We were lucky to catch up with AuLora Record recently and have shared our conversation below.
AuLora , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later
Looking back now, yes I would have loved to start my career earlier. But looking back I would do it all the same one hundred times over. Because what I learned in the years prior to becoming a hairstylist was how to believe in myself. To have the drive and determination to want to work hard and not goof around. I took beauty school with all seriousness when some girls didn’t. I found myself excelling and getting more out of class than my other class mates. I’d also say the time it took me to finally put my foot down really made it clear to me that this was the career I wanted. I had time to learn and grow for myself so that I can be really ready to take on this adventure and give the best services I can to my clients. Being a hairstylist never left my mind and it was still a goal I had and that there was enough proof that this is the right path for me and I shouldn’t give up on my dream.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Ever since I was 14 years old I knew I wanted to be a hairstylist. My neighbor had a salon that she’d let me help at, by cleaning up hair and taking calls for appointments. Ever since then I’ve been hooked! Sadly 2 years later I found myself in a weak spot.. my father passed away suddenly, I got stuck in unhealthy relationships cause I didn’t really know how to put myself first. I was always putting everyone else before myself. I did ask my current employer at the time if it’s possible cause they help with paying for schooling. Come to find out my manager at the time told me I wouldn’t get anywhere. She said, “I did the whole beauty school thing, and look where I am now? It will be just a waist of time…here is where you’ll actually make a living.”
I was distraught I thought my dream was nothing but a dream anymore… my exs family didn’t believe in me, some of my own family members didn’t think I’d get anywhere either. I was lost.
Then one day I put my foot down and decided to put myself first. Which this was the most selfish thing I’ve ever done in my life..I left my ex husband, decided to enroll in beauty school, and do what makes me happy. And I never looked back! I ran into my childhood crush shortly after my divorce. Come to find out he had just gotten divorced as-well, what are the odds??
Since then he was willing to support me in anything I needed as long as it made me happy. He gave me the opportunity to do what I’ve never done before! And that’s doing what I wanted and what would make ME happy.
After I enrolled it didn’t take long for me to feel like I was on cloud nine! I was top of my class in practicality all areas. With the exception of me having dyslexia and bad test anxiety, I had the best instructors who took the time to take me aside, let me be in a separate room from the class and they even read the questions to me to ensure I was understanding what questions were in-front of me. This small act of kindness ment the world to me cause I’ve always struggled with my dyslexia and anxiety overtaking me to where I’m so weak that I don’t test at the same rate as I would do the book work in class.
But when it came to doing things with my hands is where my talent really soared. So many of my instructors and classmates said I was so talented and that overwhelmed me with so much joy! It gave me the drive to prove everyone wrong who said I wouldn’t make it anywhere.
Needless to say I graduated in 2020 and I now rent my own booth in an amazing salon of ladies in Bountiful Utah called Hair Hollow. Most stylists don’t go right into booth renting but I wanted to take the risk at letting my artistic ability soar so no one could hold me back but myself. And for only being out a few years and having my schedule fairly booked up is a amazing accomplishment to me. I’m still learning every day and I take advantage of extra education whether it me online classes or in person classes I am always wanting to improve. I feel that sets me apart from many stylist. I have the drive to do my best. I may not be the fastest stylist in the area but I pride myself on being strategic and mindful of how I cut, color, or style your hair. I’m a perfectionist and I pride myself on the fact that I don’t give up. Even if it takes me 5 extra hours I’d rather be sure my client is happy and feel confident and beautiful with the work I’ve done.
It means a great deal to me that my clients come to me to let my creativity soar and they chose me to be their stylist for a reason. They see something in me that they didn’t find somewhere else, and that means the world to me. I want them to feel confident in their skin and feel like they own the room wherever they go.
This industry has given me a lot to be grateful for. Yeah, it’s a hard industry at times but thats what comes with being your own business owner. It’s given me more strength and reminds me why I love my job. I’m glad I took a chance on myself. I’m glad I never gave up. I didn’t let having a late start in life hold me back, I used it to my advantage to drive me to be the best I can be.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I pride myself on being strategic and being mindful of my clients so that I can better serve them. I’m not the fastest stylist around but I’m a perfectionist. And I’ve found 9 time out of 10, most people would prefer someone who takes longer and they love it, than someone who gets the job done fast and the work is subpar.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Just being myself! I know I’m not for everyone, but I do my best to give each client my all! I love how I can show who I am and my personality in the salon and through social media to gain clients who want to come to me because they want ME. They saw something in me that they didn’t find somewhere else. And that means the world to me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: auloras_beauty_
- Facebook: AuLoras Beauty
Image Credits
All photos are taken by me AuLora