Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Alvarado.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Rebecca. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I always knew I wanted to be a stylist! I’ve always felt a connection to the beauty industry. Hair was like an instant attraction to me! Growing up, I remember my mom attending beauty school. Wilfred Academy. I would watch her leave in her crisp white uniform, carrying her “Blue Box”(hair kit) as I would call it. When she would come home I would be so excited to get my hands on the blue box. I would go through it, organize it, and use everything in it on my dolls. I loved it! When she started working at a salon, she would take me with her when she didn’t have a sitter. I remember this one little salon she would take me with her in Oxford, Mass. I remember this place like if it was today. If I drive by I can literally show you where it was. I would sit there and watch her for hours roller setting little old ladies for a perm service. She was super fast! I don’t think she knows this but while sitting I would just admire the connection she had with her clients. How they interacted, the smile on both their faces. How that client felt when she was done and thanked her like she was a goddess. I admired that so much! She was my mom but how she made another person feel was like wow! My mom is really like a Super MOM! Today, when I smell a perm going on In the salon, though we don’t see much of it today it always takes me back to that moment in Oxford, Mass. That’s when I knew who I wanted to become! Ma, I love you!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would say my journey to success has not been easy at all. I became a young mom at 19yrs old. True blessing! Wouldn’t change it for the world. I finished school and went straight to community college pursuing criminal justice. It’s what I was “suppose” to do. My alternative career was to become a probation officer. But hair was my passion! I left college and pursued Hair School. Blaine Beauty School in Fenway, Boston. My daughter was a baby at the time. I remember I was so excited once I was enrolled in hair school and started to attend. But that dream ended shortly when I realized I needed to work a full-time job to support my daughter. I was so crushed! I remember leaving in tears. I looked back and said to myself I will be back one day!. I finally decided to attend hair school again. My daughter was older, things were more stable. I worked a 9-5 while attending hair school part time nights. I was there for a very long time! It was not easy at all. Being a mom, work, school, home, personal life and all the challenges along the way… I managed and learned to balance them all. I didn’t give up! I graduated hair school. That was one of the happiest days of my life. I did it! I worked at several salons partime, weekends. During the week, I had friends and family come after my day job to do their hair at night. I had my 9-5, with the stability it was hard to give that up. After 8 yrs. at the office job, I decided it was time to pursue my dream. I was tired of living a double life. I gave my notice, not knowing where I was heading, with no job lined up at a salon, the only thing I had was my passion for hair. I worked many salons after. I had some great mentors along my way. Unfortunately, I worked in salons that never really offered continuing education. I made sure to pursue that on my own. I was determined to be successful. 7 yrs. later, I’m an independent stylist, I am an educating advisor for JOICO Color System, I have an amazing following and I am living my dream. I am where I set myself out to be. Don’t ever give up on your dreams!
What should we know about B’Glam? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Everything thing about hair fascinates me! I’ve never been one to say I specialize in one particular area. But, if I really have to pick I would say corrective color. Seems like through the years that’s the reputation I’ve gained. Up do’s are one of my personal favs. I really love it all! There’s nothing I will shy away from. Most importantly to me is my connection with my clients. That’s everything! The outcome of the hair is the cherry on top but the connection that’s really important. I want to make sure that my clients feel good in and out. I’m honored to be a part of an international color system, JOICO. I work alongside some amazing people. I’m learning every day, I get to teach and travel meeting stylist from all over the world. Being a part of a color line that I myself have worked so hard on, trained in, is a complete honor.
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
Absolutely! If it wasn’t for the long road to my success I don’t think I would be the stylist I am today. From my childhood, being a young adult and turning 40 this year, I’m connecting all the dots. Everything makes much more sense as to me why. I’m thankful for all of it!
Contact Info:
- Address: B’Glam
248 Cypress Street
Brookline, MA 02445 - Website: www.bglamboston.com
- Phone: 617-877-6772
- Email: bglamboston@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/bglam_boston
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/bglamboston/?ref=bookmarks
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