Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Ramirez.
Hi Vanessa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I received my cosmetology license in 2007 shortly after, I began assisting an owner of a salon and quickly became the salon manager. About a year in, I was assisting, managing, & taking on my own clientele during which time I was learning as much as I could and soaking it in. I continued that path for four years. That is really where I got a real understanding of how a salon runs by being a part of the day-to-day operations including collecting rent and running the socials. I started to feel as if I had consumed all that I could, and it was time for me to branch off and do my own thing. In 2017 I started at a brand-new salon which I got to witness being built from the ground up. I started on my own as a rental stylist specializing in balayage’s & hair extensions. I decided then and there I was going to take as many classes as I could learning how to brand myself. I was approached by a hair extensions brand called “Aqua” to become an ambassador/educator for their company. I started to see myself being booked over a month out. I stayed at that salon for three years again taking in all that I could. Again, I started to want more & I was ready for yet another challenge. I also wanted to get closer to home where I was working in LA county & living in OC. I decided to rent a chair closer to home where I would work on a game plan to create my own salon vision. During all that, I got offered to work fashion week in Paris in February 2020. I returned home from Paris to find out I just made it back in time & the world would shut down two days later. I was stressed still paying rent every week at the salon & not being able to work. I came up with a game plan. I stayed in contact with all my clients. I posted tips and tricks to get your hair through the lockdowns, I delivered touch up kits to clients, & I made it work. I got through shut down after shutdown and once the world opened up a bit, I searched high & low for a space to call my own for myself & like-minded artists. I came across a newly built building, and I knew this was my chance to create a space custom to me, my style, & my vision. The process wouldn’t be easy trying to do construction during a pandemic was by far the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. It took a year but my salon “Vlovehair Collective” is finally complete and I couldn’t be happier. We are doing so well I decided to take over the space next to us & create extended suites for lash techs, massage therapists, nail techs, & anything beauty-related. Which should be opening this summer. I am very proud of my accomplishments especially being Latina & the first woman in my family to open up a business. I am in my mid-thirties & I’m just getting started stay tuned…
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was definitely not a smooth ride. Being in such a competitive industry, I got told many times by salon owners “I wouldn’t make it” or “I wasn’t good enough” I used that as fuel & always remained graceful. Once I was ready to take that leap of being a salon owner I was then hit with 2020 shutdowns. I still didn’t give up instead I told myself if I can make it through this, I can do anything.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in blonde balayages & extensions. I am also a national educator for Aqua Extensions which are based out of Florida. I travel all over to teach other salons & stylists about the brand and teach all methods of install. I am most proud of being able to say I worked New York fashion week and Paris fashion week with Unite. I love the creativity behind doing hair & I am fashion obsessed. I am most known for the long hair I create & the hats that I wear behind the chair 😉
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory is literally when I was five years old. I would make my mom fake hair appointments I would get all the brushes and clips stuck in her long beautiful hair. I even had a fake receipt book I would have her sign at the end of her service.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @vlovehair
- Other: @vlovehair_collective
