Today, we’d like to introduce you to Denise Torres.
Hi Denise, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Denise Torres is an entrepreneur and author known for pioneering work in the wig fashion industry and inspirational writing. She has been a significant presence in the industry since 2000 and continues to thrive with her business, Chic Wig Boutique, located in downtown West Palm Beach, Florida, and Levittown, New York.
Denise Torres began her entrepreneurial journey in 2000 when she founded Chic Wig Boutique. With a passion for fashion and a commitment to helping others, she quickly established her boutique as a go-to destination for high-fashion quality wigs. Her business not only focuses on style but also on boosting the confidence of her customers, particularly those dealing with hair loss due to medical conditions.
Chic Wig Boutique offers a wide range of wigs, catering to various styles and preferences. Denise’s dedication to her customers extends beyond fashion; she provides free wigs to chemotherapy patients, demonstrating her commitment to supporting those in need.
In addition to her entrepreneurial success, Denise Torres is a self-published author. Her memoir, available on Barnes & Noble and Amazon, details her extraordinary life story. The book recounts her horrific experience of escaping a mental hospital where she was wrongfully held under false allegations. Despite these significant challenges, Denise persevered, turning her hardships into a source of strength and inspiration for others.
Denise divides her time between West Palm Beach, Florida, and Levittown, New York. She continues to inspire others through her writing and work in the wig fashion industry. Denise is celebrated for her business acumen, resilience, and dedication to helping others feel confident and beautiful. She doesn’t allow her circumstances to define her future.
Memoir: Eloped the Mental Hospital with the Whisper of God’s Voice (Available on Barnes & Noble and Amazon).
Denise Torres stands as a testament to the power of resilience and the impact one person can have on the lives of many. Her story is one of defying the odds and achieving success despite the challenges life throws her way.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Have you ever found yourself staring at an obstacle in your life and thinking, “Here we go again?” If life were a theme park, mine would definitely be Six Flags at the insane rollercoaster ride where you slowly go up with anticipation. At the top with an unbelievable view, and then with a quick drop, loop, and twist and turns, which has been a tool to build my character, teach me valuable lessons, and, hopefully, inspire me that your challenges are opportunities for growth if you step out of your comfort zone.
Now, some people live in the past, reminiscing about the “good old days.” Others are so busy planning for the future that they forget to live in the present. And then, there are those like me who have learned to stop worrying about tomorrow because, let’s face it, today is challenging enough! I look at my past as a measurement of trials and triumphs that remind me that I’ve been through worse and come out the other side every time.
Take my divorce, for example. At that point, I was staring down a $200K debt and juggled maxed-out credit cards. I felt like I was auditioning for the role of a financial Houdini. But guess what? I found a way. Working as a licensed nail technician, earning $10 an hour while paying $500 an hour in legal fees while living with my parents once again, I kept my cosmetology license active from high school. I never anticipated I would use it 20 years later. If that doesn’t teach you the value of persistence, I don’t know what will.
Then came the real estate debacle. To avoid foreclosure, I renewed my real estate license and rented out my home. But the obstacles in New York were relentless. So, I packed my bags and moved to Florida. I stayed with my sister, saved every penny, and eventually put a deposit on a condo. I was putting only 5% down to find out after three months I needed 15% down or I would lose my deposit. I tapped into my Roth IRA and wiped out my savings account with no emergency fund. Why? Because if I’m going to lose my deposit, I’m going to fight trying to invest it. But those two pennies were proof that I could take risks and survive. They were a testament to my resilience and faith.
And then came the next chapter: my memoir. I had to relive my past of being transferred from a minor car accident to a mental hospital on a false allegation and pen some painful moments of my life with a sense of accomplishment. Now, I’m learning the power of my voice.
Recently, I relocated my wig store to West Palm Beach. I barely covered the first month’s rent, but this time, I have a small emergency fund to get by for a few months. This situation is propelling me to enhance my creative marketing strategies on Canva and YouTube, keeping my brain stimulated and embracing technology to propel my business further. The world is evolving, and so must we. Whatever the outcome, I can look back and say I gave it my all.
