Today we’d like to introduce you to Marlene Macias
Hi Marlene, 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?
I feel as if almost everyone has an idea of what they want to be when they grow up. So many of us have a solid plan and are tunnel visioned until that idea becomes our reality.
Myself I always wanted to be an actress when I grew up, I know completely different than what I currently do. It was a turning point in my life that brought upon my new life plan and my deepest belief, things happen for a reason. I was set to go to college on a softball scholarship with my major in acting.
Typically scouting season starts your junior year of high school, this way colleges already have an idea of who they want on their roster for the following season. It was my second to last game of the season my junior year when I was injured on the field by a fellow teammate when she stepped on my shin with her metal cleats causing severe nerve damage to myself.
This one moment shifted everything in my life. Colleges who bid on me pulled out because I couldn’t play my senior year of high school therefore making me a DL (disabled list) player. I was absolutely crushed, my life long goal slipped right through my finger tips. There were many meetings with my parents and college counselor that regarded my future. I was so encompassed in my plan on going to college on a softball scholarship that I didn’t have a thought of a Plan B or what I would do if it didn’t work out, because in my mind it was going to work out.
My mom was the one who put hairdressing on my radar on one of our meetings with my college counselor. “Well, you’re always doing your own hair and your friends come over to have you style their hair or cut their bangs. Have you considered becoming a hair stylist?’ My first thought was ‘ That sounds cool but how do I incorporate acting into that?’ My college counselor had mentioned that getting into an entertainment union as a hair stylist is a great way to network and be in the environment that acting would have me, just behind the camera instead of in front of it. I knew my parents didn’t have the financial means to send me to university and I did not want to give up either. My dad had asked me, ” Is this something you can do in order to support your passion?”
My college counselor recommended me to apply to Los Angeles Trade Technical College for their in depth cosmetology program and the main purpose being that they would accept any scholarships I was awarded. The moment I began to learn about cosmetology and started getting into the hair portion of my courses I felt that instant connection. The best way to describe it is having a sense of knowing this is what I’m meant to be doing.
Going to beauty school in downtown L.A. while living in Sherman Oaks was not easy. It took me leaving with my dad at 3 a.m. when he left for work, him dropping me off at my grandpa’s home in northeast Los Angeles where we had moved from, my grandpa dropping me off at the bus stop at 5:50 a.m. to catch the 6 a.m. bus to make it to my 7 a.m. lecture was no easy feat. Then once school was done for the day, it was a rush back home with my dad to make it in time for myself to eat, change and walk to clock in for my 3:30 pm shift at In-N-Out Burger.
Once I passed my state board test I got a job assisting at an established salon in Beverly Hills. I worked seven days a week with assisting four days a week at the salon and three days at In-N-Out. I learned so much during my five years in Beverly Hills both professional and personal. I had reached a point where I was working in a salon that made me dread going to work, the environment was not a community built on connection, collaboration and camaraderie. So many of my values when it came to my career were built on a similar foundation that In-N-Out had instilled in me as an associate that I enjoyed taking with me behind the chair. I had decided to seek out a salon located in the valley that would be closer to home.
My mom had recommended I check out the salon she frequented in Encino, Daniel Jordan Hair Salon. After interviewing with Daniel and walking out of the salon I felt that feeling I did when I started my cosmetology journey, this is where I’m meant to be. Daniel and Jordan had created an environment that aligned with my values for my business and I knew following my intuition and asking my circle landed me there. I have been a hair dresser for eleven years now and a small business owner for two after opening my S-Corp, Services on Mars Inc.
Today I am focused on advancing my skills to expand my offered services to my clients and would love to take my career global whether it be through education or business demand. Something I am passionate about is giving back to my community of Cypress Park in northeast Los Angeles by networking with entrepreneurs from the community, supporting the small businesses or donating my services. I will never forget where I came from and all the people who helped me get to where I am today. My work is dedicated to my father who passed in July of 2024, In-N-Out Burger where I still proudly work til this day for their unwavering support, my family and husband who ground and support me and my community of Cypress Park where my roots were established.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My favorite saying is a smooth sea never made for a skillful sailor. You will be able to tell right away I love using metaphors and analogies. There have been so many challenges, especially since I started beauty school straight out of high school and working full time.
I feel that our twenties is a time where we’re trying to discover who we are and who we want to be. There were more times where I didn’t feel like I fit in anywhere or hadn’t found my circle, then top that with working seven days a week.
During my time assiting in Beverly Hills I did not have the best mentor, although looking back I would not change a thing because it gave me so much insight and wisdom when it comes to how people can take advantage of you even though it may be unintentional. At the end of the day, people will always do what is best for them and that was one of my many tough lessons I had learned.
Mental health is so important so I sought out therapy to aid my healing to be a better person for myself and those around me. I learned to fill my cup before filling others and establishing healthy boundaries when it came to a work/life balance. In this day hustle culture is highly admired and praised, working seven days a week was something to be proud of. Now I’m nurturing rest and recovery more than hustle, knowing everything will workout and taking a day off won’t impact me financially. It has been a struggle that I am very proud to have overcome. It is a daily practice to fight off anxiety and negative self talk, but taking my power back has been one of my biggest achievements by far.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in color and hair cutting. I am currently taking a course in hidden bead weft extensions as well! I really enjoy how hair has many elements involved such as math, science and art. It takes a great deal of knowledge to truly understand hair and how many little steps create an overall end result.
One main point that sets me apart from the rest is my honesty, if a client sits in my chair and wants something that I feel is unrealistic or I do not have the knowledge to perform the service I will say so. I do not appreciate taking money from someone to put in my pocket if the client is not happy with their result.
I believe full transparency is crucial for client retention and connection building. We are all human beings and it is our nature to crave connection, to neglect or not embrace that fact isn’t who I am. I am so thankful to everyone who trusts me to touch their hair, share their personal stories and express myself because they love my expression of my craft and who I am.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up I was definitely adventurous to say the least! I tried almost every extracurricular activity my parents allowed me to, from folklorico, tap dance, hip-hop, basketball, volleyball , softball, kick-boxing and flag football to name a few.
I was lucky enough to grow up across the street from Cypress Park Recreation Center, which hosted all my activities I participated in. The park was my safe haven since the home I grew up in had its unhealthy moments and attributes. The neighborhood itself did have gang violence present and there was always a need to always watch your back when walking around. Thankfully my dad ensured my older brother and I had both book and street smarts. He did his best to keep us out of trouble and on a path that would keep us safe and ensure our success.
I was always able to connect to the adults in my life more than kids my age, my family always called me an old soul, which explained why I always wanted to be in the kitchen with my aunties hearing all their stories instead of playing outside with my cousins. It was my Auntie Irma who introduced my love for reading at the age of nine, ever since then I found the public library to be one of my favorite places outside of the park.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Haironmars
Image Credits
Andrew Aldana (@andyinla) – photography (headshot)
Brandy Terrazas (@brandyraebeauty) – Makeup for headshot
