Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Adrian Arredondo . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Adrian , thanks for joining us today. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

I think the first time I earned money as an artist is when I learned that i turned my passion for art into a profitable venture.
My love for art started in Mexico where I attended Art School right before I ended up moving to Los Angeles
I still remember those days,
It feels like ages ago..
I was young and naive, always looking for the next adventure.
I was 20 years old when I moved to United States and I think back then it never crossed my mind that I could possibly make a living as an artist.
I used to work in a hair salon in Beverly Hills, Byron Salon as an assistant.
I remember when I did my first celebrity client as a Hair Stylist, I didn’t even know anything about celebrities back then.
I am not going to get into details about the client but it was an “It girl” back then and the moment she left the salon I hear an inner voice telling me that I was ready and that I was in the right direction.
The same week I collected my paycheck and I remember feeling like a million dollars ahaha
It wasn’t a lot of money but I couldn’t believe how could I make that kind of money by doing hair or doing something that I enjoyed.
Then I realized it wasn’t just a job, it was a craft.
Ohh the “It girl” was Mary Kate Olsen,
Little did I know those moments were going to be very important in my career.
The paycheck was spent on a music turntable at Amoeba at their first location in hollywood on Sunset Blvd.
sadly Amoeba got demolished to make way for a 200-unit residential tower.
But I will always say it was a check well spent.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a Mexican born hair stylist based in Los Angeles and also a Beauty Contributor for LATIMES IMAGE.
I have years of experience in hair for film, editorial, runway, commercial & e-commerce.
I love creating hair for film because I get to read stories and create the looks based on behaviors, lifestyle and sometimes specific characteristics.
You can also find my work on the music videos of The 1975, Charli XCX, Miley Cyrus, Chelsea Wolfe and other artists.

Being a hair stylist is not always fun but it has given me a life full of inspirations, aspirations and creativity.
I am a session hair stylist in Los Angeles and also travel to Paris during fashion seasons to create hair styles for the Ready to wear and couture runway collections.
I like to stay inspired and current with what’s happening around me and this generation.
I think is very important to keep learning.
I am a millennial, a very special era in time.
We experienced the analog world and now live in the digital world.
I am still learning as a hair stylist and I like it that way.

A self note:
Be curious, courageous and crate.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

There’s tons of information out there in how to manage your time as an artist and also how to monetize & promote your work but I think there’s not a lot of books or educators talking about the artists and the client,
The relationship between client, talent & creator.
I think I could write a book about how to communicate on business as an artists.
Is very important to educate yourself when closing a deal, getting a job or negotiating a rate.
Do you work and research the client, what kind of work they create, their history and the brand.
I think this is the perfect message for the new generation out there trying to find jobs, getting business and educating themselves.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The goal is infinite.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.adrianarredondohair.net
• Instagram: @hairbyadrian
• Other: Substack

  Adrian Arredondo

Image Credits

No credit