Today we’d like to introduce you to Layla Gonzalez.
Hi Layla, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Right out of high school, I began going taking courses at ACC. I started by doing my basics because I needed to figure out what I wanted to make career-wise. After taking about three semesters of classes, I was not passionate about it. I decided to drop out and follow what was calling me, which was cosmetology school. I began school at Regency Beauty Institute in 2016 but about five weeks into my program, the entire school shut down due to a lack of funds. My classmates and I felt very defeated, but we kept pushing on and eventually found a home at Avenue Five Institute. It was a blessing in disguise because I learned and prospered so much at that school. My instructors and classmates were highly inspiring, and it did feel like a home I could grow in. I graduated from cosmetology school in November 2017 and earned my license in January 2018, the day after my 22nd birthday. I began working two jobs in my field, one as a hairstylist assistant/apprentice and one as a new lash technician, all while still maintaining my restaurant job. Becoming a lash technician was originally only supposed to be more of a side hustle. At the same time, I finished my apprenticeship, but the universe had other plans, and I ended up falling in love with lashing just as much as I had fallen in love with hairdressing. After one year, I decided I couldn’t choose between my two passions, so I decided to find a way to work both. I left the salon and the restaurant job I worked for and opened a studio, first sharing with another stylist. After two and a half years and two studios later, we decided we were both too busy to share a location and went our separate ways. I moved my studio from Cedar Park into Georgetown, working on building my clientele while also working as a Master Trainer at Amazing Lash Studio and teaching another stylist my passion for lashing. I stayed in Georgetown for a year and a half until earlier this year I found a beautiful space to rent in the Downtown Round Rock area. I fell in love with the location, considering I grew up there, and decided to take my passion back to my roots. I am now and have been working for myself since I was 23, and I couldn’t be happier with where my career has taken me.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have been many obstacles. From the beginning of my journey and having my first cosmetology school close down without warning, to Covid closing down hair salons, to just me second guessing myself and my abilities, however, if some of those obstacles hadn’t come up, I would not be where I am today. With Regency closing down, many people assumed I would have taken it as a sign not to join this industry, but I took it as motivation. The next day after the school closure, I was out looking for another school I knew I would love, and I was lucky enough to find it. Then with Covid making its way in 2020, many of my clients came back after the shutdown and told me how much they missed my work, not just their services in general, but MY work. It opened my eyes to the fact that I was genuinely great at my career. It pushed me to leave my backup plans and take my career to the next level. Of course, cutting off my safety nets and going out on my own was easier said than done. I second-guessed myself and kept wondering what would happen if I failed. In my last week at my old job, I was having a conversation with my dad about the whole thing. I told him my worries and how nervous I was about it, and I just said, “what if it doesn’t work out,” and he replied with, “what if it does, kid?’. And it just got me thinking how right he was. Many people will go through these huge obstacles, but one of the biggest ones will be yourself. I just had to keep pushing.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Hairdresser and a Master Lash Technician and Trainer. I’ve been called a one-stop-shop by many. Many of my hair clients have turned into lash clients and vice versa. I couldn’t decide between my love for hair and lashes, so I decided to continue with both. In hair, I specialize in blonding and live in color. I have spent years educating myself on how to get the most bang for your buck when it comes to placement to give a client the perfect grow-out, so she still feels fresh color for a longer time. In lashing, I specialize in natural-looking volume lashes. Most of my clients love that full, dramatic look while still being able to look natural on those no-makeup days.
I’ve spent a lot of time as well perfecting the perfect balance. In my experience, I’ve seen that my clients are busy women, and sometimes our self-care becomes less and less important on our to-do lists. So, I work extremely hard to ensure long-lasting results for hair and lashes so my clients look and feel beautiful for as long as possible. From time to time, I also host lash training for a company in Round Rock, where I train new-hire stylists to do lashes. I am very proud of all aspects of my career, but where I am most proud is my training experience. It truly is a beautiful thing to be a part of. I have watched dozens of new stylists become these amazing stylists, some of whom have never lashed a single lash before. Some are masters in their careers now, and some are opening up their businesses. I take a lot of pride in being a part of their very own success stories. A lot of my past trainees to this day send and show me their work and how far they have come. The pride I feel when I see their smiles about their work is unmatched.
What matters most to you? Why?
Family is what matters most to me. I have a very big support system of family and friends who have believed in me throughout my entire journey and continue to support me in my future. My family has always been there through the most challenging times, and because of that, I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. They are my biggest fans.
Contact Info:
- Website: studiohermosa.booksy.com
- Instagram: @laylaaschair__
