We were lucky to catch up with Sammy Lopez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sammy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?

I would change EVERYTHING! Our schools are pretty much there because we need them to advance to the next level, which is applying for the State board Licensing, however they are not preparing the students for the work force, to actually be able to grow and create a business in the beauty industry. They do not set you up for success. They have instructors in Ventura County schools, who instead of leading the students to success, are being fired in the middle of classes. We have to hold these schools to high standards, if we want our industry to be held to higher standards. We need better quality Instructors, better and more organized programs that are truly meant to set up up our future Barbers, Hairstylists, Cosmos, estheticians, and Nail Artists to succeed, instead of setting them up to just pass their state board tests. It starts with the schools.

Sammy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

When I applied for cosmetology school, I was a very broke 17 year old, who grew up knowing that how I was raised, was not how I wanted my future life to continue to look like. I wanted more… I craved more. I had the people who were supposed to believe in me the hardest, doubting me, and that fed my ambition even harder. I went to school, did my work, and asked for extra help from my instructors because I knew that failure was not an option for me. Because of how the beauty school systems are set up, they unfortunately don’t set you up for success. Especially in 2010, when I was attending. Cosmetology school, was like attending an expensive adult filled high school. The instructors being no better than the students. There was one instructor that made the difference in my time there, though, Michelle, was always giving me help, and extra pointers on how to be better and how to succeed outside of school. She definitely helped to push and motivate me, even in times I was ready to quit. I really put everything into graduating and making sure to pass my state board test. There was no failure option for me, no backup plan, no Mommy and Daddy to fall back on. I did it, I graduated and passed my state test on my first try. The happiness I felt to accomplish something, that I was so heavily doubted on! But then what was next? Where did I go from there? I was 8 months pregnant with my first daughter when I got my license and no salon would hire me because I was a liability, so I started working from my house. I advertised on Craigslist, Facebook, and Instagram. I offered hair services, and hair extensions. I worked doing weddings, and there was LOTS of travel work! In 2015 I found and fell in love with Lash Extensions, and was one of the first Mega Volume artists in my county. I got contracted in Malibu in rehab and sober living homes, and would be there 2-3 times a week from 3pm to past midnight some times, just working. I took clients on after they left these sober living homes, and would travel to them to continue to provide services. Then Covid hit, and that took a huge hit on my business. I got a job at Starbucks and worked there for the first 9 months of the shut down, while still providing services out of my home to a limited few, until enough was enough! When they lifted the shut down for beauty services, I went and opened up my own studio suite. Even though it was scary, it was the best decision I have ever made for my business, because that was when my business really began to build and become what it is now. Today, 14 years later, I have a full Studio in Oxnard, with a full team of extremely talented women, who are just as motivated and willing to grow with me, as I am with them, We all have families, and to be able to be hustling women, raising our families and changing our futures for ourselves and them, is the definition of living the dream and changing circumstances. Never in my wildest dreams as a child, did I picture this is what my future would have looked like. This is just the beginning.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I personally believe that my reputation has been built on simply being genuine and real. I absolutely love what I do! It is my passion. Anyone who knows me has heard me say a million times that if I could afford to offer my services for free, I would. I have given away services, I often hold monthly specials, and do everything that I can to be as budget friendly as possible. This business might have been built on a broke 17 year olds dream to become a successful business owner, and make something of herself, but this business has never been built solely based off of money. I don’t ever look at my clients or my students as a dollar sign. I want my clients to feel comfortable and happy, and relaxed when coming to see me. I want this time for them to feel like an escape from their reality of whatever chaos they have going on in their lives. The beauty industry is for everyone, and every budget. I work hard to make sure that the clients I see once a year when they get there taxes and come treat themselves to a lash set or a new hair color, feel as special and welcome as those I see every couple weeks for fills and touch ups. I make sure to teach my students to hold themselves to that same standard. When you make your career based on just money alone, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for me, is my loyal clients. Instagram is great, social media is a great and free source for advertising, however the best source of gaining and building clients has been recommendations from someone who has sat in my chair and received services from me. To me there is no better compliment than a recommendation from someone who you have made feel so good, or gave your full effort to in their service that they ran to their social group or family group and sent someone to come see me! There is not greater feeling than that. That is the best compliment anyone in this industry can receive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bellareynabeauty.glossgenius.com
• Instagram: @Bella_reyna_beauty