Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabrielle DeSantis.
Hi Gabrielle, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I knew I wanted to do hair since I was a little girl. I did a career research presentation in middle school on cosmetology and basically made my career decision more permanent then. I had a hairstylist growing up named Reagan and looked up to her so much. I thought her life was basically perfect! She would always dress so trendy and we just talked about life and school while listening to fun music and experimenting with fun colors and haircuts on myself. Reagan moved away and after that I had to find a new hairstylist while I was in high school her name is Jennifer. Jennifer was another huge role model for me and I loved her story. She was a salon owner and A single mom at a very young age. I think that is what really put the idea in my head that wow she has been through some really heavy stuff and she is so successful also I could also be a business owner and hairdresser one day. She had the cutest little tiny house salon off of Guadalupe st in downtown Austin and it really made me daydream about the day I would be just like her! I started beauty school at the Aveda institute in Austin right out of graduating high school and found that I thrived finally for once in a school. I grew up really struggling in academics growing up and almost got held back in school more than once because I wasn’t learning as fast as the other kids. But in beauty school, I got an A on all of my quizzes and tests. It really made me feel good and confident in myself and my potential. I worked at an Aveda salon as an assistant for almost a year, I had 2 incredible stylists that I worked under and learned a lot from Jaime and Tiffany. I left that job because I wasn’t happy with my boss at the time. She reminded me of my teachers in grade school that wanted to hold me back and steal my confidence away from me… and knew that the minute I started feeling that way, it would be a very toxic place for me to stay in. I didn’t want to lose that magic spark I felt when I first started doing hair. I work as a commission hair stylist at a salon called babyface for 5 years and while I worked there, I had a second job as a stylist and moved up to a management position at a blow dry bar called blo at the domain. After a while, I started feeling like I was losing those dreams I once had of being a salon owner and felt myself getting too comfortable working under someone else’s control. So I started booth renting and after a year of that, I found the salon I now own today! I’ve been a salon owner for 3+ years now:) And absolutely LOVE it.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Haha, I think every salon owner can relate to this.. sometimes you have to fail in some areas to learn the business side of things. Having a savings account and preparing for taxes etc.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in blondes, and lived in color. I also love doing men’s haircuts.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Starting out in the industry I definitely was inspired by a lot of people I worked with and the people that were big influences on me before I started. Building a relationship with these people and always knowing that they are happy to help you or answer any questions you have is great. I find more inspo now from social media and love that everyone is a lot more open to online education and sharing formulas and techniques. I also have a lot of friends that do hair, so asking them for advice and hearing how they handle situations at work is great as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hairbygabrielle.com/
- Instagram: @gab_doeshair
Image Credits
Katherine Larson
