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Life & Work with Rosalinda of Austin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rosalinda.

Hi Rosalinda, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I served in the Army for 11 years, and when my husband and I reached a crossroads in our lives, we decided it was the right time for me to leave the military. He was still serving on active duty, and together we felt it was the best decision for our family. I stayed home with our two youngest children until my daughter turned one, and then my husband asked me a simple question that changed everything.

On our very first date in 2020, he had asked me what my dream job would be. Without hesitation, I told him I wanted to do hair, travel, and one day build a brand of my own. When we revisited that conversation years later, he looked at me and said, “Then why don’t you do that?” The very next day, I enrolled in cosmetology school.

When I started school, I thought I wanted to do everything—hair, nails, facials, and eyelash extensions. Through the process of learning and eliminating what wasn’t for me, I discovered that my true passion was hair.

During school, I shadowed several salons because I wanted to make the best decision for my future and understand what kind of stylist I wanted to become. I eventually accepted an apprenticeship at a local salon and truly believed I had found the perfect opportunity. After a few months, though, I realized my long-term vision didn’t align with the salon’s. They wanted stylists to represent the salon’s brand, while my dream had always been to build a brand of my own. I want to educate, work with professional brands, and eventually become known for my work with K-tip extensions and healthy, beautiful hair.

After five months as an apprentice, I made one of the scariest decisions of my life—I left to become an independent booth renter. I was a brand-new stylist with no clientele, and I remember thinking, “What did I just do?” It was absolutely terrifying, but it was also the best decision I could have made.

I realized I didn’t need to stay somewhere that limited my vision. I just needed a supportive environment and a commitment to never stop learning. At 37, I knew I didn’t want to sit around waiting for opportunities. I needed to create them.

I already had an LLC from a previous boutique business, so I registered my DBA, Luna Rose TX Hair, and officially launched my own brand.

Since becoming an independent hairstylist at The Wild Thorn Collective in Killeen, Texas, I’ve continued investing heavily in education. I’ve become a Danger Jones Certified Color Stylist and was added to their Stylist Locator, and I’m also a K18 PRO Specialist. Every certification, every class, and every client has reinforced that taking a chance on myself was worth it.

Today, my passion goes beyond creating beautiful hair. I love helping people feel confident, educating my clients on how to care for their hair, and creating a luxury experience where they feel genuinely seen and cared for. Looking back, it’s amazing to think that one simple question from my husband led me to a career that truly feels like I was meant to do.

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?
Absolutely not! There have been so many moments where I’ve questioned myself.

Leaving the Army after 11 years was a huge adjustment. I went from knowing exactly what my job was every day to starting over in a completely different career at 36 now 37. There were definitely times I wondered if I was too old to be starting from scratch or if I had made the right decision.

The biggest struggle was taking the leap into booth renting. I had just walked away from what most people would consider the “safe” option. It’s scary because if I don’t make it work, there is no one else to blame.

Another challenge has been learning that being a hairstylist is only part of the job. You’re also the marketing department, customer service, accountant, photographer, content creator, and business owner all at the same time. There are days where it can feel overwhelming. Especially since I’m still learning how to even create content.

I’ve also had to learn that not every opportunity is the right opportunity. Leaving my apprenticeship wasn’t easy because I truly thought that’s where I was supposed to be. But I realized my dreams were bigger than fitting into someone else’s vision. I wanted to build my own brand, continue investing in education, and create an experience that felt like me.

At the end of the day, I don’t regret any of it. Every struggle has pushed me to grow, trust myself more, and keep moving forward. I’m a big believer that if you want something bad enough, you have to be willing to bet on yourself—even if it’s terrifying.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in creating healthy, lived-in color and customized haircuts, especially for curly, thick, and textured hair. But I also make it a point to work with all hair textures and density. I love helping clients who feel stuck with their hair finally feel confident again. Whether it’s a complete transformation or simply refining the shape of a haircut, my goal is always to create something that fits the person sitting in my chair, not just what’s trending.

A big part of what I do goes beyond the haircut or color itself. I want my clients to truly understand their hair so they can work with it instead of constantly fighting it. Everyone’s hair is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. I take the time to educate my clients on how to care for and style their hair in a way that fits their lifestyle. My goal is for them to leave my chair feeling confident, go home, recreate their style, and genuinely love their hair every day—not just on salon day.

One thing I’m really proud of is that I’ve never stopped investing in my education. Even as a new stylist, I’ve made continuing education one of my biggest priorities because I truly believe my clients deserve the best I can give them. I’m always looking for the next class or certification because I know there’s always something new to learn.

I think what sets me apart is the experience I create. I don’t believe an appointment should feel rushed. My clients receive one-on-one attention, a relaxing scalp massage, a hot towel with their conditioner, personalized education throughout their appointment, and a stylist who genuinely listens to what they’re looking for. I want every person who sits in my chair to leave feeling heard, cared for, and confident—not just in how their hair looks that day, but in knowing how to maintain it long after they leave.

More than anything, I’m proud that I took a chance on myself. Building Luna Rose TX Hair from the ground up has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but seeing my dream slowly become a reality reminds me every day that taking that leap was worth it.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
It’s hard to pick just one memory because my favorite part of my childhood was simply growing up with my family. I’m the oldest of five and the only girl, with four younger brothers. We definitely drove each other crazy, but those are some of the memories I cherish the most.

Some of my favorite moments were spending weekends at the lake, water skiing, riding jet skis, and getting pulled behind the boat on a tube. Looking back now, I realize how young my parents were and how intentional they were about spending time with us and creating those memories. We weren’t a perfect family by any means, but they did an amazing job teaching us the importance of family, hard work, and showing up for each other.

Today, we’re spread out across different states and even different countries, and life has gotten busy. Three of my four brothers are Marines, and my oldest younger brother served in the Marine Corps before becoming a law enforcement officer. Even though it’s been a long time since we’ve all been under one roof, we still have a family group chat that stays active every single day. I think that’s something really special. Those childhood memories remind me that no matter where life takes us, family will always be home.

Contact Info:

Woman with wavy brown hair smiling at camera in a hair salon, holding a red-haired person's hair. Floral wallpaper in background.

Hand holding a card in front of a person with long, red hair, indoors with ceiling lights visible

A wooden box contains a flashlight, a smartphone, a can, a small bottle, a key, and dried roses, on a wooden surface.

Hairdresser applying hair dye to a client's wet hair in a salon, with floral wallpaper in the background.

A person getting their hair styled by a hairstylist in a salon, with a window and shelves in the background.

Woman with dark hair holding a bouquet of red roses, making a playful face, standing against a white brick wall.

A person getting their eyebrows shaped with a comb and brush, surrounded by jewelry, in a salon setting.

Person with long red hair sitting in a salon chair, hair being styled, mirror and shelves in background.

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