Today we’d like to introduce you to Marlena Orlowska.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I migrated from Poland in 2011 as a 24 year old young woman to try my strength in beauty industry. Since young age I was fascinated by unlimited possibilities that hair and makeup professionals can offer to make people look and feel amazing. I always felt that is my calling. Even though my parents were opposed to that and I had to get my master degree and fulfilled „ traditional „ level of education. I make them promise me that if I will get my master they will let me fallow my dreams and let me go to New York. And as soon as I finish my collage in March then- on April 1st 2011 I was sitting in the plane to USA. I had 1000$ in my pocket and 2 luggage. I started looking for beauty schools and I also knew that I had to attend the evening classes as I had to work at the mornings to support myself. So I found a job in the local hair salon as a receptionist ( funny the fact of my minimal English) . Within a year and 2 months I got my cosmology license and found a job in the salon that became my second home! And since that time of 2012 until now I never worked in another place. That is Paul LaBrecque salon and spa! It was located at that on 65th street 3rd Ave now it’s on 5 E 57th street. That was the place when I grew as a hairstylist and makeup artist! Because Paul LaBrecque himself never made a „ departments” in the salon – that’s means u don’t need to decide to be only a colorist or only a stylist. You can do both if that’s what your talent and knowledge allows you. So that’s how Paul trained me- without any limitations, without blocking abilities! But- with a very hard and intense work! There was no shortcuts. Within a year a became a junior stylist. After 12 years in NY I was offered a position in Palm Beach location and made that decision with my husband to make there. I was happy to offer different and maybe more steady lifestyle for our 3 year old daughter at that time. So far it’s 3 amazing years since we moved to Florida and we are very grateful.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the hardest decisions that I had to made was to leave all my family and friends that I had back in Poland. Being 24 years old women in big city like NY all by herself was definitely challenging. I had to work on my English and only I know how many times I took a subway to the wrong direction! Going back to beauty school at that age made me the oldest there!!! All my classmates were like 19 years old! And there I am! I also have to say I was the first one to believe in myself. Then along the way my boss Paul who is more like family to me know and my husband who is also a hairstylist himself were extremely supportive of my dream.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Telling that I am a workaholic could be understatement. I love my job so much that 6 days a week seems very ok for me. I do enjoy salon environment and working alongside with my coworkers who are just amazing at their work! I am a master colorist and also I do hair Exstensions and makeup. I trained also spray tans that I believe is the only healthy answer for beautiful tan looking skin without dark spots and damage that comes from sun. What I do believe sets me apart from other – I do treat every single client of mine with kindness, respect and if they will trust me with their hair – I will deliver the best custom made color and haircut that will suit them and make them feel one in the kind. Also being able to offer hair extensions I can bring the best look without damaging and waiting long time for a new hair to grew. And because I did not narrow down services I can take care of many aspects for one client.
What’s next?
I do hope for the future to grew and spread the knowledge about out possibilities at Paul LaBrecque salon. There is still so much work to do to pass the knowledge of good hairdressing to another generation that I am also looking forward to. Definitely never stopping on delivering a great experience for anyone who will step a foot in our salon.
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