Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Galindo.
Hi Rachel, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was raised by both my father’s Mexican-American family and my mother’s Caucasian family and was born and raised in East Texas. I’ve been fortunate enough to call Austin home for over 16 years now. I moved here in the summer of 2006 right after high school graduation to attend cosmetology school at Baldwin Beauty School. I didn’t quite know what I wanted to do with my education right after but eventually gravitated towards running my own business and specializing in special event styling.
I began experimenting with my own hair from a very young age and have always been fascinated by the endless possibilities of what can be done and the statement you can make with it. My high school offered vocational classes, one of them being cosmetology, so I actually began my journey in cosmetology way back during my freshman year. I’ve honestly never felt so much like a “scholarly type” as I have a “creative type”. I compare what I do to sculpting. It can be incredibly meditative and challenging all at the same time. I find it exhilarating!
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?
When I first started working as a stylist, I was serving in restaurants part-time as well while I was figuring out my path as an independent business owner. I always loved working in the restaurant industry, but having that guaranteed income also added a level of financial stability that was really helpful during that phase of my business.
At a certain point, I think my restaurant work did start to hold me back in a way. It almost felt too comfortable, and although leaving the restaurant industry wasn’t entirely my decision (thanks COVID), taking the plunge to become a full-time stylist was super scary! I had no idea how booked up I would really be once I finally did make the decision to not go back.
It was a really validating experience to see all the work that I had put into honing my skill set and managing my own business begin to pay off. And while part of me looks back sometimes and thinks, “Why didn’t I do this sooner?!” I also know that I was only ready for that moment because of the countless hours of experience that I had built up over the years.
In general, operating an independent hair styling business during a global pandemic has been incredibly challenging. I’ve worked over 150 weddings since things began to open back up, all while getting tested for COVID regularly, and happy to say I’ve still never tested positive. I realize how incredibly fortunate I am to get to say that. In our industry, health and safety has always been incredibly important, so this has just made me even more conscious of the necessary precautions to take to ensure the health and safety of not only my clients but also myself.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My primary focus is wedding hair styling, but I also occasionally take on side bookings with ACL Live where I have had the pleasure of working with the likes of Gary Clark Jr. and the band for Jon Batiste. Styled shoots and commercials just a few of the fun things my profession has led me to.
Whether I’m styling for a wedding or some other special event, what I love most, is getting to make people feel like the most beautiful versions of themselves. Seeing that confidence boost after my job is done is the ultimate joy.
Your wedding day is typically one of the happiest days if your lives! to play even a small part in that is such an honor. While my professionalism and experience as a stylist is a big part of what makes me good at what I do, I also think my ability to connect with the client on a personal level while setting a calm and welcoming tone on what can be a really hectic day, is what sets me apart. Nothing helps me to connect more with my clients than hearing their stories as we work together to create the perfect style for their special occasions.
While I really have done all sorts of hair on all varieties of hair textures, I’ve come to specialize in vintage styles, textured/curly styles, and braids.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
I’ve been really lucky to have some incredible mentors over the years and have had the privilege of working along some of the best artists out there. I’m constantly observing, asking questions, researching, and continuing my education. There are always new trends, new techniques, and new products. The education should never stop. Surround yourself with people you can learn from. If you feel like you’re the best in the room, find a new room with better-skilled people and challenge yourself. Just because your business is running well doesn’t mean you should stop growing!
Cosmetology school was just the tip of the iceberg for me. My life and career have evolved SO much since my time in school. Discovering what I want to specialize in this industry has really helped to build my confidence when it comes to my skills and running my own business. I have no doubt I’m doing exactly what I was always meant to do.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: hairbyrachelgalindo
Image Credits
Headshot: Dimitri Staszewski (Instagram: @dimitri.photo) All other images by me except for the last image
