Today we’d like to introduce you to Lala Garcia.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My motivation are my kids. I had my oldest child at 16 years old. With no job and being a single parent staying in the projects, I fell victim to the streets. Picking up bad habits and going to jail for it. I didn’t want to be that type of person or be that example for my kid because it really wasn’t me. I moved from down south and started staying with my grandmother. STILL running around and partying with friends. My mom ended up getting her own place so I moved in with her. Some years later, my mom had a knee replacement surgery and caught an infection throughout her body and died within months. That was a BIG blow to myself and my daughter who was 6 or 7 at the time. My mom played a big part in our life. Her being gone meant I had to step up. I had real bills to pay and most importantly, I had to take care of my kid full time. I started doing hair as a hustle to make ends meet when my paycheck was short.
I always had a clock in and clock out job. I never took doing hair serious because I would always work to be able to provide. I’d always quit my job because I hated working for people. I got pregnant with my 2nd child 12 years later and decided after I had my baby, I needed a REAL game plan. I talked about my plans over with my child’s father just brainstorming. He really encouraged me to take doing hair serious… become my own boss. He paid for classes so I can learn different styles and techniques other than what I was doing before. After I had my daughter, I started working at a salon and never looked back.
Has it been a smooth road?
No, it has not! Being a teen mom wasn’t a plan for me. I wanted to be a veterinarian or a nurse. Having my kid made me grow up quick. Even though I had my mom and sisters who helped out 1000% it was still hard for me. Being young without a clue to what’s next, no life plans no nothing. Losing my mom, then my cousin who was like my little brother 6 months later to gun violence, then my dad passing away 3 years after my mom has been mentally and emotionally draining. But no journey worth embarking on is never easy. I decided to rename and rebrand my whole image and company. I did a lot of research and wasted a lot of money. Crying, can’t sleep because my plans wasn’t going the way I hoped for. Just praying and trying to get through it.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the TouchedByLala story. Tell us more about the business.
Ok! Well I’m a hairstylist by the name of touched_by_lala on IG. I specialize in sew-ins, lace wigs, frontals, and quick weaves, etc. I have my own hair company which is Shiynels Virgin Hair Collection LLC. Clients can visit the website www.shiynelscollection.com and purchase virgin hair bundles, full lace wigs, closures, frontals, mink lashes, bonnets, scarfs, etc. at an affordable price. Aside from that, I have my own hair salon in Miami as well. Not too bad from where I came from!
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
New trends are coming out every day. I strongly feel that if you want to keep elevating in this industry, you have to change with the time. Being creative and coming up with different styles and colors will keep me in the game. I plan on learning everything I can in the next years to come about the business. I don’t want to be in Miami forever doing hair. My dream is to move and do bigger and better things! One step at a time…
Contact Info:
- Address: 14440 Nw 7th ave Miami Gardens FL 33168
- Website: www.shiynelscollection.com
- Phone: 404-902-3888
- Email: lalag27@gmail.com
- Instagram: Touched_by_lala
- Facebook: Shiynels Virgin Hair Collection
Image Credit:
Larjstudios
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