Today we’d like to introduce you to Veronica Lizarraga.
Veronica, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Since I was a kid, I always knew I wanted to own a creative business. I grew up on the west coast with an amazing family. My entire life my family consistently told me that I could be whatever I wanted and any dream was possible. In 2013, I met the love of my life that had dreams just as big as mine and had no fear in conquering them. I decided on a whim to move halfway across the country to my loves home town. I had no idea what I was going to do for work and at this point, I was 23. It was actually his idea for me to go to cosmetology school. He thought it was the perfect match considering my love for art and people. Now, I don’t say this often but he was right. I chose Paul Mitchell the School to study cosmetology. I fell in LOVE with the culture, the family and education. While I was in school full time from 9-5 I also worked nights 6-4 am.
Yes, that meant not a lot of sleep but the best things in life are on the other side of difficult. I graduated on the Deans List and Valedictorian of my class.
Before I graduated, the most difficult thing is deciding what’s next?
I applied at the top three salons in Dallas and had interviews set up. When I got to my first interview I sat anxiously waiting for the manager in the lobby. I looked around and something in my gut told me this isn’t for you. I immediately went to the receptionist and apologized and canceled my interview. I got home that night and spent the next two months educating myself on owning a mini salon. Everyone told me it was nearly impossible to open a successful salon straight out of school because of not having a clientele and they told me it would be even harder for me because I didn’t have the family and friends here to network with. I decided to take a chance and signed a lease to open my salon a month after graduating. July 2019, we will be successfully open for four years. Within that four years, we have been published in magazines, have been on tv, and are a 5-Star salon across all review sites but even better than all that is just being apart of our client’s lives. From celebrating with the client that’s been trying to have kids for years to crying with my client when I was the first one she told she had cancer. It’s more than doing hair and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Has it been a smooth road?
Oh my goodness no! There have been several difficult obstacles to overcome as I mentioned earlier not having a clientele being the first, sacrificing most fun things people do in their early 20s, learning the business side and not just hair: marketing, accounting, and inventory. Breaking into any industry with a small business budget is rather difficult. For example, I have over 50 5-Star reviews that Yelp is currently hiding because we do not have the same budget to pay them as big business has; but that doesn’t stop us from still trying.
Overall, I would have to say the most difficult obstacle was losing my best friend to suicide about a month before starting cosmetology school which was about three weeks after moving to Texas. I told myself that day that I would never give up on anything and I would conquer everything I fear but I also told myself I wouldn’t be close to anyone ever again. I had that mentality for two years until I realized that’s not what my best friend would want and started living the opposite way: It taught me more than anything that people need people which in turn is one of the mottos for my salon: people before hair.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Dolls and Beaus Salon – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
What sets Dolls and Beaus Salon apart from other salons is that it is as much about the people as it is about how you look when you walk out the door. We want everyone that walks out of here to feel happier and more confident before walking in. We are your personal salon where there is a passion for hair. You can see it in the knowledge, styles, and products. At Dolls and Beaus, there is also a passion for personal discovery and growth. We tend to seek out new experiences and embrace the opportunities they provide for changing who we are as people. For example, included in every service is a scalp check for skin cancer because we are certified with Eyes on Cancer. We also believe in giving back to the community and are proud to be an ambassador and affiliate with Wigs for Kids. We specialize in blondes, balayage, and ‘unicorn’ hair.
Who also deserves credit?
Wow, that’s a long list. I feel like everyone that I have met in my life whether it be a good or bad influence has changed me for the better. Although I try to keep the most positive and influential people around me. As Will Smith once said, ‘Look at your last five text messages. Are those people Feeding Your Flames? Or dousing your fire? Put your phone down for just a second and look around. Look at the people around you. Are those people throwing logs on your fire? Or are they pissing on it?’
Looking at my phone the first person is my love, he is probably the biggest influence. He pushes me as much as push him with the consistent question we ask each other after a goal has been accomplished, ‘Okay cool what’s next?’ He’s the first person I’ve met that has as much drive and big goals as me. So, to have him by my side just makes us unstoppable. My second, third and fourth people are a group text with my sisters and mom. Every day, they pick up their phone when I call. To know that there are always people to support you is amazing. My fifth text message is my mentor Joelle. Most of what I know about the cosmetology industry I credit to her but most importantly, she’s taught me patience, compassion, and self-love.
Pricing:
- Balayage $185
- Cut $70
- Consultation $10
Contact Info:
- Address: 6115 La Vista Dr. 302
Dallas, TX 75214 - Website: www.dollsandbeaus.com
- Phone: 3234495678
- Email: info@dollsandbeaus.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/dollsandbeaus
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/dollsandbeaussalon
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dolls-and-beaus-salon-dallas
Image Credit:
Alexis Lauren, Tim Bracey, Xtine
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.
