Suggestion: Read this post wearing your favorite sheet-mask, smoking a bowl, or sipping a margarita. Pick your chillaxing method and do YOU.
This week’s post will be featuring a woman-owned small business that also happens to be an immigrant. She’s a brilliant hairstylist based out of Southern California. Once you meet Cinthya Jun, it is blatantly obvious why we became friends. She is warm, kind, patient, knowledgeable, and has a style that can’t help, but get noticed. We met during a chaotic, painful time in my life when I was still with my ex. I needed a color correction and her work easily stood out on Instagram. To this day, I do not know how she ended up on my feed, but I am thankful she did. I made an appointment and the rest of our friendship is history. I would also like to slip in a quick Happy Birthday to her. Hope you enjoyed your day my little Shakira! You deserve every happiness life has aligned for you. Tis’ Aries season!
I’m going to give a micro history lesson on the journey of how Cinthya acquired her knowledge and skillset. She was born and raised in Chihuahua, Mexico during the iconic eighties. After graduating beauty school she was already working at a well-known salon at the age of 19. When the time came for the salon to expand with a new location, Cinthya was picked to help open and grow the business. This woman helped build two small businesses, in two different countries. Talk about GRIT, Chingona vibes all day!
Back then social media didn’t exist. I can barely remember what that feels like. It was 2003 and the only way to grow your business was through honest hustle. No one relied on influencers for massive exposure. There was no magical algorithm to hash tag your way to success. You had to build a sustainable business by serving quality experiences and results, EVERY time. This is exactly what Cinthya did. Originally, the salon opened with two hairstylists, but eventually grew to four with a full day spa. Success did not arrive overnight. It took long days, happy clients, and consistency. Consistency is what gets results.
With more than 7 years experience under her belt, she decided to leave Mexico and head to California. As much as Cinthya loved her life, she missed her mother who lived in the states. The increase in crime and kidnappings was also a huge motivating factor for her to relocate. She was building a life, but wanted to have success in business and be safe at the same time. This is a common goal amongst immigrants. They want that moonshot to succeed in the “Land of Opportunity”. She bravely left EVERYTHING she knew, not knowing the language, and took a leap of faith. Unless you have actually done this, you have no clue how difficult moving to a new country is. None.
When we were discussing the struggles that came with building a life in a new country, I was shocked to learn people had made fun of her accent. These were grown adults. Gross.
Examples of questions:
“Are you here illegally?”
“What is your immigration status?”
“Why do you have such a strong accent?”
All of these types of questions were delivered with an air of superiority. Como si su mierda no apestara. Every immigrant’s story is different. How they came here, what they overcame, and what it took to make it here are wildly unalike. I cannot imagine moving to a new country and finding people that looked down on you simply because you were learning a second language. I feel sorry for people who cannot see past the end of their own nose.
Thankfully Cinthya experienced kindness as well. She met a woman who took her under her wing and taught her what it was like to build a beauty business in LA. Cinthya greatly attributes her success in America to the caring people who believed in her and viewed her as an asset. In less than a year, Cinthya found herself in another high profile salon. It was new and needed to be built from the ground up. She had done this in Mexico, but could she do it here? Instagram was still a couple years off into the future. If a small business wanted to make it, it took commitment, authenticity, and grit. That is what hairstylists are, small business entities with overhead and all the things.
The beauty industry is very competitive, especially in LA County. Even though she was brand new to the country, she had a positive impact on the growth of the salon, a business still thriving today. She remained there for 14 happy years until her recent salon change to Rancho Cucamonga, which allowed her to be closer to her family. Salon Tribeca has a relaxing atmosphere, great coffee, and many talented hair-stylists. It is a place I frequent for self-care. Not sorry in the slightest.
Over the years, Cynthia has honed her craft and technique to a point, which makes her hard work appear effortless. When I first came to her, I had black dye on my hair. Disclaimer: This was not something done by myself, but a hairstylist that did not inform me they were using black dye on my head. I learned the harsh lesson of black dye in my late teens. It is a lesson you never forget. At least I never did, which is why I was mortified to learn there was any on my hair.
