Today we’d like to introduce you to Priscilla Moreno.
Priscilla, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. I am 24 years old, I graduated from Sunset High School, then went to UNT in Denton for one year. After thinking about what I really wanted to do in life at the age of 19, in June 2014 was when I decided to change my career path and stir my way to something I’ve been passionate about. After finishing my first year of college at UNT in Denton, I started searching and touring different cosmetology schools. All were amazing but one stood out to me the most, I decided to enroll at Paul Mitchell in Arlington. Soon enough, I started in August as a full-time student going on Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm. I truly was blessed to have a support system when I decided to go to cosmetology school. Almost a year after I finished my 1500 hours, I had passed my written and off to take my practical state exam. August 2015 is when I received my Cosmetology license and was ready to start working but the struggle was real trying to find a salon. Every salon I looked into was looking for experienced stylists. It almost made me think twice about my career, thinking “man was this the right thing to do.” I came across Drybar where they only wash, blowout and style hair. Styling hair was always something I loved so I figured why not start here. I started working at Drybar in Northpark mall and well, I loved it. This was my actual first job, so all of this was new to me. Working there helped me get out of my comfort zone, build my clientele and my work ethics. I loved everything about it, the atmosphere and everyone who worked there was so friendly but after working there for about two years, it was time for me to expand my knowledge. I wanted to start doing color and cuts on women’s hair. There was this particular salon that had caught my attention close to where I lived.
Way before working at Drybar, I always passed by that salon and I would turn over to see it, say to myself “I am going to work there, that’s my dream to be there.” After applying twice & going through two interviews, they saw how truly I wanted to work there. Right in that moment after my interview, they asked me if I can come in to shadow the stylists and get the groove of working with them. I couldn’t believe it, I couldn’t thank God enough for never leaving my side. December 2016, the manager had called me to give me the great news. I put in my two weeks at Drybar and before you know it I started working at The Mod Labb! Yes, The Mod Labb!! 2017 is when I started working at The Mod Labb. We start off as an assistant, helping with color, foils and blowouts. After at least a year of assisting the stylists who have been working there for over three years, we have the opportunity to take clients on Sundays and Mondays. Then, when we feel comfortable enough to start taking our clients on the floor, we talk to Jake, the salon owner, and discuss the days we can take clients part-time. Working two years now at The Mod Labb, I can say how blessed I am to be working with an amazing and hard working team. Not only the stylists are my co-workers but more like family. Where we work together as a team to encourage and build up to become the best. Up until now, I am happy where I am with my career and I’m thankful for all my supporters.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Of course, we all go through obstacles and struggles when we are on the road to success. It’s all up to you and your determination that will help you get pass through the good and bad. One thing I remember when I started cosmetology school, I didn’t know how to drive. So, my dad told me, you are gonna need to learn if you want to go to school. Every day, he would take me to school I had to take over the wheel and drive to Arlington. It took me like five months to learn and finally get my driver’s license. I also had two very special people in my life pass away, my grandma and her daughter which was my godmother. These things in life make you realize how life is short and if there’s something you want to do in life, to just go for it. Once I started my career in cosmetology, I dealt with a lot of mistakes and errors. Whether it was cutting a client’s hair incorrectly or wrong hair color, I grew from the failures and never gave up. I was scared to ask questions because I felt ashamed of my mistakes but I learned it’s ok to ask no matter if you think it’s a dumb question. I encourage all women who want to be a part of this industry to never give up, hustle and do your best. The more you promote and advertise your work people will see you and that is what will help you get clients behind your chair. Passing out your business cards, making an Instagram that shows your work is going to help you be known.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about your business – what should we know?
I have been working at The Mod Labb for two and a half years now and I love it. I am also an Updo/styling specialist there, meaning if anyone needs an updo or hairstyle service for a special occasion I can take good care of them. Styling hair has always been something I love to do. I use to be the only one who took care of that service but now I have encouraged two other stylists there to follow my steps. They now take clients as well for updos and hairstyles. Seeing that makes me happy because a lot of stylists fear of updos and watching my co-workers take a risk at doing them makes me feel proud. The Mod Labb has a system to classify the stylists working there meaning it goes by a tier, Junior, Senior, Master stylists. It goes by how long you’ve been working behind the chair at The Mod Labb. I am one of the senior stylists. I mostly do hair color and styling, before working there I had no clue on techniques or anything about Highlights and Balayage. Those two are color techniques we use to create the blondes. I can say I’m proud of how far I’ve come in this industry. It hasn’t been easy but with my hard work & determination, I can keep going. Now that I’ve been doing hair for four years, and I see the assistants helping us at The Mod Labb, it reminds me that was me in their shoe. Every new client I meet, I try my best to give them my all in customer service, making sure they feel comfortable and always checking on them. It gives me joy when they praise me how much they love my work. Especially when they are returning clients or they tag me on their Instagram photos because I feel amazing knowing my clients are happy and satisfied. No matter what I have going on in my personal life, I always try to go in to work with a positive attitude and smile.
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
Growing up, both of my parents always supported my siblings and me in anything we wanted to do. They always told us we had to work hard and do our best in school if we want to be successful in life. My parents were very strict with us and although at times I didn’t like it. Now that I am older, I’m thankful that they were. Knowing that I couldn’t fail my tests or that I always had to bring my report card passing over 70 in all my classes. I made sure that I did my very best to make them both proud. Now that I am older, I remember all that hard work I accomplished and how I treated others has impacted who I am today. My parents love when others speak well about my siblings and me and they feel very proud of what we do.
Pricing:
- My Balayage/Highlights price start at $245
- Updos $85 (different if on location)
Contact Info:
- Address: The Mod Labb
1316 W. Davis
Dallas, Texas 75208 - Website: https://www.themodlabb.com
- Phone: 214-725-5866
- Email: priscilla.moreno3@icloud.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/beauty_bypriss?igshid=1c52tkiqtws2z
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Beauty_bypriss-984024535031453/
- Other: https://squareup.com/appointments/book/90DD1SG45WMY5/the-mod-labb-dallas-tx
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