Life & Work with Amy Cruz

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Cruz.

Amy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started my journey in cosmetology while I was still in high school, as a junior. At 15½, I was able to enroll in the Regional Occupational Program (ROP) Cosmetology program at John Ridgel’s Academy of Beauty in Temple City, offered through my high school, Monrovia High School. What started as a high school program quickly introduced me to an industry that I would eventually build my career and business around.

I have always enjoyed making people feel more confident and beautiful, and I quickly realized that cosmetology allowed me to do just that while also giving me the opportunity to be creative. I have always loved traveling and exploring new experiences, and I remember thinking, “Why not do hair? It’s an industry that will always be needed.”

Even at a young age, I knew I eventually wanted to own a business of my own. That goal led me to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Cal Poly Pomona. Having both a cosmetology background and a formal education in business has been incredibly valuable throughout my career. It has allowed me to understand not only the creative side of the beauty industry, but also the business, marketing, and entrepreneurial side of building something of my own.

As I continued growing as a stylist, I made education a priority. I’ve taken advanced courses in hair color, cutting, business, and product knowledge, and I continue to attend hair conventions, classes, and industry events whenever I can. The beauty industry is constantly evolving, and I love being able to learn new techniques, stay current with trends, and continue challenging myself creatively.

Eventually, my passion for hair and entrepreneurship led me to become an independent hairstylist and open my own salon suite. Today, I’m able to bring together everything I’ve learned, from cosmetology and education to business and marketing, and use it to build a career and brand that truly reflects who I am.

Looking back, it’s incredible to think that what started as a high school program at 15½ became a career and business that I continue to grow every day. I’m grateful that I took that first step at such a young age. It gave me the opportunity to turn my creativity and passion for making people feel beautiful into something much bigger, a career that allows me to connect with people, continue learning, be my own boss, and build something I’m genuinely proud of.

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 definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, and there have been plenty of challenges along the way that have shaped me into the stylist and business owner I am today.

One of the biggest challenges I faced early in my career was simply being young in the industry. People would sometimes assume that because I was young, I didn’t have enough experience or knowledge to do their hair, which made it difficult to build trust and a clientele in the beginning. I also had to learn how to handle difficult or aggressive personalities. At the time, I was very introverted and did not always know how to navigate those situations, so learning how to communicate confidently with different types of people became an important part of my growth.

Another challenge was realizing that cosmetology school only teaches you the foundation of the industry. During my time in school, a majority of the clients we worked with were older, so I did not have the opportunity to work on a wide variety of hair types, textures, or services. Once I graduated, I quickly realized there was still so much I needed to learn through real world experience.

Finding the right place to work was another journey in itself. I worked for a few small businesses, including a barbershop where I unfortunately had a difficult experience and was even taken advantage of financially. Looking back, although it was frustrating at the time, I try to see those experiences as lessons that pushed me to look for better opportunities and helped me understand what I wanted, and didn’t want, in a workplace.

Eventually, I landed a position with Regis Salon, and that was a major turning point in my career. Regis invested in my development, gave me additional training, and encouraged me to bring in hair models so I could gain more experience, particularly with hair color. That opportunity allowed me to build confidence and develop my skills in ways I had not been able to before, and I am still incredibly grateful that someone saw potential in me and gave me that opportunity.

When Regis eventually closed, I was fortunate enough to transfer to Carlton Hair, where I continued learning through additional classes and assisting other stylists. Each experience gave me another opportunity to improve my technical skills and become more confident behind the chair.

Even finding hair models came with its own challenges. When you are new and people do not know who you are, getting someone to trust you with their hair can be difficult. I remember posting online looking for hair models, and one time a girl told me through Facebook that she was going to come in, but she never showed up. My manager at the time was not happy and told me, “Go find a hair model in the mall.”

