Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Alicea Castano.
Hi Nicole, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have been a hairstylist since April of 2019. I would’ve never imagined myself to take this path in my career when my dream was to pursue music and attend school for music performance. When reality set in and I realized that wasn’t the path for me as I love it as a hobby , I was lost to what the next big thing would be as far as my career. I always remembered in high school doing all kinds of hairstyles for my peers for our choir performances at school, around the city and also providing homecoming and prom styling to peers. I loved the styling aspect of hair so I knew potentially if the music route wouldn’t work out, then I figured “why not try out hair school on a whim and see how it goes?”. You won’t know if you love something or are really good at a particular thing until you try it, right? Since attending Aveda Institute in Orlando, I immediately found a passion for hair . So I had gone a few years assisting in salons, working on booth tent and eventually ventured out to my own private suite a couple years ago ! Now, I became a certified scalp care and headspa specialist in December 2023 after officially announcing the start of my new brand and services of my Headspa in September of 2023. I never knew that it would take off last year like it did and all thanks to going viral on social media, TikTok of course! And since then, i have fell in love with the aspect of beauty and relaxation. I was one of the first in the Central Florida areas to be a full service hair salon and headspa offering services ranging from color, highlights , cuts, curly hair and scalp care services.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not! It has had its ups and downs of course. It was thankfully a smooth ride when transitioning into my own private suite but hit a bit of a roadblock when I wanted to expand my hair salon and Headspa to a newer and bigger location after becoming viral and super busy to continue doing it alone. I wanted to have employees, receptionist, the full experience but things came up that altered my path a bit. So I have continued to be an individual small business, doing it just myself. I always believe that everything happens for a reason but I will not stop me from expanding in the future! I truly couldn’t have been able to get through those roadblocks without my partner and family being there every step of the way. Better things are coming !
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am a full service Hair salon and Headspa in the Central Florida area. I offer services ranging from coloring, highlights, lived in balayage, curly color , curly haircuts, headspa services and Headspa certification course to licensed professionals. A few competitors in the Florida , just focus on the headspa aspect and don’t offer any hair services which throws me in a bit of an advantage as I have a background in hair and study the scalp to offer top notch hair and scalp care services and results. I am a Latina queer owned small business that prides itself in relaxation and comfortability. I want everyone who walks in to feel welcome and leave feeling beautiful and relaxed.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
As cliche as it sounds , EVERYTHING happens for a reason. I had to learn that to hard way but couldn’t have been more grateful for that lesson !
Pricing:
- Color $45+
- Highlights/Balayage $120+
- Headspa $65+
- Haircuts $50+
Contact Info:
- Website: www.haloheadspaandsalon.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haloheadspaandsalon/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@haloheadspaandsalon
