We recently connected with Vanessa Ocando and have shared our conversation below.

Vanessa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

Believing in myself! I manifested what I wanted daily, and I always spoke positively about my career. Whenever I doubted myself, I would never or have never said, ‘I could never do that.’ I have always said, ‘I can’t wait till I do that, or I can’t wait to learn it.’ I never allowed myself to use limiting belief words when it came to my career. Continuing education is also very important to me. I take at least two courses(hair cutting/styling) a year, and I always come out feeling inspired and with new techniques. The moment you think you have learned everything is when you stop growing.

I work with a clientele who inspires me: women who have succeeded in their fields beyond many people’s imaginations. They make me feel that if they can do it, I can, too.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I live in New York City and have been a freelance hairstylist for 6 years, but I have been in the hair industry for 19 years. I went to beauty school after high school and then attended university. I graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with my B.S. in Hospitality Management with a minor in Spa Management; while attending school, I worked for spas in higher-end resorts. Once I graduated, I worked for several luxury hotels and spas in Naples and New York City. In 2014, while living in Florida, I decide to leave the spa life and do my hair full-time in NYC. I started my hair career in NYC’s top hair salon, Serge Normant at John Frieda; I was sweeping hair and shampooing heads for 3.5 years before being promoted. That time was everything; it helped me develop a strong foundation for beautiful blowouts, haircuts, color, and styling. I was surrounded by the best of the best hairstylists in my industry. In 2018, a medical problem came up that required 6-7 months of recovery. It put my career and promotion on hold, which was devastating, but there was nothing I could do but focus on my recovery. Seven months later, I felt ready to return to the salon, but my body could not take the long-standing days and fast-paced environment. That’s how my freelancing hairstyling career started, and it was the best thing that could have happened to me! I became my boss, running my own business and having a reputable name. I have been booked to do hair for once-in-a-lifetime photoshoots, fashion shows and events. I love doing photoshoots because of the creativity, but my favorite part is seeing it in ads, magazines or commercials. This year has been my best year yet, I shot two celebrity magazine covers with two celebrities. I am surrounded by people who inspire me and who make me strive for bigger dreams.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a hairstylist is making someone feel good about themselves! That’s it. I love bringing someone’s confidence out in a blowout.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I was 30 and working in hotels, and I had to ask myself, “Is this what I want to do for the rest of my life?” It wasn’t; it was hair. So I packed my bags and moved to NYC. 10 years later, I am thriving in my industry, just like I had manifested all that time ago. And I can’t wait to see what the future holds because I can only keep going up from here. This has been the best decision of my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.vanessaocando.com
• Instagram: vanessa.ocando

Image Credits
BTS for Haper’s Bazaar Arabia Bridal photographer Lalo Torres