Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalia Hornsey.
Hi Natalia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always loved helping people feel beautiful and confident, which is what first drew me to cosmetology. I knew early on that I wanted a career where I could be creative while making a real difference in people’s lives. What I didn’t know was how many obstacles I’d have to overcome to get where I am today.
For much of my career, I was balancing life as a single mother while working long hours behind the chair. There were times when money was tight, and I questioned whether I would ever be able to build the business I dreamed of. Like many small business owners, I learned that success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes sacrifice, long days, resilience, and the willingness to keep showing up even when things are difficult.
Those experiences shaped me into the stylist and business owner I am today. They taught me empathy, perseverance, and how important it is to make every client feel valued. I understand that when someone sits in my chair, they’re often looking for more than a new hairstyle—they’re looking to feel confident again.
After more than a decade in the beauty industry, I took the leap and created Salon Aura. My vision was to build a salon where people feel welcomed, cared for, and leave feeling like the best version of themselves. Today I specialize in dimensional color, balayage, extensions, smoothing treatments, and advanced hair restoration, and I’m constantly investing in education so I can offer my clients the newest techniques and highest level of care.
Looking back, every challenge became part of my foundation. The struggles didn’t define me—they strengthened me. Today I’m proud of what I’ve built, grateful for every client who has trusted me along the way, and excited for the future of Salon Aura.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I believe the challenges have made me a stronger person, mother, and business owner.
One of my biggest challenges was building my career while raising my children on my own. There were times when I was trying to provide for my family while also investing in my education, my tools, and eventually my own business. Financially, it wasn’t easy. There were moments when I questioned whether I would ever get ahead, but giving up was never an option because my children were watching me, and I wanted to show them what perseverance looks like.
Building a clientele also takes time, patience, and consistency. Every client had to be earned through hard work, continuing education, and creating an experience that made people want to come back and refer their friends. There were no shortcuts.
Looking back, I’m actually grateful for those difficult seasons because they taught me resilience, humility, and appreciation for every opportunity. They also made me more compassionate toward my clients because everyone is carrying something you can’t always see. My goal has always been to create a space where people feel comfortable, cared for, and leave with more confidence than when they arrived.
Today, when I look around Salon Aura, I’m reminded that every long day, every sacrifice, and every obstacle helped build the business I have today. I’m still growing, still learning, and still chasing bigger goals, but now I get to do it from a place of gratitude instead of survival.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Salon Aura was created with one simple mission: to help people feel confident in their own skin and hair. My tagline, “The Glow You Deserve,” reflects everything I strive to give my clients—not just beautiful hair, but renewed confidence that carries with them long after they leave the salon.
I specialize in dimensional color, balayage, lived-in blondes and brunettes, fashion colors, extensions, smoothing treatments, and advanced regenerative hair restoration. I love creating customized looks that fit each client’s lifestyle rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach. Every service is tailored to the individual because no two clients are the same.
One thing that sets Salon Aura apart is my commitment to education and innovation. The beauty industry is constantly evolving, and I believe my clients deserve the newest techniques, highest-quality products, and personalized recommendations. That’s why I’ve continued expanding my services to include advanced hair restoration, giving clients experiencing thinning hair another option to regain both their hair and their confidence.
Beyond the technical side of hairstyling, I want every client to feel genuinely cared for. My chair is a judgment-free space where people can relax, be themselves, and know they’re being listened to. Building long-term relationships with my clients is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
What I’m most proud of is that Salon Aura has been built one client at a time through trust, referrals, and genuine relationships. Every person who walks through my door has helped shape this business, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve my community while continuing to grow and pursue my passion.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
No one builds a business entirely on their own, and I certainly didn’t. First and foremost, I’m incredibly grateful to my clients. Many of them have been with me for years, referring their friends and family, supporting me through every stage of my career, and trusting me with something so personal—their confidence. Salon Aura wouldn’t exist without their loyalty.
I also owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to Vilma Lopez, a former salon owner, employer, and mentor. She saw potential in me, believed in me, and invested her time in helping me grow. She challenged me to elevate my skills, taught me what professionalism and excellence look like, and played a huge role in shaping me into the stylist—and now business owner—I am today. Her mentorship had a lasting impact on both my career and my confidence.
My children have been my greatest motivation throughout this journey. As a single mother, there were many moments when life felt overwhelming, but they gave me the determination to keep moving forward and continue building a better future for all of us.
I’m also thankful for every educator, coworker, and fellow stylist I’ve met along the way. Every salon, every class, every client, and every experience taught me something valuable that helped shape my career.
Finally, I’m grateful for everyone who believed in me before I fully believed in myself. Building a business isn’t something you do alone, and every word of encouragement, referral, and act of kindness helped me get to where I am today.
Pricing:
- Complementary Hair restoration consultations
- CALECIM Professional Hair Restoration Programs
- Custom Color Services
- Balayage & Lived-In Color
- Hair Extensions
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.Salonaurahair.com
- Instagram: @Nataliajade_hair
