Today we’d like to introduce you to Ricardo Santiago.
Hi Ricardo, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Well, I started barbering back when I was in high school and genuinely did it as a hobby and a nice way to make some extra money on the side. I ended getting pretty good at it and continued to do that throughout my time in college, after, and while serving in the Army. I never thought of it as a means of making a living, but something that was just fun and a great way to connect with people and have a good time. After my time in the Army came to an end my brother; also a barber convinced me to go to hair school with him to get our licenses. (Yes, I was working that whole time without a proper license, don’t judge me. Lol) We enrolled to a school close to where we lived which was Sarasota, FL and started shortly after. Once we were attending, I was persuaded by one of my teachers to try my hand at cosmetology as she thought I had a brighter future there. She helped me get my first salon position as an assistant where I worked and apprenticed for about a year before moving on to be able to service on my own clients within the salon as a licensed cosmetologist and barber. I worked there for about three years before moving here to Orlando in search of better opportunities and honestly, a younger client base. I worked in downtown Orlando for about two years continuing to develop my skillset and reputation. In that time, I was able to start educating for different hair care brands and work to become a platform artist educating at different events both locally and nationally.
I also met my wife Angela while working downtown and we met, were engaged, and married all within 11 months and that was ten years ago! In the years since we moved from downtown to Maitland and ultimately to Lake Nona where we decided to settle in and establish some roots. I worked in the area for about 3-4 years and with the help of my wife, was able to build up a great client base and community before eventually relocating to Dr. Phillips to open my own studio suite salon. I worked out there for approximately 4-5 years and about halfway through that time, my wife Angela was able to leave her Director’s position at her hotel and join me full time in the salon handling all of the administrative duties as well as all social media marketing which opened up all kinds of new opportunities. Last year we were fortunate enough to be able to relocate back to a studio suite here in Lake Nona, to the enjoyment of all my local clients, and have been here since! I’m also now a Global Education Expert for Joico which is a wonderful haircare/color line and my wife contributes with them as well doing contracted social media content. I guess you could say that within our industry and community, we have become known as a bit of a power couple!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
No way was it a smooth road! I feel like it wouldn’t be what it was if there weren’t those obstacles in the way to teach us what we know now and make us as successful as we are. I remember in the early going, I considered quitting hair all together and getting a “stable” job with benefits, but I hated the idea of feeling like there was always a stopping point. What I mean by that is that there is always a top position with a company and even if I work hard and reach that spot, then what? There’s nowhere else to go from that place. In the hair industry, we are limited only by our own desire and work, not by a position. I can earn as much as I want or as little as I want based on how hard I want to work. I’ve had challenges with salons, whether that be them closing because of poor management/ownership or genuinely just outgrowing a small salon but I was able to learn something valuable from each of those struggles. Those lessons help us know how WE want to run our business is one built on integrity and service. One where clients feel special from the second they are greeted to the second they are leaving and beyond!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve had the honor of working and teaching on many of the largest stages in the country as well as internationally! I’ve been published many times as well as had some magazine covers and worked high profile fashion shows from New York to Miami and Beverly Hills. My proudest moment though was while at a convention at the Dominican Republic myself and a small group went to a school in a struggling area and gave haircuts to hundreds of students. At the end of the day, the accolades and success are great, but nothing compares to the feeling of giving back.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love the LOVE of Orlando. We were able to see that in full display with what happened at Pulse. Our city is a city that ultimately is known as a city of love, joy and happiness! Think about the amount of people that come here every year to experience that between the theme parks and everything else the city has to offer!
I’m not sure if I would say least like, but something that has always saddened me is the homeless situation in Orlando. Having lived and worked downtown, I was able to see it a lot more than most have and I just wish there was a way to at least give everyone some of the comforts that we should all have with sleep and day to day needs.
Contact Info:
- Email: Stylistricardosantiago@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stylistricardosantiagho/?l=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StylistRicardoSantiago/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/stylist-ricardo-santiago-orlando
Image Credits
Angela Santiago- photographer Ricardo Santiago- Hair
