Today we’d like to introduce you to April Ruiz.
Hi April, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I remember when I was in middle school, I had to fill out a questionnaire of what I would like to be when I grow up. I had always loved putting on makeup and playing with hair, but it never occurred to me until then, that’s what I had wanted to do when I grew up. I come from a family of healthcare workers, so the idea of me going into Cosmetology school was not favored. I went to Austin Community College after high school to start my nursing degree, but quickly realized that was not what I was passionate about. It took some convincing from my parents, but we finally toured The Paul Mitchell Academy of Austin. That’s when I knew I wanted to pursue hair. I loved the energy and community of the school. I felt like I was in my element.
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?
There were times where it wasn’t easy. I was balancing beauty school and also raising my son. I had him when I was 15 years old, so at this time when I started school he had just turned 3. And I remember thinking I should have started sooner. I had school on Saturdays, so I always felt guilty leaving him with my parents. But I was determined to start what I finished for him, myself and my family. And with my strong support system from my parents, I was blessed to finish what I started. I remember watching Grease 2, and thinking to myself, I am not going to be a beauty school dropout either. In this industry, you will sacrifice a lot of your time building a reputation and career. And that was at times very hard to do and balance my duty as a mom.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a hairstylist of 18 years, I feel so grateful to do what I love. I like to say my specialty is diversity. I service everyone of all ages and all backgrounds. To me hair is a fabric that we are all born with, and it becomes part of our essence. When I first started out in the industry, I worked for a company called Visible Changes. It was a departmentalized salon, so I specialized in hair cutting for a few years. As I started to evolve, I felt that color was a scientific art form, and chemistry is a whole other language that takes time to understand. The art of cutting hair is created by the fundamentals of geometry. With those skills combined, I felt I truly could create art. I would say I am most known for my conversations and love of people and hair. I am so proud of how far I have come. I have been a solopreneur for 2.5 years now, and never thought I would have created my own safe space. What I feel is unique about my studio, is the importance of creating a space that is fun, and also a place to truly get to know people. Everyone has a story to tell, and I love to hear them.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I have always enjoyed working with a team and a company, but when the pandemic hit, that’s when I had to shift my priorities. I had mixed emotions during this time in my life. I had just helped my son move to Chicago to attend his first year of college and I was a mess. From the emotions, to navigating a city that we had never been too, to realizing that life was too short and I needed to make some decisions. When I came back to work, my clients and I realized that I was put in a tough spot. I had to now choose between work and family. So they suggested working for myself, and that’s when the idea was born. It was the best decision I have made for myself, my clients, and most importantly my family. I have had many opportunities arise that I feel wouldn’t have been presented if I didn’t take these risks.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thehairalcove.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hair.byaprile
Image Credits
Joel Fentanes
