Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Valdez – Gamboa.
Hi Cynthia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My hairdressing journey started with the influence of my mother a hairdresser and business owner of many years. I grew up in the border towns of Brownsville, Tx and Matamoros Mex., admiring the distinct style and flare of my community narrated by my mother’s special gift for hairdressing. My career started with the intention of helping people feel comfortable with themselves and find their voice through their hair. My career has been an ode to all the things that made me who I am. My best memories are at a hair salon and my goal is to be able to create a safe space to create beautiful memories and meaningful connections with people through my art.
Living in Austin Texas since 2012 allowed me to form a signature style not just for my ready-to-wear hairstyles but my career and formation as a hairdresser as well. Finding my voice and style has given me a chance to explore editorial hairdressing as well. In 2015 and 2016, I had the honor to be a finalist for the North American hairdressing awards as New comer stylist of the year and Hairstylist of the year which is one of the highest honors in editorial hairdressing in North America.
Serving the Austin, TX community has encouraged and nurtured my talent not just as a hairstylist but as a business owner as well.
Since 2015 Little Thrills salon & co. has been a beacon of hope for a young hairdresser like myself to grow creatively and professionally as a hairdresser and business owner. In 2018 life took a turn for me and I had to make a sudden move to South Texas after almost 4 years of establishing a business in ATX which was life-altering but the commitment to my clients remained.
Serving the Austin, tx community was always a priority for me through it all and where my heart has always been. Luckily for me, my clients felt the same love for me which allowed me to work two locations, pandemic and all. The patience my clients had with my process and the importance they gave to my craft is what has allowed me to continue to be in business in two cities despite all the bumps in the road, for which I am forever thankful.
In 2023, we embark on a renewed adventure in Austin, TX in a new location where we will be offering our signature Intuitive Haircutting services and hair painting full time. Our services are tailored to each client in a unique way, taking in consideration their lifestyle, hair texture, and hair routine. Taking always in consideration hair is linked to all aspects of ourselves in an emotional and physical way. Our goal is to provide services that are ready to wear effortlessly at home as they do in the salon. Making our clients feel confident and whole visit after visit is a purpose I fulfill every day.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It’s been everything but SMOOTH. In 2018 my life took an unexpected turn as life sometimes does and stirred me in a direction I never imagined, with a lot of hope and faith I took a leap and decided to serve my south Texas (Rio Grande Valley ) community at the same time as I did ATX. Opening a second location and starting over after being established in ATX was one of the scariest moves I have ever made. Maybe it was survival mode kicking in after losing my mother who was my best friend, biggest supporter and ally in life. Her loss absolutely destroyed me but the inherited passion from her craft just a whole load of love for what I do got me through starting over in a new city, an unexpected pandemic, a lockdown and handling TWO locations with a new baby in tow. As I share this with you I’d love to tell you it was easy but some days I sure wanted to give up.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work comes from the heart. Hairdressing is not just hair, not just a haircut but a life-altering experience that impacts not just your image but your mood, your self-esteem and how you carry yourself in the world. I do not take that responsibility lightly. At Little Thrills & co. I focus on my Intuitive cutting services and hair painting, considering client’s lifestyle, mood and emotional commitment to the change we want to create. To ensure this process is smooth, I make sure to have a thorough consultation that is provided before every service and involve the client in the process to create a relationship of trust where we both have the same goal which is a beautiful hair experience and a hair service that is impactful and long-lasting. I have a huge responsibility as well with my Latinx community so I am committed to creating an encouraging space for all types and textures that characterize our hair culture as well.
I believe the approach to hair I am committed to sharing with my clients is what sets my business apart. At almost 500+ FIVE star reviews on style seat, I can tell you with confidence serving with love and heart is what sets my work apart.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The hairdressing industry is making a HUGE shift that will benefit the stylist as much as the client in the next 5 years. Hairdressers are choosing environments that are one on one and personalized. We are leaving behind the old salon model of crowded salons and walk-in appointments. I believe the industry is finally prioritizing the artistic aspect and allowing us as artists to have flexibility in where and how we create which results in quality hair services and meaningful connections between artist and client.
When it comes to trends, we will always romanticize the past and will continue to bring the retro aesthetic to the present with our own very special touch which is always very exciting to me as an artist.
Pricing:
- Intuitive Haircut Session $90+
- Hair Painting and Balayage 200+
- Moon Cycle scalp Treatments 60+
- Intuitive Scalp assessment + oil Treatment $55+
Contact Info:
- Website: www.littlethrills.co
- Instagram: @littlethrillssalon | @culturedmane
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@culturedmane
