Today we’d like to introduce you to Gloria Paz.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Gloria. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My dream since I was a little girl was to become a ballerina and retire as one… But OBVIOUSLY life (as usual) had other plans in store!
The reason I’m a hairstylist today is really because of my mom. She’s always wanted me to pursue my dreams and experience life with no regret. So that being said my mom also wanted me to have a ‘back-up plan’ you know, in case I got injured or anything of the sort. Well, that happened… but I’m skipping ahead.
So out of all the options Cosmetology was the best fit for what I wanted in a profession. You can be as creative and out of the box as much or as little as you want to be. That’s the beauty of our industry! I graduated HS and immediately started cosmetology school. By 2011 I was licensed! While getting started in the hair industry I was still dancing and teaching dance at a local dance studio. I was really lucky that starting my stylist career and pursuing dance career worked the first few years. But eventually due to a couple broken bones in my feet I had to stop dancing, and that’s when my passion for hair completely changed.
I had to learn how to translate my love for all things dance into to hair. That is most definitely something I am still doing to this very day! I think it’s an obsession really. I switch back and forth from ballet videos to watching my hair idol Sharon Blaine do some impeccable movements with hair. If you haven’t seen her work you must! I long to be as fluid and as consistent as her! I feel that’s what influence my drive and style. I was very fortunate to have attended one of Sharon’s Boot Camps in Pasadena, CA. And let me just say this, it lit a fire in me! Since then my hands itch to play with hair. I started dabbling with local ‘TFP’ groups in Dallas who are always looking for hairstylists and makeup artists wanting to build a portfolio.
Through this avenue I was able to team up with some BAD ASS local artists! I can say with confidence that they make me work harder and harder. We all hold each other up to a certain standard, which helps us not only grow as people but as artists as well I believe.
It’s important to surround yourself with friends and colleagues who push you and inspire you to be the best version of yourself, physically and mentally. I am beyond grateful for that!
Great, 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?
Your mind can be your worst enemy! Everyone has that feeling of self-doubt I know I struggle with that ALL THE TIME! My boyfriend always reminds me that I need to be PRESENT and in the moment. It’s not bad at all to have goals and a “plan,” but you have to be okay with everything that DOESN’T go according to plan. I mean let’s be honest, what person especially my fellow hairstylists hasn’t felt that way at one point?! With no pressure there’s no diamond and I’m a diamond in the rough!
Please tell us about Hair by Glo Glo.
On social media I go by GloGlo since someone else had used Glo already lol, but my friends and colleagues just call me Glo.
I’d like to say that specialize in Bridal, Production, and Editorial hair styling. I still work in the salon 1 or 2 days a week depending on what my schedule is like, which is pretty crazy when you’re still growing as a freelance stylist. I think what sets me apart from others has to be my willingness to learn and most importantly listen to what the client wants.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite child hood memory has to be the very first time I went to Disney World with my parents. My mom is from Puerto Rico and we would visit my grandma out there all the time! So when I was about 7 years old my mom and dad said we were going to go visit grandma in Puerto Rico for a few days. So we took a “connecting” flight through Orlando. My mom says that the flight was cancelled and that we’re going to have to stay in Orlando and leave the following day. Of course, I’m 7 years old and have no earthly idea what’s going with the flight so I fall for it.
On our drive to the hotel we were going to stay at I see a TON of Disney World advertisements and billboards. I start begging my parents to go and of course they say NO… I WAS DEVASTATED! I literally was bawling my eyes out in the back seat and my mom who at this point is now basically in the back seat with me is holding my head down on shoulder. All of a sudden (after about 10 min of a 7 yr. old bawling her eyes out in a confined space) my dad goes “Nanny look!” (Nanny is my nickname at home.) And when I open my tear filled eyes from my mommy’s shoulders WE WERE ENTERING MAGIC FREAKIN’ KINGDOM!!! Through my now extremely happy ugly cry I yelled “Mommy! Daddy! Y’all are the BEST mommy and daddy in the ENTIRE WORLD!”
I remember that day as if it were yesterday and believe it or not I still get really emotional telling that story! My parents are the absolute best.
Contact Info:
- Website: hairbygloglo.com
- Email: gviv1011@gmail.com
- Instagram: hairbygloglo
- Facebook: hairbygloglo
- Twitter: hairbygloglo
Image Credit:
MUAs: Jami Marie, Joshua Martinez, Karla Lippincott
Models: Daniela Sevilla (Wallflower MGMT), Mary Daniels, Kimberly O’Bryant, Dani Devora, Mckenna Yowell (Kim Dawson), Ally Hatfiled, Joy Marie
Photographers: Pablo Valles, Adrian Stecker, Brandon Michael, Ivan Flores
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
