Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Valdez.
Hi Alicia, 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?
June 2017 was the moment my life was changed forever; I didn’t realize I was about to be introduced to my passion and purpose. I started braiding a friend’s hair and I honestly kept trying till I got it right. I remember spending hours trying and little by little I started falling in love with braiding. At the time I was finishing cosmetology school, which I did graduate and I am licensed. I remember wanting to be a master stylist for women. I started working at a haircutter and I remember my friend’s barber reached out to me asking me to come to join the barbershop he was working for I was definitely hesitant because I was a woman and going to be braiding in a field dominated at that time by men. I remember it was really heavy in my heart and one day I took the leap and joined the Barbershop. My life definitely took a turn, and my career took a turn I started seeing a different beauty in braids not just being able to do what I love, but the fact I got to talk to men, and understand them in a different light. My goal was to open a male braiding lounge. After almost two years braiding in a shop taking on opportunities like braiding for the Orlando city’s male soccer team, Toronto soccer team, and Jamaica for the ConCaf, I knew the door I was about to open for men would be big. In big I mean they had another place to go to and feel good about their selves. I see so many braiding lounges that only specialized in woman braid extensions I wanted to go a different route.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think any start of a business is smooth, I think my struggle was finding the direction I wanted to go with Loft 9. I knew I wanted a location for men because I am fully aware men really don’t have many options as women do. It was when my co-worker Jeni called me and told me some things she was facing and at that time I needed help I felt overwhelmed and I am a big fan of her work, so I asked her if I opened up a bigger loft would she join me and she said yes and I knew with my vision it would be a men’s braiding lounge. I decided to not drop Loft 9 and just add a male braiding lounge to it. As soon as we opened my other co-worker Sarah decided to start a new chapter which was also hard because having both of them helped with so much, but I was very thankful for her time. Jeni & I moved forward and I can tell all over our clients loved our dynamic. They loved how they could be serviced by either of us and never feel uncomfortable. I know the two struggles I went through have definitely shaped my vision and how much more I would love to grow.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am Alicia Valdez also known as Aliciathehairgod, I specialize in male braiding. I have been braiding for 5 years now with how quickly I picked up braiding I knew it was my passion. I am known for being the Orlando City Soccer team’s braider. Through these past 5 years, I’m definitely proud of the hard work I have put in because it has allowed me to meet so many amazing people. I don’t think I am different from another braider because we are all so talented, live for the relationships we build with our clients, & strive to feel accomplished.
What do you think about luck?
Being a single mother to my daughter and son my luck for me was having supporting parents, they are definitely the reason I have been able to do everything chasing dreams I honestly never knew would come to reality. Without their help and support, I don’t think I could have achieved what I have now.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Aliciathehairgod
kristal gonzalez
July 14, 2022 at 11:40 am
your Reno family is so proud of you