Exploring Life & Business with Ashley Oropeza of Ashten Salon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Oropeza.

Hi Ashley, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My love for the beauty industry started back in high school. I actually did my senior project on becoming a hairstylist and owning my own salon. I remember getting my hair done at a beautiful salon in Newport Beach and thinking how amazing it would be to own a two-story salon someday. It’s crazy to think that years later, I actually made that dream happen!

I became a mom at 20, and shortly after, I decided to pursue my dream and enroll in cosmetology school. I was fortunate enough to receive a loan to help pay for school, and I worked during the day while attending classes at night. Eventually, I switched to daytime classes and started working as a receptionist at a waxing salon.

After graduating and becoming a licensed cosmetologist, I trained in body waxing but also wanted to give hairstyling a try. I ended up assisting at the same beautiful salon in Newport Beach where I’d gotten my hair done as a teenager. The stylist was actually the daughter of the woman who had helped me pay for cosmetology school. I had known them both for years, and seeing her daughter succeed in the beauty industry may have been part of what inspired her to believe in me, too. It was such a full-circle moment to find myself working at the very salon that had inspired my dream years earlier.

Ultimately, though, I realized I genuinely loved waxing more. I guess I’m still doing hair… just removing it!

I eventually became an independent contractor and began building Maddbeauty, which I named after my son, Madden. I built my clientele from the ground up, starting with $20 Brazilian waxes that included free underarms. Some of those very first clients are still with me today. They’ve literally watched Madden and me grow up together!

After getting married and becoming pregnant with my daughter, Aiyanna, I opened my first little Maddbeauty salon in Brea. What started as one office eventually grew into four fully rented rooms. Then, after having my youngest son, Tenoch, I was ready for something bigger. That’s when I found a two-story space in Brea and opened Ashten Salon.

I remember thinking back to that teenage girl getting her hair done in Newport Beach, dreaming of having a two-story salon of her own. Except this time, it was mine!

My husband and I built Ashten Salon from the ground up, financing it ourselves. One of my favorite memories is watching him and Madden spend part of Madden’s summer break helping bring it to life. The little boy who inspired Maddbeauty was now helping build my next dream.

I always joke that every time I have another baby, I open a bigger business! My children have truly been my biggest motivation throughout this journey.

Today, I still specialize in body waxing, while Ashten Salon is home to a talented group of independent beauty professionals, each building their own business. As a first-generation Latina business owner, creating a space where other women can grow, feel supported, and succeed means so much to me.

Looking back, it’s pretty surreal that the girl who dreamed of owning a salon at 17 is now living that dream. And the best part is, I feel like I’m just getting started.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road! I think one of my biggest struggles has always been people doubting me, not supporting me, and then once I accomplish something, assuming it all came easily.

When I decided to pursue cosmetology school, I honestly didn’t have the money to do it. I didn’t have much support either. If it weren’t for Traci, my mom’s employer at the time, who believed in me enough to loan me the money for school, I wouldn’t have been able to enroll. I’ll always be grateful to her for giving me that opportunity.

Being a young single mom while trying to build a career came with a lot of challenges. I worked during the day, attended school at night, and even struggled with transportation at times. Once Madden started school, I was able to arrange after-school childcare and began working 10+ hour days building my clientele. I was determined to create a better future for us, even when things weren’t easy.

I think what made those early years difficult wasn’t motherhood itself. It was constantly having to overcome obstacles while trying to build something of my own. Even today, balancing a business and raising three kids comes with its challenges. My husband and I don’t have a babysitter, so we work together, take turns with the kids, and figure things out as we go.

I think people see what I’ve accomplished today without realizing everything it took to get here. Nothing happened overnight, and nothing was handed to me. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, but I’m also incredibly grateful for the people who believed in me and helped me along the way.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Ashten Salon?
Ashten Salon is a two-story beauty salon located in Brea, California, home to a talented and diverse group of independent beauty professionals specializing in hair, body waxing, brows, lashes, facials, and more. I personally specialize in body waxing through Maddbeauty, while also being the owner and founder of Ashten Salon.

When I created Ashten Salon, I wanted it to be more than just a beautiful salon. I wanted the girls to have a space that felt like a second home. Somewhere spacious, comfortable, and welcoming, where they could grow their businesses and genuinely enjoy coming to work.

I’ve worked in salons where the break room was literally a chair and a tiny table next to the bathroom. I’ve watched other girls experience the same thing, too. So when I had the opportunity to create my own salon, I wanted to do things differently. I made sure we had a large, comfortable break room just for the girls, somewhere they could sit down, eat, relax, and actually enjoy their downtime. We’re even working on having a separate restroom for the girls and another for clients.

One of my favorite things about Ashten Salon is how diverse our team is. We have women from different cultures and backgrounds, each bringing their own personality, talent, and creativity into the salon. Although we all run our own independent businesses, we’re still one team. We refer clients to each other, support each other’s work, and genuinely want to see one another succeed. I love that someone can come in for one service and discover so many other talented women under the same roof.

What I’m most proud of is creating the kind of environment I always wished I’d had. Ashten Salon was my dream, but I wanted it to be a place where other women could build theirs, too.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
There are definitely a few people who deserve credit for helping me get to where I am today!

First, Tracy, who was my mom’s employer when I decided to pursue cosmetology school. At the time, I didn’t have the money to enroll, but she believed in me enough to loan me the money for school. Without her, I wouldn’t have been able to start my career when I did, and I’ll always be grateful for that.

My husband, Anthony, has truly been my biggest supporter. He’s been there since the very beginning, from helping me get my first Home Depot tool cart to hold my waxing supplies to helping me build Maddbeauty and now Ashten Salon. He’s seen every stage of my journey, every crazy idea, every struggle, and every accomplishment. He’s always believed in me and has put just as much hard work into helping bring my visions to life. I genuinely couldn’t have done all of this without him.

I also owe so much to my clients. Some have been with me since my $20 Brazilian wax days! They’ve watched me grow up, get married, have more babies, and open two salons. Their loyalty, referrals, and continued support have played such a huge role in my success. I especially want to thank my client Mahnoor, who actually nominated me for this interview! The fact that someone I’ve built a relationship with through my work thought of me for an opportunity like this means so much.

And of course, my girls at Ashten Salon. They believed in my vision enough to bring their own businesses into the space I created. They’re the ones who bring the salon to life every day, and I’m so grateful to have such a talented group of women growing alongside me.

I’ve worked incredibly hard to get here, but I also know I didn’t do it alone. I’m forever grateful for the people who believed in me, supported me, and helped turn my dreams into reality.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Ashtensalon.com
• Instagram: Ashtensalon

Image Credits
Anthony Oropeza
David Miranda