We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashley Sanchez-Minaya a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ashley, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

Choosing a business name was no easy task. I had a personal attachment to the name I used for my previous business before I settled on ‘Haus of Rizos.’ I was also transitioning between businesses, which added to the pressure of choosing a name I would not regret. Over several months, I dedicated myself to brainstorming, jotting down words, and seeking inspiration from various sources to find the perfect name. As I took some time to contemplate what I wanted my business to symbolize, I knew I wanted to infuse a part of who I am- a born American and a proud Latina. My roots hold great significance to me, and I desire to incorporate a touch of my heritage into my business. I also transitioned as a specialist exclusively focused on curly and wavy hair. I wanted those two things fused so my clients could get a glimpse of who I am and what they will receive before they sit in my chair. I wanted all that, but I also wanted an aesthetically pleasing name and a name that could look cool on a shirt or a tote bag.

It was hard finding a name with the word curls in it. I experimented with several names, only to find they were either already taken or too similar to existing salon names. I began to feel discouraged as I struggled to find the right name. Then, one day, I stumbled upon the word ‘haus,’ which means ‘house,’ it instantly resonated with me. It looked unique, and it was everything I wanted in my name – a welcoming space that embraces every curl texture. I then added ‘Rizos,’ which means ‘curls’ in Spanish, next to it and instantly texted the name Haus of Rizos to my best friend, unsure of her reaction, but to my surprise, she LOVED it, and so did I. It represented everything I wanted in a name, but I was hesitant. So, I continued to explore other options.

Still discouraged for not finding a name, my best friend reminded me of ‘Haus of Rizos,’ and it all clicked into place. I became excited about the name and knew it was the perfect choice for my new business. Then, I got into the creative process, pondering what ‘Haus of Rizos’ would convey to my clients. I asked myself, ‘What do I want it to represent when they see my logo?’ I knew I wanted it to exude timelessness, readability, classiness, sophistication, and visual appeal that represents curls. So, I spent days playing around with different fonts, and with the help of my best friend, we created a sketch of my favorite fonts and put them together. At that moment, it was a confirmation that I had found the perfect name, one that represented a welcoming space for anyone with curly hair and a reflection of my culture.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am Ashley Sánchez-Minaya, a passionate cosmetologist specializing in all curl textures! I have been in the hair industry for six years, and I have dedicated all six years to self-teaching myself about curly hair and the science behind it.

What sparked my interest in becoming a curl specialist was not learning about my curls. While I gained valuable knowledge in cosmetology school, I graduated without a clear understanding of what my hair needed, which led to damage to my curls.

I graduated in 2017, and during that time, there was not a lot of curl education, and with the little there was, I didn’t have the funds to afford the classes. That’s because I chose to graduate cosmetology and go straight into chair rent – typically what an established stylist goes into.

Throughout my hair career, I dedicated all my downtime to understanding every curl type by researching and conducting trial and error with my close friends and family. My goal was clear: I wanted to be known as a curl specialist, yet I continued to cater to all hair types while self-educating on the art of curly cuts, styles, and color without compromising the curl texture.

It wasn’t until 2020, during the pandemic shutdown, that I invested all of my time in learning curls and deeply understanding the science behind them. It was then that everything began to click for me. With my growing expertise, I prioritized tailoring each curl service to the client’s unique hair health stage and hair goals, all while educating them about their curls. I aim to ensure that clients not only leave with beautiful curls but also with the knowledge and strategies to boost their curl confidence!

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I’ve dedicated six years to building my reputation. As mentioned earlier, after graduating from cosmetology school, I chose to rent a chair – a path typically taken by established stylists seeking independence. This decision required me to actively seek and retain my clientele, ensuring I could consistently cover my rental fees on time. It’s worth noting that chair rental is not the typical choice for new stylists without a pre-existing client base; I began with just a handful of supportive friends and family members eager to back my new career.

Recognizing the power of social media, I decided to leverage my personal pages, transforming them into business platforms to raise awareness about my services. I started posting content related to hair education, scalp care, and tools for curly hair. I didn’t have a detailed plan for what and how I would post. Instead, I shared before & after photos and information, I wish I had known when I began my journey with curls. My goal was to be relatable, giving clients and potential clients a glimpse of who I am and my curl journey. I wanted my social media friends to know that I am THE stylist for them, their friends, and their families. Finally, I used social media to reach out to online friends, inquiring if they need a new stylist and expressing my enthusiasm for having them in my chair.

My advice to anyone starting their social media presence is to be yourself and keep going! Authenticity is key when it comes to building an online audience. By being yourself, you naturally attract like-minded individuals to your online space. It’s easier than trying to pretend to be someone you’re not, which can be exhausting. Prioritizing your mental health ensures that by being yourself, you create a healthy online presence for your audience.

Building an online audience is a gradual process with positive outcomes. You may feel that no one is paying attention to your work, but they are. Many people like to observe and are still getting to know you to determine if they want to invest their time and money in your business. Don’t get discouraged if some things don’t work out. The beauty of this journey is that you can try various ways to engage with people while learning during the process!

It has taken me all this time to establish a strong online presence where I am now known for specializing in curly hair. I even have clients and those who have never sat in my chair vouching for me online.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I was taught the foundations of hair in school, but when it came to business, I had to figure it out as I went. Luckily, I picked up some tips from the salons I worked in and even chatted with a few family members who were also trying to make their way into the business world. At the bank where I opened my first business account, the bank manager was a valuable resource. They shared insightful business tips as I navigated the early stages of my career. When I entered into a partnership, my understanding of business expanded further. Yet, it was through a local program in my city called Spring GR that I deepened my comprehension of business practices. This program, aimed at assisting entrepreneurs like me, helped refine my business skills and provided guidance on my strengths and areas for improvement. It even connected me with a business coach, providing one-on-one guidance to enhance my understanding of business. In addition to this, I’ve expanded my knowledge by reading books such as ‘Building a StoryBrand,’ ‘Relentless,’ and ‘Profit First.’ I also indulge myself in podcasts like Britt Seva, ‘Diary of a CEO’ and TV Shows like ‘Shark Tank’ to further develop my business knowledge and mindset.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hausofrizosstudio.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/hausofrizosstudio?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Other: https://instagram.com/ashleysanchezcurls?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Image Credits
Photo Credit (first 4 photos) : @_aestheticcaptures_