We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Veronica Centeno-Cruz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

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

For the past year I have been working on a sensory friendly program for those in the community that may be sensory or spectrum sensitive. As a stylist who worked with kiddos for 4 years, I noticed a gap in the salon environment. Not only for kiddos but also adults. Sounds, smells, and sensation really aren’t considered when welcoming a guest into the salon space. I even found myself developing sensitivities to sound and smell as a stylist. During the pandemic I began studying behavioral therapy, and recognized that we all have sensory sensitivity experiences in a society that is quite overstimulating. Thats when sensory friendly services came to mind. Prompting my mobile business to grow substantially. Impacting communities that are in dire need of a sensory aware space. As a business owner ive learned that profit is important, but that your impact is meaningful. Ive made it a mission to give meaning to what I do. How impactful will this be for my community and future communities. What mark will I leave for others to follow. I will never forget what an instructor once said to me prepping for cosmetology graduation. “Veronica, you’re skilled! Once you get in the industry don’t get stuck and find meaning in what you do.” Ronnievcuts has partnered with centers like Bluestone Children’s Center offering sensory friendly services. Currently in the works of partnering with other centers throughout south east MI. My goal is to impact communities and inspire other stylist to find meaning in what they do and who they do it for!

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

I became a mobile hair stylist about 3 1/2 years ago, during the pandemic. Previous to the mobile experience, I was a 19-year-old college student working at a well-known kids’ hair salon called “Zoey & Joey.” It was such a fun job; I’ve always been really good with kiddos. It almost felt as if I was playing hair salon with kids for a living. Who wouldn’t have fun doing that!? At that time, I was working towards a major in Occupational Therapy & minor in Behavioral Therapy. Although people would mention seeing me owning a salon one day, those weren’t my intentions at the time. I didn’t think that such a fun career would get me where I wanted in life. Throughout my time at Zoey & Joey, I developed relationships with clients and their kids that were memorable and impactful to their growth and my own as a stylist. I was exposed to a community that needed patience, comfort, and awareness when it came to sensory, spectrum, and kids in a salon setting. I’m sure many can relate that it’s hard to find a salon environment that provides that balance. Naturally, I have been able to provide that balance. From baby’s first haircuts to first-grade haircuts. From home haircuts due to (sensory) to their first professional haircut. Then, covid hit, and it all disappeared. After 4 years of building and growing through fun and hard salon experience, I wasn’t sure what to do. My career plan was shifted, I continued to study and picked up a part-time job at a barbershop. I felt disconnected as if I still was able to do what I love and cut hair, but it wasn’t quite the same anymore. Then one spring morning, I received a Facebook message from a previous Zoey & Joey client. Asking if we could possibly set up a home hair appointment outside, masked and safe. Of course, I agreed; I had nothing to lose. Then one client turned into 10, 20, even 50, and now almost 300. I was shocked, excited, and scared at the time. I never planned on having my own business! I was scared to fail. Covid shifted that! I doubted this shift for a couple months. I kept my part-time job, finished my degree, and became a Behavioral Therapist part-time while doing mobile haircuts here and there. I was scared to make a jump and focus on starting my business. It was during a burnout episode in result of working three part-time jobs that I decided to fully committee. I began researching the steps to starting a small business. I applied for an LLC, built a social media platform, networked with other small business owners, and built a newsletter/booking system. I’m well known for quality cuts, short and long, natural styles, and following growth patterns like cowlicks and curls. I am most proud of the positive impact I leave on my clients/community as a stylist and business. I have a variety of clients who are homebound due to disability or are overstimulated by the salon environment. Salons can be overwhelming with sounds, smells, and lighting. I provide an experience that not only caters to the comfort of clients but also their needs. Having the ability to be my authentic self with all of my clients is not only fulfilling for my clients but also myself, which sets me apart from others.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

The behind the scenes of owning a business does not come with a handbook. My first tax year as a business owner was a perfect illustration of resilience throughout my journey. With how little resources there are out there I can see why businesses fail, or never start up. My first tax year I was very unorganized and unprepared. I walked into a local H&R block and walked out with a 5,000 receipt and tears in my eyes. I felt defeated, and as if my hard work didn’t matter anymore. Looking back I am able to now recognize how much i’ve grown to believe in what i’m capable of doing with my business. A moment where I could have given up I decided to use as motivation instead. I spent hours researching small business tax information. I invested in a safe place to keep my files and documents organized. As well as locating a small business tax professional that fit my needs. I used that moment of defeat to improvise and grow as a business owner. Despite the feeling of defeat and failure finding the good within anything and everything provides a growth opportunity.

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

Social Media can be quite a learning curve for promoting a small business. Personally social media was one of my struggles at first. I didn’t understand things like “target audience” or “social media presence”. My advice for those building their social media presence would be to just do it!! Open a free account on all social platforms. Begin showcasing who and what your brand is to the world. Share your platforms with friends, and post as much as you can in regards to your mission and passion. Platforms like instagram and tiktok haven’t received much engagement for my business; but facebook and emails have more than 80% engagement. You wont know who or how to reach your target audience until you get yourself out there. Ive even created questioners on what my audience would like to see more of. Trial and error will be the best way to find your so called “niche”. I remind myself everyday, you don’t have to post every piece of content you create/capture. Consistency is important. Have fun with it and everything will fall into place!     

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bookwithronnie.as.me/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ronnievcutz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ronnievcutz
• Yelp: https://www.google.com/search?q=Ronnie+V+Mobile+Hair+Experience&oq=Ronnie+V+Mobile+Hair+Experience&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i60j69i61l2.808j0j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8