Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie Salazar.
Hi Valerie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started doing hair extensions as a hobby. I would make my own clip on extensions by buying hair at your local beayty supply stores, i would stack 3-4 tracks and sew clips on to them. the first method i starte doff with was the microweft method,i would install them on friends at no cost,it was just fun to me and then little by little tehy started telling their freinds and family. wor of mouth quickly spread and before you knew it i had girls reaching out to book an appoitment. for the first few months i worked from home at my parents house, i would have my clients sit on a kitchen chair and used my bed as my station all while working fulltime in the dental field. i was so scared to quit my full time job because of the stability but knew if i wanted to grow i had to take that leap of faith so i did. i quit my job and started doing hair extensions full time,shortly after i moved to a studio and it just took off, i was booked months in advance and then started teaching others how to install extensions as well, i moved into 2 different studios before i got my very own salon! i knew i needed help and couldnt do it alone, so i hired 2 of my previous students and a high school friend to join my team. during the time at the salon my business skyrocketed it grew to numbers i never even dreamt of. i was able to purchase my own home and remodel it complete from running my buisness, almost 4 years in having my salon i had a very traumatic break in, the salon was completely wiped out, all my iventory, computer,equipment and tools were all taken i was left with nothing. i felt so devasted and violated. i no longer felt safe at this location and decided to close my doors, it was one of the hadrest decisions i hade to make, i felt defeated, all my hard work over the years was just taken from me. for a few months i felt like i shut down, i wasnt as motivated so i knew i had to do something a little different. i moved into an office building and started selling more hair instead of installing it,since i already had a lot of previous students and an audience. i created a website and started shipping out orders. now about a year and a half into my new space, i felt that feeling of being unmotivated, i realized i missed my salon space and creating content so i began looking into retail spaces, about 2-3 months after searching for the perfect location, i found it! i jiust signed my new lease located in Whittier,CA where i was born and raised. it felt like a full circle moment, back to my roots. i am now in the process of remodeling this new space and starting over, coming soon 2026. i read a quote that stayed stuck in my head it said, “if youre going thru hell,keep going. why would you want to stop there?”
im excited and full of drive to see what the next thing God has in store for my business. im forever grateful for my clients who trsut in our work and follow me after so many moves, love you girls!!!!!
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?
lots of struggles, once i became i business owner i also had to learn all the back end stuff such as payroll, taxes,etc. it all seemed so confusing and overhwleming but the more i did it the easier it became
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
we specialize in hair extensions to be specific the itip method which are individual strands of hair installed one by one, i teach courses and love helping other women level up their career. we also carry the thickest clip on extensions,sold hundreds of sets nationwide
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
i do enjoy reading some of my favorites include “rich dad,poor dad”, the perfect day to boss up by Rick Ross, and the 48 laws of power. i listen to Joel Osteen evry morning, i like to start my days with postivity, and of course i have faith i pray over my business and know Mi Virgencita is always with me
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chulaextensions.com
- Instagram: @chula_extensions
Image Credits
photographers @thebenitophoto and @visiblevibez_
