We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Linda Reyes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Linda, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
As a woman and small business owner, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to navigate a world that often asks us to shrink ourselves. Whether it’s in business, beauty standards, or everyday life, we’re constantly balancing expectations, responsibilities, and dreams. It’s not easy—and that’s exactly why my mission is so personal to me.
Empowering women through my work isn’t just about great hair—it’s about creating a space where you feel seen, heard, and celebrated. It’s about reminding each other that we’re allowed to take up space, to shine, and to define beauty on our own terms.
Owning a small business as a woman has come with its own set of struggles—long hours, financial pressure, self-doubt—but it has also given me a deep appreciation for resilience, community, and the power of women supporting women. Every client I work with inspires me, and my hope is to reflect that strength right back to you.
With that in mind, my friend Velea and I started a nonprofit group called Jefas in Power because we saw a real need in our community—not just for resources, but for connection. There are so many amazing programs and opportunities out there, especially for women and small business owners, but a lot of us don’t even know they exist, or we don’t know how to access them. I want to change that.
Jefas in Power was born from that desire to share knowledge, uplift each other, and create a space where we’re not gatekeeping information. It’s also about encouragement. We all have ideas, and sometimes we just need a little push, or someone to say, ‘You can do this.’ It’s been beautiful to see women come together, support each other, and grow—not just in business, but in confidence, too.
Because when one of us rises, we all rise.
Linda, 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?
My journey in this industry started long before I picked up my first color brush. I came to the U.S. from El Salvador when I was 9 years old. Being a Spanish speaker in a new country, I faced the challenges of adapting to a culture, a language, and a system that didn’t always make space for people like me. I learned early on how to observe, how to listen deeply, and how to find ways to express myself without words. In many ways, those experiences shaped the heart of the work I do today.
I’m a hairstylist and color specialist based in Georgia, trained in Los Angeles and shaped by years of working with diverse clients and creatives. But more than the technical side, what I really offer is transformation—inside and out.
When someone sits in my chair, they’re not just getting a new look. They’re entering a space where they are valued, understood, and cared for. I’ve built my business around the idea that beauty isn’t about perfection—it’s about feeling powerful in your own skin. That’s especially important to me as a woman, an immigrant, and a small business owner who knows what it’s like to feel invisible or underestimated.
Over the years, I’ve taught at Toni & Guy in West Hollywood, worked in iconic salons in LA, and eventually opened my own studio—first in California, and now in Ashley Park, Newnan. I’m proud of what I’ve built, not just for myself, but for the community I serve. I’ve created a space where women—especially women of color and fellow entrepreneurs—can feel safe, celebrated, and supported.
What sets me apart? It’s the personal connection. I don’t just focus on trends or aesthetics—I focus on people. I listen to your story, your lifestyle, and your goals. Whether you’re making a bold change or just need something that works for your day-to-day, I’m here to guide you, educate you, and cheer you on.
I’m most proud of how far I’ve come—from a little girl who didn’t speak the language, to a business owner helping other women feel confident, radiant, and powerful. My work is more than just hair. It’s about healing, identity, and showing up fully as ourselves.
If there’s one thing I want people to know about me and my brand, it’s this: I’m here for the woman who’s ready to rise—and look damn good while doing it.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
Before I became a full-time hairstylist and educator, I worked at an elementary school. It was there that I truly learned the value of patience, how to break down complex ideas into simple, digestible steps, and how to adapt my teaching style to fit the needs of every individual. At the time, I didn’t realize how much those skills would carry over into the world of beauty—but now, I see it as the foundation of everything I do.
Hair started as a side hustle—something I loved doing on evenings and weekends. It was my creative outlet, my personal form of expression, and my way of connecting with people on a deeper level. But little by little, word of mouth started to spread. More clients started reaching out. My books filled up. And I started to feel that spark—that this could be more than just a side gig.
Every step along the way—from the classroom to the salon chair—has shaped how I connect with clients and students. My background in education allows me to explain techniques in ways that truly click, whether I’m teaching a fellow stylist or guiding a client through their hair journey.
Turning my side hustle into a full-time business wasn’t easy, but it was worth every risk. I followed my passion, honored my roots, and built something that feels deeply aligned with who I am. And today, I get to wake up every morning and do what I love—not just behind the chair, but in building community, empowering women, and teaching the next generation of stylists.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A Lesson I Had to Unlearn: “Fake it till you make it.”
For a long time, I thought I had to have it all figured out—to always appear confident, polished, and like I was ten steps ahead. That whole “fake it till you make it” mentality was something I thought I had to embody to be taken seriously, especially as a woman, an immigrant, and a small business owner in an industry where appearance is everything.
But the truth? That mindset started to feel heavy. I realized I was putting on a version of myself that didn’t leave room for the learning, the mistakes, the real journey. And I wasn’t connecting in the way I truly wanted to—because I wasn’t being fully honest.
What I had to unlearn is the idea that everyone’s path looks the same, or that success has a single formula. I had to stop comparing my behind-the-scenes to someone else’s highlight reel. My growth didn’t come from pretending—I grew the most when I owned my story. When I accepted and admitted to myself, “Hey, I don’t have all the answers, but I’m here, I’m learning, and I’m doing the work.”
Now, I show up as I am. I lead with transparency, whether I’m working with clients or teaching fellow stylists. I share the wins, the struggles, the learning curves—because I’ve found that real resonates more than perfection ever could.
Owning your truth isn’t just empowering—it’s magnetic. And it’s one of the core values I carry into everything I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lindareyessalon.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: Lindareyesxhair
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Boy3axC1Y/?mibextid=wwXIfr
