We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Atalaya Lara a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Atalaya , appreciate you joining us today. Folks often look at a successful business and imagine it was an overnight success, but from what we’ve seen this is often far from the truth. We’d love to hear your scaling up story – walk us through how you grew over time – what were some of the big things you had to do to grow and what was that scaling up journey like?

I started Hair by a Blonde in 2017. I actually started my own business in 2016. I had a partner but that didn’t work out. When I went completely on my own I had very little clientele and I was 4 months pregnant with my second daughter. I had to figure out a way to get my name out there somehow and build my books. I first started by promoting myself on social media. I did try the whole Groupon thing but that didn’t work at all. Then I came up with the idea to try to find influencers in my city with bigger followings. I asked so many ladies if they would allow me to do their hair completely free for promotion. Most wouldn’t respond or they would say “do I know you” lol. But the few that did believe in me allowed me to show my skills and in turn promoted my work on their platforms. That definitely helped get my name noticed so I will forever be grateful for them. Definitely in business the road is up and down. There have been many times where i literally made no profit at all. The thing is when your a business owner you work 24/7. You have to. Yes people do only see the success of it, but they don’t see the sleepless nights, the working until midnight, missing important time with your family. There’s days you feel that you want to give up. A major thing for my business to grow was networking, and I mean in -person networking. We are in a technological world but I still believe in the old school way by going around businesses, dropping off business cards and having the face to face interactions with people. It a hard road to be in business but the rewards are so great.

Atalaya , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I got into the industry when I was 19 years old. I taught myself how to do hair in high school. I studied at the Aveda Institute of San Antonio and then quickly after graduating there I started at K. Charles & Co. I honestly owe a lot to the women there that took me under their wing and showed me a whole new world. I grew up in a really small town, Floresville Texas. When I started at that salon I had no idea what anything was. They believed and saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself and gave me the discipline to be a powerhouse in this industry. I specialize in color corrections and blonding. I take dark hair to the next level of blonde that some people are afraid to do. What sets me apart is that I take my time in giving each of my clients my undivided attention and very detailed in my work. I also give them the knowledge to learn how to take care of their hair and what I’m doing so that they better understand. I’m most proud of my Cut. Thon. It’s where I and a bunch of barbers and stylists do free haircuts for donations to raise money to fund a grant to give to a cosmetology or barber student. We also have vendors come in that help donate as well. I think that is my greatest accomplishment being able to give back to an industry that gave me the skills to always take of myself and my family. I want potential clients and my followers to know that, my goal is to always give you the best of me and service. I want people to know that I am human too and that my road is hard just like everyone but to not give up.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I built my social media presence by reaching out to people and doing networking events. Also, supporting other businesses is one of the things that really helps. You always want to support others, even within the same industry. Just taking the leap and putting yourself out there.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I first came home from North Carolina to texas after my divorce I had not a cent to my name and a baby. I had to start from the ground up again. I started at a salon but had no clientele. I had to get two other jobs to supplement my income while I built my clientele, so I worked 7 days a week between all my jobs. My car was getting repossessed and I ended up having to file for bankruptcy. It was a very hard time for me but I kept my head up and kept pushing forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vagaro.com/hairbyablonde1
• Instagram: Hairbyablonde
• Facebook: Hairbyablondee