For someone who was extremely introverted at the time, that was terrifying! I had to walk up to complete strangers and ask if they would be willing to be a hair model. But looking back, that moment taught me something incredibly important: sometimes you have to step outside of your comfort zone if you want to grow. I realized that if I wanted to build a career in this industry, I couldn’t be afraid to put myself out there.

Financially, those early years were challenging as well. When I first started my career as a cosmetologist, I wasn’t making much money, so I worked an additional job while attending college full-time and building my experience in cosmetology. Honestly, sometimes I look back and wonder how I managed to balance everything, but I did. I just kept going and made it work.

I have learned that the beauty industry can be a bumpy road, especially in the beginning. There will be difficult clients, unexpected setbacks, slow seasons, jobs that don’t work out, and moments when you question whether you’re on the right path. But I have learned that you have to be willing to adjust, learn from every experience, and keep moving forward. Every challenge I faced ultimately taught me something that I still carry with me today.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Today, I’m an independent hairstylist and business owner specializing in balayage, color, dimensional hair color, blonding, color corrections, and creating customized looks that complement each client’s individual features and lifestyle.

I have always had a strong passion for color. I love the transformation that comes with taking someone’s existing hair and creating something that feels fresh, dimensional, and personalized to them. While I enjoy many aspects of hair, color is definitely where my creativity comes alive the most. I’m especially passionate about balayage because of the way it can create a beautiful, natural-looking dimension while still being customized to each person.

One thing I am very intentional about is making sure my clients feel heard. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to hair. Before starting a service, I take the time to understand what my client wants, what they have done to their hair previously, their lifestyle, how much maintenance they are comfortable with, and what is realistically achievable for their hair. Sometimes that means creating the look they envisioned, and other times it means having an honest conversation about what their hair can safely handle and creating a plan to get them there over time.

I am also very passionate about continuing education. Hair trends, techniques, products, and technology are constantly changing, so I make it a priority to continue taking advanced classes, attending industry events, and learning from other professionals. I never want to feel like I have reached a point where there is nothing left to learn.

What I am most proud of is how far I have come. I started learning cosmetology as a teenager, at a time when I was shy. I have had to overcome a lot of obstacles, learn from difficult experiences, build my confidence, and continuously push myself outside of my comfort zone. Today, I’m not only behind the chair doing what I love, but I’m also running my own business.

I think what sets me apart is the combination of my creative background and my business education. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Cal Poly Pomona, so I have always viewed my career as more than just doing hair. I’m passionate about the artistry of hair, but I’m equally interested in the business, marketing, and entrepreneurial side of the beauty industry.

Ultimately, I want my clients to leave my chair feeling confident, not just because they love their hair, but because they feel like they were genuinely listened to and cared for throughout the entire experience. For me, being a hairstylist is about much more than creating beautiful hair. It’s about creating an experience, building relationships, and continuing to grow as an artist and entrepreneur.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
The best way to work with me is to book an appointment through my instagram at Amy Styles Me. I am always excited to welcome new clients, especially those looking for customized balayage, color, dimensional color, blonding, or color corrections. I love getting to know new clients and creating a personalized plan that helps them feel confident in their hair.

I am also open to collaborating with other beauty professionals, brands, creatives, photographers, content creators, and local businesses. I believe some of the best opportunities come from connecting with people who are passionate about what they do, and I’m always interested in learning, sharing ideas, and creating something meaningful together.

For those who simply want to support me, following my journey on social media, sharing my work, referring friends and family, leaving a review, or engaging with my content makes a huge difference as a small business owner. Word-of-mouth and genuine support can go a long way in helping an independent stylist grow.

Ultimately, I’m always open to connecting with people who believe in creativity, entrepreneurship, education, and supporting small businesses. Whether someone becomes a client, collaborator, or simply follows along and supports my journey, I’m grateful for every opportunity to connect with others and continue growing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://square.site/book/9ZBF93FPMEGST/amy-styles-me-rancho-cucamonga-ca
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amystylesme
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amystylesme
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/amy-styles-me-rancho-cucamonga