We recently connected with Sarah Mendoza and have shared our conversation below.

Sarah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

In March of 2023 I was unexpectedly diagnosed with stage 2 thyroid cancer. This affected me, my wife & family really hard. I had to have surgery/treatment. During that time I picked up drawing and began selling shirts with my designs on them to help cover the medical costs. The most meaningful design was a shirt that says Check Your Neck to bring awareness to thyroid cancer. My community really gathered and helped me with this. I hope that each shirt that’s worn serves its purpose of providing reminders with the messages on the designs. I wish I had known to “check my neck”

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve always liked to do a little bit of everything. Especially in the artsy realm. I’ve been a photographer for about 12 years now & have always loved photography. Capturing candid moments, authenticity, beauty, happy moments etc – I just the idea that I get to capture memories that will last forever. In 2018 I decided to pursue being a hairstylist. This was around the time I was finding myself & changing my hair often with a drastic short cut from long hair & all the colors. I absolutely love the opportunity to help each person I see. Whether it’s a drastic change in cut or color, dealing with hair loss, the lgbtq+ community finding me as a safer space to embrace who they are through their hair…hair is really not just hair. It’s been beautiful and life changing to be in this profession. I chose to work at a very inclusive and education driven salon called Abstrakt Studio fresh out of cosmetology school. There I was a receptionist, assistant and then stylist and then about 3 years in I decided to take the leap and move into a private suite located inside Abstrakt and run my own business, Rose Studio. Since then my business has taught me so much and my relationships with my clients over the years have grown stronger. I wouldn’t be where I am without them. They’ve been there through all of my growth & life’s hardships & supported me all the way.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I post my life, my day to day, my behind the scenes, my wife, family, friends, my dogs, my work & art even if it’s not perfect or it’s a work in progress.

You can’t market to everyone. You will attract people similar yo what you post about. People want to know the human behind the business. Be authentic and stay true to you. Post what you want. The right people will come along & support you. .

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

Delivery & consistency. As well as staying up to date with the trends in all realms of my art. But also vulnerability, knowing when something wasn’t at the standard I strive to keep, I will correct it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rosestudioapparel.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmendoza_rosestudio?igsh=MWF3emVreTJmMmRvcQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
All photos are captured by me