Meet Bastian Villarama of Bastian Salon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bastian Villarama.

Bastian, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My hairdressing career started off as an answer to the question, “now that college hasn’t panned out, what am I gonna do with myself?” With a “let’s see what happens” attitude, I pursued a course in cosmetology following suit after my mom and sister. I barely finished the cosmetology course at a local junior college on Guam where I lived for over 20 years. I didn’t exactly have a passion for cutting hair at the time. I just knew I didn’t hate it. I worked at my mom’s small salon for over 12 years where I spent countless hours learning by watching. I have always admired my mom’s work and shear talent. She made it look so easy and she was so consistent. I always hoped I could work the way she did. Along the way, I took as many courses I could take being 6,000 miles away from mainland USA. That’s when I was first exposed to Vidal Sassoon – just 5 months in the industry. I was in awe at the Sassoon training style. Sassoon never left the back of my mind. Midway through my career, personal tragedy struck and I was forced to reexamine my path. I took a 2-year sabbatical from life. I relocated to LA and hid in plain sight. At the end of the two years, I decided I was ready to get back into hairdressing and attend a 6-week refresher course at the Sassoon Academy in Santa Monica. Something awoke in me during the first week and I knew I was meant to purse a connection with Sassoon beyond the classes, but I wasn’t ready to face the calling. I avoided the seemingly insane notion to try out for Sassoon by attending a 6-month course in London. I figured if I immerse myself in Sassoon without the commitment of trying out for the Sassoon team, I would be able to get the calling out of my system. It didn’t work and the calling got stronger. I was encouraged by a Sassoon London creative director to apply for Sassoon in LA. I applied and I managed an interview and starting position with the aide of that same director in London I believe. After completing the rigorous staff training program and qualifying to be a Sassoon, I relocated to Sassoon Miami to continue training. After a year, I was compelled to choose between remaining in Miami or to rejoin my partner whose mother was battling cancer for the third time. I chose love and returned to LA-that’s when my mom encouraged me to try opening my own space. We started with 4 stations on a second level space that later became 6. After 4 months or so, our building manager approached with the idea of moving to a much larger space on the first floor. It seemed like a such a great opportunity and I took it. Now we have 12 stations which will soon become 14 as we pursue another expansion into a recently vacated adjacent space. We decided to open our own Aveda Experience Center – a space where you can experience Aveda products in a relaxing atmosphere. All I know is that I have been led all my life and I am grateful.

Has it been a smooth road?
There were lots of moments of doubt, feelings of being unworthy when it came to joining the Sassoon team. I denied the calling to Sassoon many times and spent a great deal of energy avoiding it. I never felt like it could happen to me and it didn’t – instead it happened FOR me.

As for the salon, it started off as a 3-year experiment. Every expansion opportunity taken has felt like an “all or nothing” scenario, but as I’ve always said I am being led.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
We just finished our first year as an Aveda salon and it has been wonderful. Our Salon Development Partner and her direct superior have been nothing short of amazing. We specialize in precision cutting, creative color, freehand coloring such as ombres and balayage and Yuko Straightening.

What we are proud of most as company is our ability to adapt. Given that we are so young – only 4-1/2 years old we have gone through so many changes as a team to adapt to changing environment in an effort to find our identity.

What sets us apart is the willingness to change in pursuit of self-discovery.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I believe our city has been waiting for a space like ours with the level of service and skills we have to bring to the table. I would definitely recommend someone starting out to open in our city. There is plenty of space and I love the competitive challenge.

Pricing:

• Our typical cut is around $50 with shampoo and blow dry, with simple all over color at around $100.

Contact Info:

• Address: 11660 South Street, Suite 104
  Artesia, CA 90701
• Website: http://bastiansalon.com
• Phone: 562-860-2030
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bastiansalon
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BastianSalon
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/bastiansalon
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bastian-salon-artesia-5?osq=salon
• Other: http://bastiansalon.com/about-us/reviews/

Image Credit:
Bastian Salon Creative Team

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