Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariel Lopez.
Ariel, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Havana, Cuba on November 30, 1974. Like all the young men in Cuba, when I was 19 years old, I was enlisted in military services and it was during that time that a friend of mine asked me if I knew how to cut hair. I had no idea how to even start but I said that I did. It was then that I used a pair of office scissors and did my first hair cut. Unbelievably, it turned out amazing so much so, that the rest of my army buddies wanted me to cut their hair instead of going to the army barbershop. A few weeks later, the sergeant asked me to cut his hair and he threatened me stating that if it came out horrible, he would suspend my pass to go home for that weekend, Of course, I was nervous and it was the worst haircut ever. Needless to say, my home pass was revoked and I was bound to the military camp. I learned that weekend that practice and perseverance was the key to success. It was then that I decided to strive to learn how to cut hair and become a barber. Once I had served my time in the military, I immediately began working at a barbershop.
My first official haircut working at a barbershop, I was so nervous that I forgot to put the gown on my client. He had hair everywhere. He was so understanding that he told me to finish the cut and not to worry about the gown. I thought for sure he would not return, but it turned out to be the total opposite. He returned faithfully and we became good friends up until the day I left Cuba. In those few years, I changed barbershops several times, learning as I went along. I became more proficient in my style and eventually, I graduated to women who became permanent clients as well. I continued my studies in cosmetology and obtained my license.
My future changed when I decided to leave Cuba in search of something better. I ended up in Barcelona and desperately looked for work in my profession. It was very difficult in the beginning because no one knew me. Thank God, a very good friend of mine that lived in Barcelona put me in contact with David Rodelas. He gave me the shot that I needed and at his side, I mastered many different techniques within the world in cosmetology including color, style, and many other processes involved in the realm of my profession. I attended many courses in Europe with some of the masters in the field. One of them was in Budapest. There, I learned and exchanged ideas and experimented with the European culture and vast diversity in the Cosmetology field. Upon my return to Barcelona, I taught David (a professional in the field) how to do his first Fade explaining how to complete a new style in men and to mark the hairline accordingly. Eventually, David gained trust in me and taught me the ins and outs of running his salon on a business level and I became his right-hand man. We worked together for eight years and to this day, David has a total of 16 franchises in all of Spain. Before my next move, I presented a style that was entered into a contest in Spain named Figaro. My style won first place in Figaro and started the next chapter of my life. David and I are and remain very good friends.
In 2013, I migrated to this great country in search of the American dream. I started at zero and again thanks to my very dear friend in Barcelona, she contacted a salon here in Miami in order for me to work in my profession and start a new clientele. It was difficult in the beginning, like all new things and there were days where I didn’t make any money or meet new people, but that didn’t stop me. I knew that it was only a matter of time and perseverance before my dream would become a reality and I would own my own salon.
After two years, the opportunity arose to start my own business. It was the most challenging time of my entire career. I learned very harshly and quickly that creating an idea on paper from an empty space to making it a reality are two completely different things. It was a long, hard road which due to my lack of knowledge, lead to other delays in the grand opening. Finally, in December of 2016, my patience and persistence paid off and Axtreme Hair Style was born. With just myself, my wife and my niece as employees, we worked endlessly so that the salon would succeed. I’ve been able to hire new stylists and train them using my skills and expertise and build a rapport that has helped me to continue to make the salon a success. I’ve also been able to use my knowledge and personal style to train in many cosmetology events in Florida including master classes in TGI, Salerm Miami, and EXPO beauty and fitness. I continue to learn new techniques and I’m not afraid of new challenges in the field because I believe it makes me better at what I do. Today, we are seven stylists of which four are family members and others have joined the Axtreme family. I’m very proud of all that we’ve accomplished in providing optimum service to our clients and in the interim, we’ve become a family working together in continuing to make Axtreme a success.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The paths that I have chosen have not been easy ones. Firstly, leaving Cuba and everyone that I knew including my family, my firstborn son, and my friends, Secondly, arriving in a country where I didn’t know anyone and finding work, and thirdly, after having been in Barcelona and having some sort of life, I decided to leave again and move to the United States where I had to start over. There was now bigger hurdles to surpass such as a language barrier and building a new clientele from scratch.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I specialize in all kinds of hair cuts/styles. I have a very creative spirit and my clients trust my judgment and let me run wild with my ideas. I truly believe it is a gift from God, I can look at a person either male or female and see a style. I’m also very honest and if I don’t believe it would suit the client I suggest something that will and do my very best to fulfill their idea with a “twist.”
Do you feel like there are certain traits that increase the likelihood of success?
I believe that the best skills I possess to go hand and hand, they are creativity and honesty. I love what I do so I strive to be the best.
Pricing:
- Men haircut, shampoo and style $25.00
- Women haircut, shampoo $25.00
- Women shampoo and blow dry $30.00
Contact Info:
- Address: Ariel Lopez
737 Southwest 109 Avenue, Suite 106
Miami, FL 33174 - Phone: 786-609-6198
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @axtremehairstyle
- Facebook: Axtreme hairstyle
- Twitter: Axtreme hairstyle
Image Credit:
Karim Mendiburu, Canal 51, Telemundo, Titulares y Mas, Jesús Miranda, Cantante Chyno, Claudia, Model, Yareli Silva, Stylist, Lily Pineda, Cosmetologist, Isami Pineda, Stylist, Anthony Calvo, Stylist, Maday Hernández, Cosmetologist, Patricia Gómez, Manicure Specialist, Beatrix Valdes, Actor, Fernando Giron, Telemundo 51, reporter
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
