Today we’d like to introduce you to Carla Zuniga
Hi Carla, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am the Founder of HER Power Pins: Hair Pins that Empower. These hair pins have “I am” affirmations on them to remind the girls that wear them of the Supersheroes that live within them, and that they can make things happen as long as they believe in themselves. And, it’s our job, as parents/loved ones/caregivers, to get them to believe that. The other part to the mission behind these pins is that they teach girls to empower others. With each purchase, you receive an extra, giftable pin that is intended to be given to another little girl that might need some encouragement. Because part of being a Supershero is to lift others up.
Once I became a mom, I realized how important it was to teach my daughter to believe in herself. I wasn’t raised that way, and have realized that I have made every decision in my life based on the beliefs that were instilled in me when I was a kid, which unfortunately, weren’t very positive. I am 42 years old, and am now learning to believe that I’m capable of so much more than what I had kept hearing in my head. So, since my daughter was 1.5 years old, we have been doing our “Morning Talk,” which consist of her going to a mirror, and telling herself, “I am strong. I am brave. I am capable. I am worthy. And, I’m going to do all the things I set my mind to because I believe in myself.” It was this morning mantra that started brewing this idea of making something tangible that could remind her, and other girls out there of these kinds of affirmations.
But, I wanted to take things a step further and added the “Share the Shero” element to the mission, which is the giving of the extra pin to another little girl. Because now, especially after becoming a mom, I realized how powerful we, women, are when we stand together versus pinned against each other. To teach how to empower others at a young age, I believe, can truly change the world, and make it unrecognizable from what it is today!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has taken some effort to get this off the ground as every pin is hand crafted by me. It’s not something I intend on doing in the long-term, but making them myself has actually been very healing for me. I have to repeat all these affirmations to myself all the time to make sure the spelling is right! But, my dream would be to get this to a place where I can hire a team of women from low-income areas to hand-make the pins for two reasons: 1) I feel like having these be hand-made makes them very special. And 2), It can provide work and purpose to the women who are trying to get back on their feet. So, it’s full-circle empowerment, from young girls to grown women!
The part that I am currently struggling with is the marketing. That’s never been a strong suit of mine, so it’s really been making me step out of my comfort zone and ask people I know for favors, and/or help in getting these pins into influencers’ and celebrities’ hands, as that helps with more visibility.
The goal is to get to a place where I can hire a PR firm to help me spread the message of empowerment on a much bigger scale. So, if you’re reading this, and are in PR, hit me up, lol!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have been a hairdresser for over 16 years. I love connecting with people and making them feel good. My hair journey started later in life. I graduated from UCLA, and went down the corporate route, but really hated it. I knew I needed to be in a creative environment amongst creative people. It was my sister who reminded me of how much I loved doing hair when I was a kid. And, since I had just gotten laid off from a company that was closing down, I took that as an opportunity to start over and go back to school. This time to Cosmetology school. And, geez, what a humbling experience that was! I wasn’t the oldest student at school (I enrolled at the Tony&Guy Hairdressing Academy in Santa Monica, Ca), but I was definitely older than a lot of the students there (I was 28 at the time). But, being older gave me an advantage, which was I wasn’t messing around, and knew I needed to get through that 10 month program as fast as humanly possible. I got through it in 9 months! I just didn’t have time to waste. It was when I was about to graduate that I found out that this new salon was opening up in West Hollywood by these 2 British hairdressers, and it was called Galvin Benjamin (Now called The Benjamin Salon). So, I jumped on that opportunity, and was hired on as an assistant. Again, a VERY humbling experience to be starting over for me at that time. But, I had the opportunity to be trained by Benjamin Mohapi, a celebrity session stylist who was VERY meticulous. I shed many tears going through that training program, lol! But I worked my ass off, and not only did I get onto the floor very fast (it can take some assistants years to get behind a chair. I luckily got onto the floor 1.5 years after I started.), but I also was given a Management role. I stayed there for 8 years, 6 of those being when I both managed and ran a clientele (those were some of the most stressful years of my life!). But, I knew it was time for me to go. I had worked hard for someone else, and now wanted to work that hard for myself.
When I’m not working on my pins, I see my private clients on certain days of the week ( I specialize in cuttting and styling). And, provide Product Knowledge training for Iles Formula, a haircare line that I’m obsessed with. Everything I do involves hair, just in different arenas, which I feel, for me, keeps things exciting!
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Consistency is something that I believe is super essential. You can have a grand idea, but if you don’t put in the time and dedication to that specific thing, it won’t flourish the way you hope it will. I’m a big fan of Mel Robbins, and her rule of putting in 15 mins of inspired action everyday will ultimately get to you to your goal. It may take you longer to get there, but you will get there. And, that you must remember to celebrate the wins, no matter how small!
Pricing:
- Large Pins: $15.99
- Medium Pins: $12.99
- Small Pins: $9.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.herpowerpins.com
- Instagram: @herpowerpins
Image Credits
Image of me by Eden Dozier @edendozier
Image of little girl with a HER Power Pin: @inthelifeoftayt
