We recently connected with Cristina Calero and have shared our conversation below.

Cristina , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Some of the most interesting parts of our journey emerge from areas where we believe something that most people in our industry do not – do you have something like that?

I’ve noticed a distinct divide in our industry when it comes to connecting with clients on a personal level. Some professionals prefer to keep things strictly business, while I believe in building real, human connections with my clients. For me, it’s a reciprocal relationship—when they open up, I do too. This approach has been key to building my dream clientele.

There’s a misconception that by sharing parts of ourselves, we risk crossing boundaries or losing respect. But in my experience, it’s quite the opposite. Being open and communicative with my clients has actually made it easier to set clear boundaries and maintain mutual respect. They know me, understand my lifestyle, and recognize that I prioritize both my work and my well-being.

For instance, if I need to reschedule an appointment because I’m taking a vacation or something unexpected comes up, I rarely face any pushback. My clients are happy for me, seeing that I’m taking time for myself. I contrast this with stories from other stylists who prefer to keep things strictly professional and often find themselves dealing with less understanding clients. When clients only see us as a service provider, they’re less likely to have that same empathy or connection.

At the end of the day, I believe that creating a genuine connection elevates the experience—turning it from a simple transaction into a meaningful relationship.”

This version presents a strong, professional, and engaging perspective while highlighting your unique approach to client relationships.

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

I’m Crissy, 30 years old, and I’ve been in the beauty industry for eight years now. After high school, I went to college and spent three years trying to figure out what I really wanted to do. Even though I knew deep down that hair was my passion, I resisted pursuing it because of the stigma around it and doubts about the career path it could offer. I tried other things, but eventually, I found myself feeling increasingly unfulfilled and uninspired. As a creative, I needed an outlet to express myself, and college just wasn’t providing that.

My now-husband, who was my boyfriend at the time, helped me make the leap I was afraid to take. I dropped out of college, enrolled at Aveda Beauty Institute, and hit the ground running.

I spent my first year behind the chair at an Aveda salon on a 60/40 commission split—40% was my take-home, and the rest went to the salon. I didn’t mind at first; I knew I needed time to build my skills and reputation. I worked six days a week to stay available for clients and make a name for myself. By the end of that year, I had brought in $135,000 for the salon, becoming the first new stylist to reach six figures. However, when I realized I was only taking home $54,000 and there was no chance of negotiating a better split, I knew it was time to move on.

Then COVID hit. I took my time, waiting for salons to reopen, and once they did, I took the plunge and opened my own salon suite. It was the best decision I ever made for myself and my business. Running a suite definitely requires a strong grasp on managing finances, inventory, and organization—it’s easy for things to get overwhelming without the right structure.

After three years of growth in my suite, I decided to expand, opening a boutique salon in Boca Raton. Now, after a full year in this new space, I’m lucky to work with an incredible team of women. As cheesy as it might sound, this really is a dream come true

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I decided to leave my first salon, a friend and I both saw it as the perfect opportunity to take a leap, so we partnered up. Sharing the cost and risk made sense, and together, we built a beautiful business. It grew quickly, and soon our 200-square-foot space couldn’t keep up with the demand, which led us to expand and build out a full salon.

However, as time went on, our visions began to diverge, and my own goals started to feel unclear. I’m a firm believer in stepping back when things get rocky—whether it’s a friendship, partnership, or romantic relationship—before it turns unhealthy. Eventually, we decided it was best to part ways, which required a complete overhaul in how the business was run and a major shift in my mindset. It was a challenging period, but ultimately, it was exactly what we both needed to move forward with more balance and clarity.

Today, my salon’s culture truly reflects the vision I always had. My team and clients all love the space we’ve created, and that sense of fulfillment—seeing everyone enjoying the environment—is really all I could ask for

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

When I left my first salon, I made the decision not to take any client contacts with me. It felt unethical, and I believe strongly in karma and the energy you put into the world. Taking clients that came to the salon before I arrived would have felt like a shortcut and given me a false sense of security.

Instead, I reached out to clients who had found me through Instagram, and while I went from being booked three weeks out at my previous salon to only four days out in my new suite, I knew I could build from there. Marketing became my top priority, though I didn’t have a clear strategy outside of Instagram.

I started what I call my ‘door-to-door salesman’ approach on social media. Back then, Instagram allowed 60 DMs a day, so I used every one of them. I followed local coffee shops, boutiques, and other nearby businesses, and then connected with women on their pages, offering my services and sometimes a discount to book with me. Out of the 60 messages, maybe three would reply each day, but eventually, I went from being a few days booked out to having a waitlist.

It was also the height of COVID, and with so many people eager to get into a salon, my approach really paid off. Social media is such a visual space, and using it to build my business helped me connect with clients and grow faster than I could have imagined.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ashandhoneybeautybar.com/
• Instagram: Crissystyles https://www.instagram.com/crissystyles/profilecard/?igsh=MW50d2x6ZHRrbzFhbA==

Image Credits

Photography
https://www.instagram.com/shotbyseaunna?igsh=bmg2aGtqZzQyZ2N6