working for a corporate salon to being a suite renter and operating your own business requires money, dedication, loyal clients, long hours and lots of prayers. Four hairdressing friends and I found a new salon suite being built in West Plano and fell in love with the space. We were able to get a big room that seats all five of us where we run our individual businesses out of it. It has been six years + that I have now been running Blushing Crowns Hair out of City Salon Suites and Spa Plano. I have blossomed so much and have been beyond blessed to be where I am today. Now offering color, cut, styles, makeup application, keratin treatments, bridal services and more!!! Finally offering that “total look.” My grandmother always taught to get up every day, get yourself ready, put your makeup on, and fix your hair. She instilled that by doing so would keep you in a mindset. I’m honored to have helped beautify my stay at home parent clients, my working clients, my college and high school clients by assisting them in feeling good in their own skin. It’s so rewarding to have someone sit in my chair and watch them leave feeling good about them self with smiles on their faces. Sometimes, it’s the free “therapy” a stylist gives. I also get the opportunity to get out of the salon and travel to onsite locations to glam up brides and their parties for their special day. I have been able to team up with boudoir photographers offering hair and makeup services to help empower women to find their inner beauty. Being an independent stylist has been so fulfilling for my own personal growth and providing for my family.
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?
Definitely not a smooth road for multiple reasons. Any time a stylist moves you risk losing clients. Especially when going from a corporation to independent stylist. Being independent you’re in charge of your own education. We constantly have to find ways to reinvent ourselves, stay trendy and keep offering current services. There’s always fluctuation when it comes to busy times and slow times of the year. Maintaining a steady flow of income and availability is important. We have welcomed our 4th child which requires some time off. So, building a personal relationship with each of my clients have been very important. It has allowed me to have a family and a rewarding career. Through all the bumps in the road, I remind myself daily to not settling for less than what I’m worth and never give up or letting obstacles stop you from your dreams.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I currently offer cut, color, styling, keratin services, makeup applications, specialty styling, and bridal services. I’m also a rep for Rodan and Fields, one of the top skin care brands on the market. I am most proud of continuing to gain new clients through referrals. When my regulars send me someone new that’s how I know I’m doing a good job. I feel that my honesty sets me apart from most stylist. I have my clients best interest at heart. I will never tell my clients I can give them a look that simply isn’t suitable for their lifestyle or type of hair. There are many stylists that are simply going through the motions, doing services that they know aren’t going to work for the client when they get home. That just isn’t me. My clients are my walking billboards. I want them to be proud to walk around and sport their fresh look.
What were you like growing up?
I have always been a beauty product hoarder! I’ve always loved makeup, hair care, and fashion. As a real young girl, I was cutting and styling all my Barbie dolls hair! And of course, soon enough I was sneaking
in the restroom at home, cutting my own long locks over the toilet. In hopes that I would flush it and my mom would never know. Ha! It never worked. I would leave the tiniest evidence behind and get busted. Sunday’s were my favorite because my grandma would let me put on some of her makeup and use her fancy curling irons in order to get ready for church. When I got to high school, during class, I would get sidetracked looking at all the girl’s hairs, just daydreaming of all the cuts and colors I wish I could do on them.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5813 Preston Rd.
Plano, TX 75093 #554
Room 403 - Phone: 214-578-2346
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/blushingcrownshair
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/blushingcrownshair/
Image Credit:
Marci Parker w/Gallery Moments, Katty Strite, Ross Stewart, Charis Studios, Shore Shooters
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