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

Mariah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

A life changing risk was changing my actions. In my life I’ve taken many risks to be where I am today.
Growing up without a real solid base was extremely risky. I could have stayed in my comfortable (Foster) home and continued to be in there,(adult foster care) but I chose to go the direct “normal” route. I wanted any resemblance of a normal life, so I chose the more uncomfortable option; Going to college, living in a dorm, completely independent. It didn’t work out but I took the risk of doing it all on my own. I didn’t want to say I never tried. I didn’t want to live with that what if., It wasn’t exactly what I’d thought it’d be so I decided to leave.
Leaving school was a risk, I didn’t know what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I worked tirelessly at any job I could find until I decided I finally would return to school for something I actually enjoyed doing and was passionate about. I didn’t have a job and could barely make it to the classes. I figured it out and made it happen one way of another. When I graduated I decided to take another risk and start my own business doing what I love to do. There are so many routes we can take In the beauty industry. Running my own chair, betting it all, building my own clientele. I had to take that final leap of faith.

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

For those who might be just reading my story, I want to illustrate where I’ve come from. I grew up all over Minnesota. I was in ten different foster homes from the age of 9years old- to 17. Out on my own. Trying to be a normal high school graduate. I went to college, left college, worked ton of jobs, finally went back to school and with a global pandemic finished school and started working! I started my own business and want to help anyone I can that might be a little push to follow their dreams. Growing up I would find so much peace and joy helping others. Making them over and creating looks with my talent alone. Always the girl doing everyone’s hair and makeup. I never really took it serious until my now mentor mentioned.. “why don’t you go to hair school?” I asked myself a hundred times before setting up a tour of the school. As soon as I walked in smelling all the products and blow dryers working, it just felt right! I signed up that day and started a week later.
While in school I learned that we all just want feel good! Look good, and do good to others! I faced many challenges working with other students and instructors. Of course you will find your favorites naturally, but its balancing all of the other personalities and energies! Some people are easy breezy but others can be a bit stormy. It’s learning to manage that! It’s just like everyday, we encounter so many different energies and characters.
In this career I’ve chosen, I have learned to master my consultation and take many notes on everything we do. I enjoy long services such as lightening aka highlights. I enjoy helping others on their wedding day or special events. Being a small part of a big memory and helping those feel amazing. Sometimes, it’s hard to know what to do with your hair, so I often make custom color or take the inspiration and tweak it to fit that persons personal style and lifestyle. Spending more time than just an hour allows me to really get to know my clients and have meaningful connections with them.
I am the most proud of my returning clientele and the relationships I have obtained working closely with them the last few years. The trust I have gained is priceless.

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

A great lesson I had to unlearn was “speed equals results” I worked so man job where speed what the biggest factor in productivity. This simply is not true. We do not get better if we do it quickly. It takes the creativity out of it. When you take your time your work will reflect with quality and ability. The ability to get perfect your craft and sharpen your skills doing that same task.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When I first started my business full time, there was a salon fire. All work had come to a stop. No work. No money, just promises to get the salon back up and running soon-ish. I did not let the second week go that way so I had reached out to many salons nearby where I had been renting and finally found another salon that could hold not only myself but the entire team at the salon. It was only a mile from the previous salon. I continued business and contacted clients directly to come to the temporary location. During my stay at this temporary salon I decided to commit to staying after four months of waiting for the old salon to be finished. I took a risk parting ways and continue to build my books from this new salon, Things are not easy building my own clientele at a new salon but I am in it for the long haul, slow or busy I will continue to take care of my clients who follow me wherever I decide to go.

Contact Info:

• Website: Mariahdiaz1.GlossGenius.com
• Instagram: @loca.luxbeauty
• Facebook: Loca.luxbeauty