Through her magic, expertise, and patience, Cinthya lifted the black color, but it took several sessions. This is something I greatly appreciate because she retained most of my hair’s integrity, despite the black dye massacre. If you’ve ever dyed your hair and wanted to do a drastic change, you can really appreciate this woman’s skill and approach to color correction. We have all been there. It’s okay; this is why her industry exists. Trust the professionals.
Over the years, she has earned a loyal clientele that has followed her over to Tribeca. I asked her for one thing she wished she could share with her clients. Being the beautiful soul that she is, the only thing that came out of her mouth were words of gratitude. She is thankful for those that have been with her since the beginning, and for all the new client-relationships she is building today. In an era of inflation, immediate satisfaction, and hunting for the lowest cost, building and maintaining patrons is a daunting task. Cinthya has continued to grow her business in a time where many small businesses have yet to recover from the Covid lockdown.
As we sit in our hairstylist’s chair, it’s easy to forget the amount of money and time spent into developing their skill. What about the overhead such as product, rent, and other hairstylist’s costs? Next time your hairstylist increases their prices, for a moment think about what they are dealing with as well. If you are happy and feeling yourself, every time you go in for an appointment, that should hold value, don’t you think? We pay corporate price increases for everything else. If we are going to suffer through inflation, why not support a woman-owned small business in the process?
Since the moment I sat in Cinthya’s chair we connected. I was in the darkest part of my ex’s addiction, but seeing her always made me forget the hell I was experiencing at home. Our friendship grew, as we got know one another, and found we had many of the same interests. Our love for everything 90’s cemented our bond. The Cranberries blasting with the windows down, she didn’t need an explanation she understood the vibe. We could talk about anything and everything, and oh did we. She knows ALL the chisme. Shhh…
You truly find out who your friends are in times of crisis. The day after I left my ex was excruciating. Reality had set in with a thud. I could hardly get through the minutes of the day without sobbing. It was the evening after I had moved and I was putting things away. Another good friend of mine had just left and I was alone with my thoughts again. I heard my phone vibrate on the granite counter tops and saw her name flash across the screen. I was filled with so much gratitude in that moment I could have floated off the floor.
As busy as she was, she took time out of her very long day to see how I was doing. She listened and offered support during a time when I needed it the most. I will not go into the details of what she said, but her words of love and encouragement will NEVER be forgotten. “You’re not just all talk, you’re really doing IT. Be proud of yourself. I am so proud of you!” I play these words over in my head whenever I need a quick pick me up. I will never be able to convey the immense impact it had for my overall wellbeing. Thank you for showing up for me in more ways than I am capable of putting into words at this time. The memory of this will be with me forever. You’re one of the best humans I know.
Here are some hair-care tips and products she actually uses:
- Know your hair texture: This allows you to buy the correct products for your specific hair type and avoid wasting money.
- Example: If you hair is curly purchase a shampoo that is going to provide extra moisture to the strands. Moisturizer shampoos are best. If you have fine hair, use a shampoo that will lend volume and so on.
- Use a clarifying shampoo once a week to get rid of product build-up, oils, and conditioners. (I need to add this to my routine. Making a mental note.)
- Add a couple drops of hair-oil/hair-mask to your mane and braid before bed. As you sleep you move around which causes the hair to become knotted. Braiding will help reduce tangles.
- Brush less. 100 strokes a day is a myth. Brushing is another form of friction, which will also lead to damaged tresses.
If you would like to book a consultation, visit Cinthya’s IG profile and send her a DM. She’s never met a hair crisis she hasn’t healed. I can personally attest to this.
The next time you find yourself at the salon, think about the blood, sweat, and tears that went into your quality cut, color, or any other hair service performed on your head. Are you posting selfies after leaving the salon? Yes? Then they’re absolutely worth it. Make sure your hairstylist knows they’re appreciated.
Heads-up; a future post with an in depth look at the obstacles Cinthya overcame to make it in America will be published later this year. Raise a glass to my MexiCAN, Chingona, Hermosa, amiga, Shakira look-alike of mine. You’re an inspiration mujer! You will always have me in your corner. Por Vida.
Until next week XOXO
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