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

Alright, Catherine thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

I’m Catherine Madrazo, a 35-year-old hairstylist and aspiring entrepreneur of Dominican descent, born in Miami. Over the past two years, I’ve made significant strides in my personal and professional life, but it wasn’t always this way. In July 2022, I was facing uncertainty, living with my mother and trying to find my way. A visit to my then-boyfriend in West Palm Beach led to a suggestion that I relocate, which ultimately became a turning point in my life. With my cosmetology license in hand, I took a chance and started working at a local salon, determined to build a new client base. I invested time in honing my skills, studying hairstyles, and networking, which helped me establish a reputation in the community. This experience taught me the importance of resilience and hard work. Today, I’m proud to be the co-owner of Maca Hair Studio in downtown West Palm Beach, a thriving business that’s a testament to my determination and perseverance.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Prior to pursuing a career in cosmetology, I gained experience as a hairstylist while studying nursing. However, when I realized that nursing may not be my true passion, I decided to focus on hairstyling. I enrolled in cosmetology school, graduated within a year, and then faced a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Once the pandemic subsided, I encountered challenges finding employment due to my limited experience. To overcome this, I engaged in ongoing education and training to develop my portfolio and credibility. I developed a specialization in addressing hair loss, providing hair extensions, replacement systems, and male wigs. Having personally experienced Alopecia, I possess a unique understanding of hair extension installation and maintenance. In addition to that we started offer barbering & braiding services for the entire family, accommodating diverse hair textures. We also provide comprehensive loc services, including retwists, styles, detox, reattachments, extensions, and more. Our studio prioritizes creating a comfortable and safe environment, welcoming everyone to come as they are. We strive to meet your hair needs while maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective approach to growing my client base has been, surprisingly, handing out business cards. Although social media platforms dominate the landscape, distributing business cards has generated the best results for me. I meet potential clients daily at various locations such as supermarkets, gas stations, local stores, and networking events. Beyond giving out business cards, I take a moment to introduce myself, outline my services, and briefly discuss how I can address their hair care concerns. Notably, this strategy has been responsible for acquiring 80% of my clientele.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

During my initial years as a hairstylist, I relocated to various salons, aspiring to find an environment that would suit me. Through trial and error, I understood that each salon boasts its own set of benefits and drawbacks, which do not inherently validate my talent for hairstyling. I was required to reassess my outlook. In hindsight, I wish I had dedicated more effort to mastering my skills within a specialized domain rather than striving to integrate into a specific salon.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/macahairstudio?igsh=MW1hY3pnZG4yc2pkZw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: Catalestylist
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@Catalestylist
• Other: TikTok @Catalestylist

Image Credits

Daniel Madrazo