Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie Salas
Hi Valerie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Growing Up in the Heart of The San Fernando Valley , At The mere age of 15 I would go with my Mom to work on Saturdays as she herself worked as a Hairstylist in Northridge. I would answer phones and sweep hair all while watching My Mom and the other women in the salon create hair magic. The room was filled with laughter and also the creation of beauty. Watching these women bond with their passion for Beauty and their Enthusiasm for a professional drive inspired me to want that for myself as a chosen career. A few years later I would put myself through Cosmetology School at a Local Occupational Center in Woodland Hills, Ca. Over the years I have reached several accomplishments within my career, including Salon Management, Salon Stylist Trainer for Corporate Salons and also becoming an Educator for The Paul Mitchell School in Pasadena . As I moved forward in my career I yearned for a sense of uniqueness, a kind of specific niche that would allow me to be known for something the everyday woman could relate to, something that could potentially become a household name and that’s when “The Blowout Doctor” was born. I took a risk during the Salon closures of Covid in 2020 and started an Instagram page, created a series called ” Talk Product Tuesday” where I would go live and answer questions for followers that wanted to know what the best hair products were, what the best hair tools were and how to maintain their hair goals. Once I created the platform I decided to take a risk on myself and create a small business, I put everything I had financially and began with an LLC then A Website Manager to create my dream website, purchased a Mac, a Canon Camera and Established an Office/Headquarters the place where I could begin to create Ideas and content. Once these were all flowing together I began the search for the perfect Salon Suite which would be geographically attractive for my clientele. I have been fortunate to have several salon suites located in Orange County and The Santa Clarita Valley to accommodate my long distance clientele but I soon discovered that my clients were so pleased with their Hair Goals being met that they would have no issues driving to me at my primary location in Northridge and they actually enjoyed visiting a new city. As my career continues to grow and my experience as well I am certain there is still so much more magic to see and the rest…well its still unwritten.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It wasn’t easy becoming an established Hairstylist. My career began during a time where there was No Social Media except for My Space and it was used primarily for Personal Use not Building Portfolios , so I would have to sit for hours at a commission based salon just waiting for a “walk in” or I would go to the local Mall in Northridge ( which is currently where my salon suite exists) not ironic at all and hand out business cards offering complimentary Blowouts just to get the client in the chair so I could gain their trust and then build a Hairstylist/ Client relationship. Once that was established I was able to not just sell myself but also the Services and Products I believed in.
Living paycheck to paycheck wasn’t easy all while being a single mom with two small children, ages 12 and 2 but somehow I pushed thru and never stopped believing in my Goals or Myself.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My skills are extensive, due to the training I’ve had, I do Precision Haircutting, Mens Haircuts with both scissors and clippers, Balayage, Color Corrections, Runway Vivid Hair Colors, Hair Extensions, Wedding and Special Events Hair and Brazilian Blowouts.
My Specialty is Both Platinum Blondes and Brazilian Blowouts, I am most definitely known for my Brazilian Blowouts, its my attention to detail when it comes to this service , knowing how to utilize the products in the proper way and knowing who a good candiidate is for this service.
Becoming a 5 Time certified Brazilian Blowout Specialist is what I am known for and also is how the name “The Blowout Doctor” was created. It wasn’t easy getting approved to create an LLC or a Website with the title Doctor in it without being an Actual Doctor but I made it happen after all the red tape and lots of patience.
Im definitely proud of becoming a Platinum Blonde Specialist, to be transparent I actually used to be very timid when it came to clients wanting to go lighter but once we reopened from the closures I took every color correction that reached out to me and whoa were there a lot of them, the whole world had not had their roots done for over two years so they were ready to sit in my chair for 10 hrs and trust the process, it doesn’t take 10 hrs any longer, Ive created a rhythm for myself so on a good day and the right hair I can get it done in 4 hrs without jeopardizing the integrity of the hair.
I believe what sets me apart from others is that most Hairstylists use heat to make the Lightner work for them but the technique I choose to use and what I feel has worked the best in protecting the clients hair is “No Heat”. I’ve learned within chemistry that our body produces enough heat to gain momentum for the lightener to efficiently do its job. If we watch the hair it will show us everything we need to know.
What matters most to you? Why?
There are so many fundamentals that are important to me as a Hairstylist and Small Business Owner. Client Satisfaction being one of the most important, the value of a client having the Satisfaction and Confidence that their hair goal was met is what I pride myself on. I truly value for some clients they have searched high and low for the right fit as well as others who have saved over time financially to be able to have a Beauty session for themselves. I prioritize using only the best quality hair products for my clients, that I have researched over time and have used on myself in order to assure its quality. I typically use a hair product for a year on myself before introducing it To my clientele.
I have always believed The connection between a Hairstylist and Client is so important, they sit with me for at least two hours and we get to know each other, I ensure my clients feel that my chair is a safe and nonjudgemental place but also a place that I can offer guidance, understanding and tenderness with laughter and sometimes tears as well. Every session always ends with a hug whether you are a first time client or a 20 year client.
Education is part of the structure of “The Blowout Doctor” staying on top of what’s trending and learning about new up and coming products and services is imperative from both the East Coast and West Coast.
Showing up daily as my most authentic self is the Core of my Business to maintain a Brand that reflects both who I am Professionally and Personally, from the standards I set for myself as an Established Hairstylist, to Understanding My Clients needs,, to the style I create with my wardrobe to the travel I share with clients as well as my personal journey as a single mom and Small Business Owner.
Pricing:
- Balayage starting at $200.00
- Brazilian Blowout starting at $250.00
- Color Correction $200.00 per hr
- Hair Extensions varies based on clients needs
- Precision Haircut & Deep Cond Treatment $110.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theblowoutdoctor.com
- Instagram: @theblowoutdoctor
Image Credits
image credit: the blowoutdoctor
