Hey guys ✌🏼My name is Angelica (@angietriana.hair), I’m 24 years old and and I’ve been behind the chair for 4 years now. Since I was 4 years old, I knew in my gut I wanted to be a hairstylist. I’m originally from New York, but moved to Florida during that time. I remember I used to treat my Barbie dolls as clients, I would cut their hair with the hopes that it would grow back! Growing up wasn’t always the easiest for me. For the majority of my life i was very insecure. I was never 100% comfortable around a full crowd and always felt like an out cast. I definitely wasn’t the popular girl, and a lot of the time, I would let my anxiety get the best of me.
Hair in general always caught my attention, and it was just something that I felt like I understood so easily. Unfortunately, not many people saw it that way. People would literally laugh at me and look at me with confusion when I told them I wanted to be a hairstylist as the college years were coming closer. I was worried about what others would think of me & I didn’t want to be judged. I kept the hairstylist concept to myself and I went to college for 2 years and got my Associates degree for general education. I decided that my backup would be to become a teacher, because I always loved kids! I worked in a preschool for a little less than a year. It was okay, but I knew in my heart I wasn’t happy.
One day I decided to quit that job and attempt to apply at a salon. I was hired immediately and was told that I had to go to hair school in order to keep it. At this point I was excited and motivated. My parents were supportive of my decision, but I could tell they were concerned about if it would work out. I enjoyed hair school SO much and woke up excited to go learn something new. I managed to pick up on a few things at the salon I worked at, but sadly, I wasn’t treated very fairly. I was paid less than minimum wage, worked crazy long hours, spent most of the day cleaning, and was told that I had to be exactly like the assistant they already had to even consider raising my pay even the slightest bit. I left & dedicated myself mainly to my time at school and learn as much as I could. The year in hair school went by quickly! I applied at another salon as well, and my team was great, but I still felt like something wasn’t right. I was able to express myself at school, but I didn’t feel like I could do the same in an actual salon environment. I had anxiety behind the chair and felt my creatively was limited. I didn’t want to think that I made the wrong decision.
At the time, balayage was becoming very popular in salons and we were all trying to figure it out. I learned the basics of it, and then I started watching Guy Tang’s painting videos. He’s always been such an inspiration to me. I thought it was simple to follow & a few of my friends knew i was learning how to do hair, so they asked me if I wanted to practice on them. I wanted to step out of my comfort zone, use new products & really learn the technique, so the only way I felt like I could do that, was to take some clients from home. To this day I thank them for trusting me as a beginner to work on their hair.
By taking my clients from home, I fell in love with my craft 100%. I felt free, motivated, and comfortable with the one on one experience. I ended up leaving that salon as well, and started to grow my steady clientele from Home at age 20. Instagram was definitely a game changer for me when I posted my work & when my friends tagged me. Everyone who sat in my chair was so happy with the outcome of their hair, it helped me boost my confidence. I was getting relatively busy, but I knew that I couldn’t just stay doing hair in my kitchen for the rest of my life. I did this for a year.
Salon suites were starting to become more known, and I had thought about the concept, but just didn’t know how to go about it. But this is where it gets weird!
There was a week where I felt like I needed something more. I questioned myself and thought if I was out of my mind for even thinking of owning a suite at age 21. One day in my mailbox at home, I found a brochure advertising “Bella Salon Suites” which was about 5 minutes away from my house. It showed pictures of the suites there, the other salon owners & availability. That same day I wanted to check it for myself. I went, spoke to the landlord, but I could tell he didn’t take me seriously. He thought I was too young and didn’t expect much from me. He had ONE suite available. I got the good vibes from the place and told him
On the spot that I wanted it. He was hesitant, but he gave it to me. When he gave me my key, I felt all kinds of emotions. I couldn’t believe that I was finally a salon owner.
Even though I’m on my own, I still have my days when I’m a little hard on myself, but I use that to make myself get better and better at my craft. There’s always room for improvement, and I will forever be a student willing and eager to learn new things. Owning a salon is a huge responsibility, but I truly wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve worked hard over the years, and now I book 1-2 months in advance ❤️
My salon name “Hairspraytion” was actually put together by my mom and myself. It’s a combination of hair & inspiration with a little twist. I’ve been a salon suite owner for almost 3 years now and proud! If I didn’t take that step, who knows how my life would’ve turned out to be. Each year I’ve accomplished new goals. My main one this year was taking home the trophy for “Best Natural Hair Color” in the Cosmoprof Licensed to Create Awards!
Anything is truly possible as long as you put your heart, mind and soul into it. Great things come to those who hustle &
Are true to themselves. This industry has opened so many doors for me, and I’ve met so many beautiful personalities. I’m
Forever thankful for my clients who trust me with their hair & have been supportive of me throughout this journey. There are so many more things I want to accomplish, but I know it’ll come with time! Never let anyone tell you what you can or can’t do because you’re “too young” or have no potential, or just don’t believe in you in general. Everyone has a different path, a different story, and a different purpose. Follow your gut.