Today we’d like to introduce you to Roberto C Torres.
Roberto, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started cutting hair at the age of ten. As a kid, I always wanted to be like my neighbors who used to get a haircut every week. My dad was opposed to this idea so he made me work really hard, for me to earn money, to get a haircut at least every two weeks. One day, out of frustration, he said he was never going to give me money to get a haircut, he said he was going to buy me some hair clippers and that, from that point on I needed to do it myself. I took on this new challenge that started my journey in this industry.
At the age of fourteen, I studied cosmetology at a summer school. At the of sixteen, I started working at the best barber shop in town because my family had a tradition where, every family member needed to get a job at that age. At the age of nineteen, I was working at a salon while getting my cosmetology license. At the age twenty three, I was a licensed cosmetologist and barber, and started working as a teacher at the same school I graduated from. From there, I went to work at a celebrity hair salon. This salon in Puerto Rico was one best hair salons in all of the island.
There, I worked with celebrities, in beauty pageants, runways, TV shows, magazines and so on. It was an incredible experience!
On 2012, I moved with my family to Tampa, FL where I worked at Bleu Salon. An incredible Redken Elite Salon served their stylists with the latest education, growing systems and personal coaching. I loved my Bleu Salon family!
Almost a year and a half ago my family and I came to Los Angeles, California. And I now work at Chad Cook Hair Salon in the Marina Del Rey area. Which is my favorite places in all of LA! I work with an incredible team and where I want to grow in my clientele. I sometimes work in the Beverly Hills area too, in order to provide services to more people from different locations.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
DEFINITELY NOT!!! LA has challenged me to my core!
Some of the challenges I’ve faced are the overpopulation of hairdresser in Los Angeles. The competitive environment, which can serve me in growing me. I’ve also faced (sometimes) suspicion from people who misunderstand my motives.
For example, I got hired and fired in 3 weeks in a salon in Beverly Hills (which I will not mention). Because she said that she knew I was there to steal her clients because I was being too nice to them!
I have experienced betrayal, rejection and lots of pain. But, at the same time, I have experienced beauty and growth. I have met people from all over the world! Some of the most generous, kind and caring people that have helped me and my family to continue pursuing our calling in this city.
Also, I love challenges. I welcome them. They are the ground in which we become stronger and better. So, I don’t shy away from tough situations. I embrace them.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I LOVE PEOPLE! That’s my core motivation.
So, when they come to me, it’s not only about their hair experience, it’s also about their soul. I love coaching people on different areas like relationships, personal development and emotional intelligence. Therefore, I try to be intentional on integrating those things into my services. I think soon I will come up with something where coaching and hair are integrated.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success for me is:
1) When those who are closest to you, love you the most.
2) When you develop the skill-sets needed to build and elevate your relationships, your finances and craft, so that you can make an incredible impact in the world.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 8139977066
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @robertotorres.la
Image Credit:
Zamora & Ramirez Photography, Mark Anthony Sanchez
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