Today we’d like to introduce you to Brenda Flores-Preciado.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in a town called El Sereno right in between Boyle Heights and Lincoln Heights. I come from a very traditional Mexican-American family, my siblings and I are the first generation.
At the age of 13, I started experimenting on my own hair, I have always been drawn to art and the creative side of life. At first, I didn’t have too much support because the career of a cosmetologist in my area wasn’t so luxurious, and my moms biggest concern was will I really be able to make a living of this career. Soon enough, I started doing research and investigating what school I wanted to attend. I was heartbroken to find out Vidal Sassoon was going to be so much money, and there were no loans available or any financial aid at the time. So, I didn’t give up and came across Toni and Guy hair academy of Santa Monica. Enrolled in the program and graduated 11 months after and was licensed a month after that.
Has it been a smooth road?
It was not a smooth road at all, but that’s what made the journey worth it. I was a 19 year old from East Los Angeles commuting all the way to Santa Monica. I had to be at school by 8:15 am and wasn’t out till 4 pm, I grew homesick almost. Once I was licensed and looking to intern, I had salons make me cry, make me feel like I wasn’t good enough. But the hardest thing was falling ill in 2016 and having to step down from the salon floor. It took me about a year and a half to get healthy and strong again, it was a dark time. I got thru it and started working at Rock Paper Salon in 2018, it has been the most amazing and rewarding time working there. I have a great relationship with my boss and manager and my co-workers. My clients are so friendly and have so much trust in me. This truly was the light at the end of the tunnel for me.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
So, I do hair in Los Angeles, CA. I really love working on color mainly and styling! I wouldn’t say I specialize in a specific category because I treat all my color processes the same! I love doing a bleach and tone, but I enjoy a beautiful balayage, and I will definitely have a blast giving you a bright purple chunk in your hair!
What makes me the proudest, is when my clients leave my chair feeling like a million bucks! I think my funky personality, to be honest! I’m sassy and feisty, but I’m all heart and love hard, I cherish everyone around me.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
It’s difficult to say, I do feel like there has been a change for women and we are getting more recognition that we deserve lately, it’s amazing, sometimes media can be a bad thing but it can raise so much more awareness. I feel like it will only keep opening more doors for us woman to build our platforms and have our voices be heard.
Pricing:
- Haircuts 65-85
- All over bleach 160+
- Balayage 160-200
- Touch up 75
Contact Info:
- Address: 1515 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026 - Website: Rockpapersalon.com
- Phone: 213.250.0900
- Instagram: Brenda_Preciado
Image Credit:
Deissy Flores
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