Meet Trailblazer Leilani Del Valle

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leilani Del Valle.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have always had a passion for doing hair but never thought of it as a career path. I have been dyeing and cutting my friend’s hair and my own since elementary school. After high school, my plan was to study fashion. But due to the high cost of fashion school, I considered doing hair as a stepping stone into entering the world of fashion.

I went to hair school, simultaneously working a bartending job, to save money. Then, one fateful situation bartending led me to shift career goals and I started a new job at the front desk of a salon.

From there, I quickly worked up to Assistant, while juggling many hats at the salon. And was able to learn a lot from managing these roles. Unfortunately, a conflict within the salon caused me to shift my mindset from working in a salon to opening my own studio. My business and mentor, Natalia Earle, was instrumental in motivating me to open my own studio. Suddenly, this entrepreneurial opportunity fell into my lap and I decided to run with it.

I had seen other stylists such as Johny Ramirez, Romeo Felipe, and Guy Tang, able to travel the world while doing what they love. I realized that I wanted to emulate that, and soon, I was able to find Carson and Co. salon in Denver that would let me realize this goal.

Has it been a smooth road?
The road most definitely has not been smooth, mainly due to the fact that being an entrepreneur, I have had to learn business skills without the help of schooling or mentoring. I have had to also perfect time management and discipline skills, that was not innate to me. I have also had to take major accountability for all aspects of my business, even when that meant sleeping on the floor of an airport. My advice for other women would be to find balance in their career and personal life. It will most definitely be hard, but the outcome is so worth it because, in this business, you reap what you sow.

We’d love to hear more about Lei D Looks.
My specialty is color and color corrections. I am best known for balayage, a technique that creates a blended look by hand painting highlights onto the customer’s hair. I am most proud of the relationships I am able to build with my clients, I truly consider my client’s friends. I try to go above and beyond to make sure they are always satisfied. What sets me apart is that I have a passion for perfecting my craft and caring for client’s hair, and it’s longevity; I’m not just in this business for the money.

So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
I think women are truly having a renaissance in today’s day and age. Along with holding men accountable for their actions, more women are being allowed entrance into the negotiation table, as the head of businesses and organizations. I truly believe that women excel in leadership roles, and I’m very excited that more opportunities are being opened up to women.

Pricing:

• Balayage/Foliage $300+: Service includes toner/glaze, Blow-dry, and style
• Haircut $60: Includes blow-dry and beach waves

Contact Info:

• Address: Lei D Looks at Salon Suites
  2263 SW 37 Ave
  Miami, FL 33145
• Email: Lei.Dlooks@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lei_d_looks

Image Credit:
Loreta Silverio

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