Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Ochoa
Hi Laura, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I knew i wanted to be in the beauty industry since i was a kid, so i looked into what was needed to sign up for beauty school. I started when i was 17 in my senior year of high school and to my surprise it counted as credits towards my high school diploma, soon after i graduated high school I graduated from cosmetology school and got my license. Another career i wanted growing up was to become a teacher, while i was in the process of signing up for classes at a community college i was offered a job teaching at my old beauty college! I started the training for the teaching position when i was 19 and have been at Academy of Beauty ever since, along with some part time behind the chair positions at a few salons. At the moment I dedicate my time to teaching and taking a few clients when i have time around my kid’s schedule. My career gives me the freedom to make my family a priority and still living my childhood dreams of doing hair and teaching.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There were pros and cons to starting at a young age, a pro is that i got a head start at honing my craft and had all the time to focus on learning and practicing without the stress of bills because i was still living at home with my parents, a con was that since i started so young was that i looked young. Some clients openly voiced their opinions about not wanting me to do their services because of my age, and when i started teaching, students also did not take to my authoritative position well. I eventually won them over but it took some time and lying about my age. I have been saying i was 32 since i was 19 and now im excited to be actually 33.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am the supervising instructor and creative director at Academy of beauty in Culver City. I give lectures in Spanish Monday-Thursday in the mornings over a variety of topics from general sciences to business as well as hair, skin, and nail service’s. On Fridays i do hands-on workshops as well as state board prep class. Monday- Friday afternoons are for the clinical floor where I oversee students providing services to the public. I specialize in hair color the theory and application with my passion pertaining to highlighting/lightening services being a Matrix certified stylist.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I believe taking risks is the only way for growth. I encourage my students to take the services they are fearful of or don’t feel that’s their strongest area while in beauty school, it’s the perfect time to take risks and get out of your comfort zone and the have not only my support but that of the other instructors as well if the next extra help or get lost along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shop.saloninteractive.com/store/Theressomethingabouthair
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theressomethingabouthair
