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

Paola , appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

One of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken was leaving my old job to start my own business. I was only 23 at the time, still trying to figure out who I was, navigating personal challenges, and stepping into a season of self-discovery. What made it even scarier was that the salon I left wasn’t just a job, it was where I had planted my roots.

It was the first salon I worked at, and it gave me incredible opportunities. I started as an apprentice and quickly moved up, taking on roles like receptionist, content creator, scheduler, customer service, and even handling packaging and shipping. I got to travel with the brand, which was a once in a lifetime experience. But being the youngest on the team came with its own set of challenges. I constantly had to prove myself and work twice as hard, but every bit of that journey built me into the strong, driven woman I am today.

In the world of hairstyling, everyone starts from the bottom. You begin as an assistant, and it can take years to build a loyal clientele and truly find your footing. So when I made the decision to leave, I knew I was essentially starting from scratch. I didn’t know where it would lead, and to be honest, I didn’t tell anyone it was just me and my partner , and we just went for it. It felt like a gamble. But we took the chance, poured everything we had, our time, energy, and money, into this dream.

leaning fully into faith and putting it all in God’s hands. The moment we did, things began falling into place. Opening the business took less than a month, and looking back now, I know that was all Him. Two years later, I can confidently say that risk was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The business is thriving, and I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

Paola , 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?

I’m 26 years old, born and raised in Puerto Rico, and moved to the United States when I was about six. Growing up, I always thought I was going to be a professional dancer. That was my dream for as long as I could remember, so looking back now, it’s surreal to see where life has taken me. I never imagined I’d end up in the beauty industry. I originally enrolled in cosmetology school in 2018 with the intention of focusing on makeup but along the way, I unexpectedly fell in love with hair. That passion led me to a salon in 2020, and from there, everything changed. What started as a pivot became my purpose, and I haven’t looked back since. Today, I’m proud to be the co-owner of Curl Haven, a salon created to be a safe, welcoming space where women with textured hair can feel seen, celebrated, and confident.

At Curl Haven, we specialize in curly hair but welcome all textures. Our mission is to uplift and highlight the beauty of curls because for too long, they’ve been overlooked or misunderstood. We want every client who walks through our doors to feel at home and leave feeling empowered.

With a humble start in the hair industry in 2020, I’ve steadily and passionately worked my way up fueled by continuous learning, a love for the craft, and a deep commitment to my clients. From assisting in a salon to eventually co-owning my own, my journey has been anything but ordinary. Each step has been shaped by the incredible people I’ve had the honor of working with, as well as the unique travel opportunities that have expanded both my perspective and skills.

Over the years, I’ve collaborated with multiple esteemed brands, allowing me to sharpen my expertise across all curl types. This has given me the tools to not only provide high-quality, personalized services but also educate clients on how to love and care for their natural texture.

At Curl Haven, we offer a variety of services tailored to meet the unique needs of our diverse clientele but our signature service is the Curl Haven Experience. This isn’t just a haircut; it’s a fully customized curly cut designed specifically for each individual. What makes it so special is that no two cuts are ever the same. We take the time to truly listen to our clients , their lifestyle, hair goals, and the relationship they have with their curls and then work with what the hair naturally wants to do. Because every curl pattern, texture, and person is different, we believe every cut should be too. The Curl Haven Experience is all about honoring that individuality while creating shape, movement, and confidence.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

Interestingly enough, my business partner today was actually the salon manager at the first salon I ever worked at. She was the one who took a chance on me and hired me as an assistant when I was just starting out. Over time, she became so much more than a boss—she became a friend, a mentor, and someone I deeply admired.

The first time I told her I was thinking about leaving, she encouraged me to wait—and I’m so glad I did. That extra time allowed me to grow, gain more experience, and continue learning. But when the moment came around again and I knew in my heart it was time to go, I told her once more. This time, she didn’t stop me. Instead, she reached out to me one Friday night and told me she had a dream that we were working side-by-side.

Without hesitation, I said, “Let’s do it.”
And the rest is history.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Social media has always come naturally to me. From the very beginning of my career, I understood how powerful it could be. As soon as I knew I wanted to pursue hair professionally and started working at the salon, I created a dedicated page and gave it my all. I was consistent, intentional, and passionate about showing my work and that effort has truly paid off. Today, I can confidently say that about 90% of my clientele comes directly from social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and even Google.

Beyond building a client base, social media has opened doors to amazing brand collaborations, allowing me to not only showcase the work we do but also represent products I truly believe in. I’ve always loved being creative, and content creation is one of my favorite aspects of running a business.

But what I love most about social media is that it’s more than just the services we provide, it’s about who you are and how you make others feel. I always try to let my personality shine through so people can connect with us on a deeper level. Behind every curl transformation and every post is a real person with passion, purpose, and heart and I want that to come through in everything I share.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://curlhavensalon.square.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_curlhaven_?igsh=MXA1OHdyZGw4azBldg==

Image Credits

N/a