Today we’d like to introduce you to Lashanda L’oreal.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My cosmetology career began over a decade ago. It all started when I was laid off from my job of 10 years. Prior to cosmetology, I worked for a workers comp company where I was the liaison between the adjuster, the injured worker, and the pharmacy. I also worked in sales & marketing as an inside sales admin.
After being laid off, I decided to follow my passion for doing hair; shortly after, I started cosmetology school at Paul Mitchell The School. I finished school in 8 months and immediately received my cosmetologist license and started working at a salon as a commission stylist. After six months of working as a commission stylist, I was ready for more.
I knew that I had the skills and knowledge to make more money and I wanted more for myself than just working for someone else. Though I didn’t have the clientele that most would have when becoming an independent stylist, I was willing to take that risk. I had faith in myself and my work ethic. I knew it was just a matter of time before I would increase my clientele as well as my income.
I found a salon where I was renting both and slowly but surely my clientele started growing just as I thought. A few years into working independently my husband got a job opportunity in California. My family and I relocated to California in 2013 and there I found myself having to start all over again. I had to first get my CA cosmetology license which was a long process.
I had to wait almost a year to hear back from the CA board of cosmetology because that’s how long their waiting list was. Then once I heard from them they advised me that I would have to take the Cosmetology exams. In CA, you have a practical exam as well as a written exam. I passed both and started working at Regis in the Thousand Oaks Mall. I worked there for a little less than a year and once again I wanted more.
At Regis, my clientele was limited as well as my income. So I started working as a commission stylist at another salon again while trying to build up clientele in addition to working at the Drybar on the weekends to gain more clientele and earn additional tips/income. After working as a commission stylist for about 6 months. I took yet another leap of faith and got my own studio this time. Business was good, but I did experience a period where I didn’t have clients as I expected.
It was a struggle but I put my sales and marketing skills to use. I started to promote myself on social, running ads as well as participating in different local events such as fashion shows, charity etc to put myself and business out there. The clientele started to increase and then I started getting referrals from clients. In 2017/2018, I decided to take a break from doing hair to spend more time with my daughter who was a senior in high school at the time. I knew right after high school she would be moving back to FL so I wanted to savor every moment with her.
In 2019, I opened yet another studio but this time in the same mall where the first salon I worked for (Regis) in California was located. Business was good being that I had clients and we were located in the mall; then the pandemic happened and basically I had to shut down because CA pretty much shut down all cosmetology/barbering/nails/esthetician services. Basically, only the essential businesses were opened.
In October 2021, my husband received a job offer here in Jacksonville and we moved back. Shortly after moving back, I began my search of trying to find a studio here. I knew I wanted to be in the St. Johns Town Center because it is a great location, but at the time nothing was over here. After visiting a few salon studios, I came across Sola Salon’s riverside location not knowing that they were in the process of building a location in the st johns town center.
I met with the manager and toured the riverside location and he gave me all the details for the St. John’s location. A week later, I toured the St. John’s location which was currently under construction. I quickly picked out my current studio # 104 and the location of my studio. I paid the deposit to hold it until it was set to open which was Jan 2022. As soon as I got the green light, I moved in and I absolutely love it!
This location is great, with a lot of walking traffic, and exactly where I wanted to be. Becoming my own boss, in the beginning, was scary but honestly, I wouldn’t trade anything about this journey. Taking this leap of faith has afforded me the freedom to live life on my terms while doing what I love to do.
I honestly love helping people. In this industry, you have the opportunity to make women and men feel good about themselves and I truly believe when you look good, your hair is done, you feel good. You feel like money! I love it! Also, hairstylists are like therapists I get to encourage, listen to, uplift, and just pour into every client that sits in my chair.
Honestly, that is the highlight of my day. Talking with my clients and getting to know them is one of my favorite parts of being a cosmetologist.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It hasn’t always been a walk in the park, but honestly, I feel like nothing worth having comes easy. Honestly, I was up for the challenges that came with becoming an entrepreneur.
I’ve embraced every challenge with grace and faith knowing that becoming an entrepreneur is a journey and a process, every day isn’t going to be successful and peachy, but with the right mindset, strategies, worth ethic, dedication, support, and clientele success would soon come.
As you know, we’re big fans of Loreal Styles Salon LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Loreal Styles Salon is a multicultural salon located in St. John’s Town Center, Jacksonville, FL. I am Lashanda L’oreal a native of Jacksonville and a licensed cosmetologist with over 12+ years of experience behind the chair.
I received my license from Paul Mitchell The School in Florida. I specialize in natural hair care and extensions; However, with my extensive training, knowledge & experience, I also offer cutting, coloring, and styling services.
My goal is to not only meet my client’s needs and wants but to exceed their expectations while maintaining the integrity of their hair. At Loreal Styles Salon you can expect professionalism, excellent customer service, quality hair care & service, a welcoming atmosphere, and an overall unique & amazing experience.
What’s next?
My plans for the future are to continue to use the gifts God has given me to help others.
Continue to service my clientele at Loreal styles salon; also I recently received my FL Real Estate License, so I plan to continue to do my due diligence of helping people by helping families change their trajectory while creating a legacy and building wealth.
I’m excited about this new journey #sealthedealwithLoreal.
Pricing:
- Shampoo, Silk Press & Cut $100
- Shampoo & Silk press $75
- Full Microlinks Install Hair Included $1500
- Full Tape-Ins Hair Included $980
- Wedding Session $250
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Linktr.ee/Lashandaloreal
- Instagram: Instagram.com/mrslashandaloreal
- Facebook: Facebook.com/Lashandaloreal
- Twitter: Twitter.com/Lashandaloreal
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/c/LashandaLoreal
