Today we’d like to introduce you to Leche.
Leche, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m a native to Los Angeles. I’m the owner of a salon, called Downtown Leche, in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. I’ve been doing hair for six years now and as you can see, my life didn’t always revolve around hair. Being raised in a corporate world, I’ve grown a great love for developing people and turning them into the leaders they’re meant to be. With that being said, allow me to take you into a journey on how I fell into the wonderful world of hair.
Let’s start this journey in 2013 when I was in a business lunch meeting. It was then when I was asked what my five years goals were. The first thing that popped into my head was my Mother, Graciela Navarro, as she was preparing herself for retirement. Graciela was a beauty salon owner for over 20 years and a staple in her community. What gives me the most pride is that she came to this country, not knowing how to read nor write in her native language let alone in this language. For her to beat all odds, be an amazing wife, raise four children (I’m the baby, obviously), and own a small business for over two decades, it was safe to say that I didn’t need any more motivation to continue her legacy. So I continued to explain that whether I get into the field or just manage her business, I wanted to ensure that she was going to be financially set after retirement. It was then when I realized that if that was my goal then what was I doing about it. Two days after my business lunch meeting, I enrolled into beauty school because I wanted to know the business if I was going to run a successful business.
Two months before graduating, I was introduced to Barbering and it took over my world. I was so fascinated by all the detail that comes with doing Men’s Grooming. Nine months after receiving my license, I decided to make the biggest decision of my life. I decided to leave my corporate life, the secured income, the health insurance, and more importantly, I decided to leave the comfortable life I lived. As scary, demoralizing and uncomfortable that decision was, it has been the best decision that I’ve ever made.
Using all of my experiences from my previous life, in these six years, I’m grateful to say that I’ve traveled the world educating, showcasing and sharing my story in front of thousands. I’m also proud to say that Downtown Leche has been opened for three years, I’m the founder of “The L.EARN Process”, “Collab Nights”, “AMB Tour” and a proud Board Member of “The Humble Project of Long Beach”.
No matter what journey you take you must enjoy the process in its entirety. All the ups and especially all of the downs. It’s what builds character, ensures an optimistic mindset and shapes the rest of your life.
*The L.EARN Process – Teaches the art of selling, customer service, client retention, operations and hair techniques. It is a complete consulting package to ensure that your surviving business becomes a striving business.
*Collab Nights – A free event where all hair artists can come together and collaborate with one another. People come from across the world to be a part of this global event that occurs around the first week of April.
*AMB Tour – The Artist Meets Business Tour places current and future business owners in one exclusive setting where trade secrets are shared to build a better industry. From small business to industry giants, our objective to share best practices, create workshops and build for a better tomorrow.
*The Humble Project – A Non-Profit Organization that works with troubled teens, homeless, battered women and much more in hopes of showing that their past doesn’t need to predict their future. With self-discovery workshops, clothes, food and makeovers, we want to ensure that every individual receives our undivided attention.
Has it been a smooth road?
If the road is smooth then I’m on the wrong road.
In the beginning of this transition into hair, my biggest struggle was the drastic change in my lifestyle. I went from making six figures to $10 a haircut with no clientele. It was a bit demoralizing to my self-esteem and brought me to a low at that moment in my life. All I knew is that I was now in a field that I can make as much as I put into it. So I got to it, focused on my skillset, networked, marketed and now I’m able to provide an experience for $125.
Fighting the urge to go with the Hair Culture was another struggle, as so many artists were imbedded with a certain mindset. I wanted to make certain that I didn’t fall into the same habit hole. I continued to read self-improvement books, finance audibles and searched for like-minded individuals. This allowed me to avoid more bumps on the road that others have experienced.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Downtown Leche story. Tell us more about the business.
When building Downtown Leche exclusivity was our main focus. Our goal is to create an undeniable experience where our client is our main focus. Working by appointment only allows us to give you all the attention when it comes to your hair goals.
Downtown Leche is your one stop shop for all your hair needs. From beautiful blondes, fun loving vibrant colors, extensions, wigs, to that hairstyle that you crave, we have amazing professionals to take care of it all.
Our ability to host educators from around the world and provide top notch education is one thing that sets us apart. This provides in house education for every professional in Downtown Leche to ensure you’re receiving up to date services.
I’m most proud of the people that are involved with Downtown Leche. We’re very much involved with the industry as we all attend, showcase, educate and participate in events all around the world. I want to make sure that we have driven and goal-oriented individuals that not only inspire others but also inspire me.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Our industry is booming in revenue, possibilities as well as how people perceive the profession. I can see this profession being in forefront. As I continue to grow my businesses, I’d like to be a part of the big shift, where artists are able to earn the income that they want and create new trends where getting your hair serviced is a whole experience, not just another number to a stylist.
As far as hair goes, “Nothing Comes From Nothing” – Archive DTLA, meaning that trends will repeat themselves as we continue to get inspired from what has already been accomplished.
Pricing:
- Consultations for Color/Lightening Service – $35
- Deposits to Secure Appointment – $100
- Men’s Hair Experience – $125
Contact Info:
- Website: DowntownLeche.com
- Phone: 213-290-6827
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @DowntownLeche
- Facebook: DowntownLeche
- Twitter: DowntownLeche
- Other: @BeLechendary
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