Today we’d like to introduce you to Marissa Zapata.
Hi Marissa, 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 became a single mother at age 20, and almost immediately after having my oldest daughter, I began and finished medical assisting school. I met my ex-husband in 2005 about the time I finished school and was in the medical field until 2013. After I added two more girls to the mix and got divorced, I decided that the medical field was not something I wanted to be in, so I decided to enroll in cosmetology school. I felt like the oldest one there. They had not had a master stylist in about five years when I enrolled in the school’s history. After achieving a small goal of designer stylist then master stylist, I showed promise that I would be seriously successful when I graduated and got my license. So, going through a divorce, co-parenting and trying to finish school and begin a new career was very challenging. With the help of my family and church family, I was able to finish and start my career as s hairstylist. When I graduated, I began at Sport Clips, based locally in Georgetown, where I quickly became a junior assistant and star stylist. Mind you. I had only been with the company for three to four months being a brand new stylist. After leaving there, I went more upscale to The Boardroom Men’s Salon and felt I didn’t fit in and then moved across the parking lot where I was at Super Cuts for another year or so. Being a single mom, having to balance working and mom duties was getting very hard, and I got depressed. At one point I had a cancer scare and that was the last straw! I could no longer work for someone else or on someone else’s time. So on a whim I searched for another salon or another solution. I came across Grapevine Salons in south Austin. Grapevine is a community mini-suites for cosmetologists, nail technicians, barbers, massage therapists, and brow specialists.
The management team there has been a huge blessing to welcome a new “business owner.” I have been able to not only have a very flexible and financial schedule, but I have been able to give back to my community via my church, Christian Life Austin. There I have been a students and young adult leader, volunteering my time and energy helping with various projects around south Austin, even going to a nursing home we sponsor. Recently with Covid, my small business has suffered, but I am still strong in my faith that I will not plummet. I took on a two day a week part-time job in Lakeway, working in a senior living community as the sole hairstylist. I have stood in as an advocate and friend to these seniors that are not able to see their families doing this difficult time. I have grown to love my seniors as my own grandparents. I try my best to communicate with their families after services to let them know how their loved ones are doing. So, in a nutshell, that is me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been smooth sailing. I had to overcome many obstacles of being a single parent, going through a divorce, and having had to use government assistance. Honestly, If I didn’t have the help of friends, family, and community, I would not be where I am. I’m still not a millionaire or thousandaire, but I will get there one day.
As you know, we’re big fans of Beautiful Chaos Salon. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
Though I have not legally named myself, this name appears on my receipts along with my name, of course, and on my social media. The name came from a sermon about motherhood being beautiful chaos because even in its craziness and quick passing, it’s beautiful chaos. I specialize in color and Brazilian blowouts. What sets me apart is that I listen. Not going to lie. Sometimes I don’t get it right the first time, and it’s usually because I care more about the integrity of the client’s hair than the end result. I’m, not a wig specialist, so I need to make sure I don’t mess up. I work with a local men’s hair product called Unique Beard Co. They carry men’s organic facial hair products for beards. I am always looking for their best products, and I have been using Leaf and Flower, which is a therapeutic and innovated CBD charged line developed by stylists for the stylist. They are amazing! My clientele range from children to mature adults, men and women.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk-taking?
Going into business for one’s self with no business plan or financial plan is a risk, and that’s where I started. I used my tax refund to start my business and my faith and took the leap. In my first year of business, after everything was said and done, I made $12. I’m going into my third year and it looks more promising.
Contact Info:
- Email: marissazapata@live.com
- Instagram: beautifulchaossalon
- Facebook: beautifulchaossalon512
- Twitter: marissa_zap
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