My life’s challenges have trained me to take tremendous leaps of faith, trust the process, and believe in myself. We all have a story worth telling. Safe is comfortable, familiar, and secure, but it also stagnates your growth. Growth comes from stepping out of that comfort zone, facing challenges head-on, and seeing each obstacle as an opportunity.
Remember, your challenges are an adventure of growth. Public speaking, finding your voice, and sharing it with the world can make a profound difference. Be encouraged to get on social media and broadcast your story. You never know who needs to hear it, who will find strength in your words, and who will be inspired to tackle their obstacles.
For those of you who love rollercoasters, enjoy the ride, and for those who don’t, enjoy life’s twists and turns because only then can you look back and see how far you have come.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
As a wig boutique owner, I’m set apart as a fashion expert who helps women build their confidence. When I add extra volume, it’s not just about the wig—it’s about embracing the transformation and not worrying about what others think. I understand the hesitation; I’ve been asked why I wear wigs, too. My response is simple: Why not?
For me, wigs are a time saver and a fashion statement. I can’t afford to go to the salon every four days for a blowout, especially when humidity makes my flat-ironed hair frizz. Wigs offer a perfect solution, allowing me to maintain a polished look effortlessly. I’m here to share that same convenience and style with you, helping you feel confident and fabulous daily.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from growing up.
One of my fondest childhood memories was from elementary school when I won an award for the best drawing. At the time, I didn’t see my talent for what it was. Drawing was just something I enjoyed doing.
As I moved on to middle school, my art teacher saw something special in my work. She told me that my talent could earn me a scholarship. Despite her encouragement, I still couldn’t see the talent she saw. I appreciated her words, but I couldn’t quite believe in myself. I could only hear the loud voice of my oldest sister, whom I looked up to say, “There’s no money in art.”
Self-doubt crept into my life like a snail, leaving trails of uncertainty. Now, we all have a crossroads. Two things can happen here. You can allow their negative words to define you as a prisoner of your true fate, or you can use them as fuel for empowerment. I used them as Kryptonite.
In my pursuit of approval, I divorced my artistic side. Watch out, Picasso, because Bill Gates is opening the fence. I ended up majoring in something as thrilling as business computer information systems. Why? To impress my sister, of course! I’ll show her. With her voice screaming loudly in my head, There’s no money in the art unless you’re dead. I mean, who needs the Fashion Institute of Technology when you can master the art of programming? The mediocre grades made me even more disappointed because technology was not my passion fruit. Winning an art award from kindergarten didn’t have much merit to me. Or the voice of my art teacher telling me I can acquire a scholarship. I ignored all the approving voices.
But I’m here to share that if people steer you in the wrong direction, you can still get on the pathway to your talented self-superhero strength as long as you learn to believe in your extraordinary uniqueness. Thanks to my sister’s financial foresight, I became a business creative technical wizard. Designing my Wig Boutique website artistically, and now I’m a digital content creator for social media marketing.
Fast forward to today, and I see how my creativity has woven into every aspect of my life. Whether I’m cooking up a new recipe, designing my website, or creating social media content, the art that once went unnoticed now thrives in everything I do.
Looking back, I realize that my art teacher’s belief in me planted a seed that has grown into a flourishing tree of creativity. I may not have seen it then, but today, I recognize and embrace the talent that has always been a part of me.
Today, I have a self-published memoir, “Eloped the Mental Hospital with The Whisper of God’s Voice,” available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. I never imagined I would be an author. As I reflect on my childhood, I have a librarian telling me I should write a book. I was so young, thinking, how on earth is that possible? I’m only five. Today, I heard her voice as I found my voice to tell my story as an author.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ChicWigBoutique.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/WigBoutiqueChic/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/WigBoutiqueChic/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/Denise-Torres-author
- Youtube: https://www.YouTube.com/@ChicWigBoutique-Fashion
- Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/chic-wig-boutique-west-palm-beach-2
- Other: www.YouTube.com/@DeniseTorres-author
