Conversations with the Inspiring Perla Soto

Today we’d like to introduce you to Perla Soto.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I remember being maybe seven to eight years old and always having an obsession with trying to cut my hair and everyone else’s hair around me. My aunt used to yell at me for cutting her children’s hair, I would be mad too, I had no idea what I was doing. Growing up, I was always told that being a hairdresser or “doing hair” was never going to make me money or give me a good life. I believed it for a long time. It wasn’t until I graduated high school and enrolled in college that I realized I had no idea what I wanted to study. I dropped out before my classes even started and told my parents I wasn’t going down that road of debt for a career I wasn’t sure of. It wasn’t till five months after my high school graduation that I saw an ad for Empire Beauty School.

 I worked at a chain salon soon after graduating beauty school and I always hated it. As a creative person, I don’t like to be put in a box, it makes me want to rebel when someone thinks they can limit my creative freedom.

 Right now, I’m currently working at Yari Hair Studio in Wheat Ridge. I’ve been there for a little over two years and I have learned so much from the owner who I also consider my mentor. She’s taught me a lot of the techniques I currently know but she also pushes me to further my education any way I can and to do things that scare me.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No, it hasn’t. When I first started going to beauty school, I didn’t have a lot of support. I was always told that hair would never be a real career or that it would never “make me money”. But if it’s something that you want to wake up for everyday, it’s worth it. If you have passion for it, the money will find you.

 I also worked for a salon that never took my growth into consideration their main focus was getting my commission at the end of the week. Find a place that fits you and your personality. If you’re happy, your clients will be happy!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Perla Grant Beauty story. Tell us more about the business.
I like to think of myself as a hair artist!

 I am most known for my color corrections, my major blonde projects, and vivid (fantasy) hair!

 I do a lot of color corrections where most people come in wanting a certain end goal but have either started their process themselves or had someone else do it.

 I am most proud of my willingness to learn! If there’s something I don’t know how to do I will take the required classes to do it. I invest so much in my education and making my clients feel special and included.

 One thing that sets me apart is working with people who have super thick and super long hair. I get quite a bit of shocked clients when they find out that I’m willing to do their long, thick hair. It’s not an easy task!

Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
I actually found my mentor through my beauty school. She was already graduating by the time I was starting my program and I always kept up with her work just because she would always post all her pictures.

 Because of that, the minute she opened her salon, I was there. I was just willing to learn but I was a little intimidated to reach out and ask others. She never judged me when I didn’t know something and she always encouraged asking questions.

Going to classes and meeting other hairstylists has helped me network! Also teaming up and bartering with people that offer different services helps get my name around as well! Sometimes even using a Colorado hashtag on Instagram helps let other people know you are in the area. My best luck has always been word of mouth!

Contact Info:

• Address: Yari hair Studio
  7170 W. 44th Ave. Wheat Ridge CO 80033
• Phone: 7205711949
• Email: perla.grantbeauty@gmail.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/perlagrant
• Facebook: Facebook.com/perlagrantt

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