Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariana Velasco
Hi Ariana, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
As far back as I can remember, I have been fascinated by the beauty industry—hair, skin, and makeup. My mother would take the time every morning to style my hair. I always had a new and different hairstyle which felt as if everyday we played dress-up. I also had a few aunts who were involved in the world of beauty, which definitely piqued my interest even more. One aunt who has just celebrated her 20th year as CEO of her own Beauty Salon in California has always encouraged me to enter the career field of beauty. As I matured, I developed a habit of waking up early before school to focus on styling my hair and treating my skin.
This eventually turned into a 15-year-old me having sleepovers and styling my friends’ hair before school. This devotion earned my mother’s trust, in which she would allow me to style her hair for formal events that she would attend.
At that point, I knew I wanted to be a cosmetologist. What I didn’t realize was how successful I could become in this industry.
Fast forward seven years! I was in search of a salon to excel my career and stumbled across a top rated salon in Alamo Heights looking for a full-time stylist. After just leaving a salon a few months earlier, I thought it was perfect timing and was excited for the opportunity to apply.
When I met the owner of Look Salon, Damian, and manger Dayna, for an interview the three of us clicked immediately. I had never had an interview that lasted over 45 minutes, let alone 2 hours. It was an organic connection and very refreshing to have met people with the same attitude and enthusiasm for hair and business. Damian hired me a few days later after bringing in a model and showing him my skills as a stylist. I was beyond excited to work alongside him and the rest of his team.
Today, I have worked at Look Salon for over three years. I am so grateful to be a part of such a fantastic team and to work at one of the top salons in San Antonio, which is in the downtown area, off of Broadway. Look Salon is not just where I work; it is what I call home.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Has it been a smooth road? Not even close.
However, I never focus on the negative and adjust accordingly to any setbacks that have occurred.
My parents divorced when I was young, and they both remarried, so having four people to please was tough. I went to college to make all of them happy since, in their eyes, it was the safest and most secure route to take. To say the least, I didn’t like it. There was no creativity or enthusiasm, so I wasn’t motivated.
Telling my parents I was going to finish the semester and leave college was the beginning of a bumpy road. I was terrified of telling my parents, but with one set being supportive and helping me find a cosmetology school and the other not so supportive, I was okay with it.
Cosmetology school was basically a walk in the park. When I would clock out of school, I worked part-time at a small salon, doing shampoos for the stylist and cleaning until the last client left. After completing the 1,500 hours required for my cosmetology exam and successfully passing, I earned my license. From there, I began taking clients at the salon where I was currently working.
The owner and other seasoned stylists taught me so much in so little time. Many clients would come into that salon with such fragile and damaged hair that I quickly learned what I could and could not do. There was a lot of trial and error on my part. After working at that salon for a little over a year I felt eager to branch out. When I departed the shop, it was very bittersweet, to say the least, but I was grateful for everything I learned and the time spent with the other stylist.
Moving forward, I wasn’t sure where I was going to land, so I got a job at a Blow-Dry Salon. The job was tough because of management, so I stayed to myself, but the experience I got and the people I connected with were life-changing
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
With almost 4 years of experience I am one of the top hairstylist at Look Salon. I specialize in color, haircuts cuts, perms and blowouts. I’d want to think I’m more known for my haircuts and blowouts. What sets me apart from others is my personality and ambition. Every stylist has their own personalized niche, which is our power as individuals. Something I am most proud of is my tenacity and ambition to be better than I was yesterday.
How do you define success?
I define success as accomplishing a goal one has set for themselves. No matter what it is, success can be achieved even in the most diminutive form. Success for me? Living up to my full potential and accomplishing every goal I set for myself.
Pricing:
- Haircut+blowout- 75
- Conditioning treatments- 35
- Partial Highlight- starting price 115
- Full Highlight- starting price 175
- Full Balayage- starting price 250
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @looksbyariv
