Meet Kimberly Aguilar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Aguilar.

Hi Kimberly, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I fell in love with hair when I was 15 years old. On a whim, my mom handed me a box of hair dye and asked me to make her platinum blonde. Without knowing the first thing about coloring hair, I took a leap of faith and attempted to execute her vision. This experience was when I first realized that I wanted to pursue a career in the beauty industry.

After graduating high school, I took the first step toward my aspirations by enrolling in a beauty school. I graduated and obtained my cosmetology license in 2016. I was eager to keep learning, so immediately afterward I completed a barber crossover course. Early in my career, my priority was becoming well-rounded before specializing in one area. After finishing my formal education, I landed my first job as an assistant. During my two years as an assistant, I gained valuable experience that allowed me to refine my technique. I’ve styled clients from brides to big influencers. Working in diverse environments like weddings and sets gave me versatility that isn’t common in the industry.

My third year marked a turning point in my career. I evolved from an assistant to a full-fledged hairstylist and began building my clientele. I started dabbling in different subfields of beauty, seeing the endless possibilities helped me narrow down my professional interests. Towards the end of 2019, I was offered a full-time position as a hairstylist with Glam Squad (CVS Beauty). Working at a big company improved my business sense and management skills. After two years, I decided that it was time to move on. Although CVS Beauty wasn’t the final destination, it was an invaluable experience for personal growth.

Everything I’ve gained from working on hair professionally for the past seven years gave me the confidence to build my business as a color specialist. I branched out on my own, and for the first time, I became my own boss. I do all the scheduling, marketing, and social media management. I’ve been booked and busier than ever. In the coming years, my goal is to open a salon. In the meantime, I continue to be goal-oriented and driven to improve. I’m grateful for the success of my business and the wonderful clients I serve.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. Early on, my parents were opposed to me attending beauty school. They felt that supporting my career aspirations would condemn me to a lifetime of financial instability. Nonetheless, I was determined to pursue my goal of becoming a hairstylist, regardless of how hard I had to work. To pay for my tuition, I got a full-time job working at Panda Express. I would attend beauty school in the morning and work in the evenings.

Unfortunately, graduating from beauty school came with its setbacks. It was a struggle to find my first job. No one wanted to hire a new graduate without experience. I applied to more salons than I can count before landing my first opportunity. Eventually, my perseverance paid off when I dropped off my resume and was unexpectedly hired on the spot.

Of course, no conversation about challenges is complete unless we mention the pandemic. During the pandemic, salons were closed for almost a year. Uncertain of where the beauty industry was headed, my career was put on pause. Determined not to give up, I started working two jobs. As the world slowly reopened, I quickly returned to the salon.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve been a hairdresser for seven years. I am a color specialist. The chemistry behind color excites me. I’m known for creating natural, sun-kissed, balayage hair. I’m proud of how natural my work looks. It’s as if my clients were born with highlights growing from their scalps. My handicraft, along with the undivided attention my clients receive, creates memorable experiences. This approach sets me apart from other professionals in this field and allows me to tailor my recommendations to best suit my client’s lifestyle.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lessons I’ve learned on my journey are to be patient and persistent. Be patient with yourself because success does not happen overnight. Remain positive even if no one believes in your goals or if you’ve failed many times. Do not get discouraged when you run into problems; obstacles are there to challenge you. Hone your craft when you have downtime. Embrace your journey and whatever happens, continue moving forward. You got this.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haircolorkim/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kiimberlyaguilarr/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kimberly-aguilar-los-angeles-5?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@haircolorkim