Hidden Gems: Meet Tomas “Papito” Hernandez-Rojas of Papitos Beauty Lounge

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tomas “Papito” Hernandez-Rojas.

Hi Tomas, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Hello, my nickname is Papito I got it given by my mentor when I started my career. I was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina. And my family is from a very small island named Vieques off of Puerto Rico and St.Thomas, U.S Virgin Islands. I am A Proud Afro-Latino. Also, I am part of the LGBTQ community and advocate. I have always been interested in hair/cosmetology and would do different styles and colors on my hair. Slowly I started working on other individuals and I knew it was what I wanted to do.

My professional career started in 2020 when I got my Cosmetologist Operator License. I was so excited and got the opportunity to work for a Dominican Hair Salon in El Paso, Texas. After 6 months of working there, I challenged myself and started up my business Papito’s Beauty Lounge. Which is a very risky decision but in a matter of weeks I was getting fully booked, some days working from 6 am to 2 am. A full day! I had so many new clients coming to me asking where I was this whole time.

I would say I’ve been here just never challenged myself to go out and try my own thing. Which was a very big change. I had to turn from a stylist that works for a company to me being a full-on entrepreneur, owner of a business, and a stylist at the same time. It was very challenging but as my god-dad says “ if there’s a will, there’s a way”. I had so much faith and skill that luckily I pushed through and never said no to any client. I was always hungry for new opportunities and challenges.

And I persevered in doing everything I wanted, it is a very fulfilling life getting to know so many different people and getting to connect with them on so many levels. I had many clients coming from surrounding cities. After I saw that I was working so hard I said I have to go on my next challenge which is going to a bigger city, I picked San Antonio & moved in December 2021. San Antonio has shown me so much and how to better myself & focus in so many ways. The clients here are very interesting and come from all walks of life which I love.

What has made me so strong in the beauty industry is that I challenge myself daily and love to learn from others. Also, I specialize in all textures of hair, many clients get surprised how I can do their hair in so many different ways when others could not. And that pushes me as well because I have met so many men, women, and kids that when they look in the mirror they are in awe or even cry because they feel so beautiful, and leave my chair feeling confident and proud of who they are and that really touches my heart.

I have always thought to myself of the saying when you love what you do you will never work a day in your life and I really feel that is true. I can’t wait to meet so many people from San Antonio and other areas.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of my biggest challenges was moving to a new city San Antonio, Texas. I had never visited San Antonio before moving here and I was unsure of where to place my business in such a huge city.

My other challenge was getting new clientele in a city where I was unknown. So I had to network and show my work everywhere I would go. Also, I had to challenge myself on the trends here and get to customize it my own way.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Papitos Beauty Lounge LLC is a place where anyone and everyone can come in and get services done. And never feel judged. Here I specialize in natural hair of all types. I specialize in colors, styles, extensions, tape-ins, micro-links, and blowouts. My specialty is The Dominican Blowout, which is very close to the SilkPress, it started with washing the hair very well and getting a deep condition.

After that, the hair is detangled and set into rollers, and sent off into the dryer. The dryer dries the hair with indirect heat and gives it volume, shine, bounce, and straightens the hair. After that the roots are blow-dried straight, then comes the flat iron and seal ends and the hair straight or to a style that the client prefers. Many clients put the hair into what we call a “Dubi” and that’s wrapping the hair circular on the head and wrapped with a mesh head wrap. This can be done every night to secure the look of the hair and give it shine.

It is one of the most protective ways to keep the hair from hair damage. Also, I specialize in growing the hair and giving it health, elasticity, shine, and manageability with the products I use. I try to mostly source my hair products from Brazil and other countries. Another specialty I have is using Hair Botox and Nanoplasty which is overall healthier because it uses natural ingredients and zero formaldehyde to either straighten the hair or keep the curl. It puts in health, shine, and manageability in the hair.

What sets me apart from others is that the health of the hair and scalp are the most important to me.

What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I have learned is to always keep pushing and that the word “never” or “no” is an option. I have learned to always keep positive energy around me and let everything flow how it should. Also, networking has been my best friend, I have learned making connections is the best tool in this industry.

Pricing:

• Dominican Blowout/Silk Press $65
• Papitos Luxury Silkpress $110
• Full Head Color $65
• Nanoplasty W/ HairBotox $275
• Loc Retwist $65

Contact Info:

• Website: http://papitosbeautylounge.booksy.com/
• Instagram: @Papitosbeautylounge
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/papitosbeautylounge/