We had the good fortune of connecting with Diana Olivares and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Diana, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My clients encouraged me to open up my own place. They didn’t know each other, and they didn’t know they weren’t the only ones encouraging me to go open up my own business. I thought to myself “this many people can’t be wrong”.
I began looking for a place and one day I walked in to where I am now. I asked if they had any space available and one had actually just opened up. I happened to have the exact amount in cash for the deposit, so I took it as a sign and payed the deposit.
I’m glad I listened to my clients!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’ve been in business for myself since 2016. It was scary at first and there were times I questioned if I could really do it. The main thing my husband helped me with was staying focused on my goal, which was to be a successful salon owner.

I believe that education is key. I’ve seen a lot of people get burnt out and quit. From my experience, it’s usually people who don’t pursue further education within their craft.
I keep myself educated by going to hair shows, taking classes and checking out what stylists and barbers are doing across the globe. Social media helps me stay in touch with trends from around the world.

A lot of clients often tell me that no one has ever explained hair the way that I do. I help them understand what I am doing and why, and also what to do at home. It’s important to be educated but also to educate. I feel that this is one of the main reasons my clients trust me so much.

When it comes to being creative, I’ve learned to trust my instincts. When I overthink it, it goes wrong. When I go off of instinct, it’s a hit! If I feel it, I do it. I will be doing highlights and all of the sudden a pattern enters my head so I go with it.
If I am cutting hair, I see the textures and lines I want to create and I allow myself to fallow that. I know it sounds silly but I like to tell my clients that I do what the hair tells me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Rockwall and we have some of the best sunsets here. I like to bring people to the harbor at sunset and it’s always so beautiful. In the Summer time, they have free concerts on the lake and those are always fun! My husband and I had our engagement dinner at Giovanni restaurant here on the Harbor. I bring everyone here. Sideways barbeque is also very good.

Downtown Rockwall is such a beautiful, quaint area. There are plenty of places to eat, like Bin 303 which is in a 100 year old home converted into a restaurant. Casa Mama is also one of our downtown go to restaurants. There are also boutiques to shop in. I bought my wedding dress at Providence Place. There is also live music on the weekends.

My friend Patricia Mejía is the founder of the Children’s Advocacy Center here in Rockwall and I love to bring my friends to the yearly bingo event called Bubbles and Bags. The prices are designer bags and all proceeds go to the benefit. It is so much fun!

Rockwall really has a lot to offer and I am always happy to show visitors around and bring them to my favorite places. I live and work here and I am happy to call this place my home.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband has been my biggest supporter throughout this journey. He has been there through the ups and downs and always helps me stay focused on the bigger picture.

I also joined a networking group called Master Networks. We meet weekly to discuss topics that help us grow our business and teach us how to handle the difficulties that self proprietorship can bring.
I have made lasting relationships in the group.

My friends are practically my walking business cards. They are always eager to tell people where they get their hair done and are always tagging me after hair appointments.They truly are so supportive and loyal!
Shout out to Cydney for putting my name out for this article!

Website: https://www.styleseat.com/m/v/crownedsalonstudio

Instagram: @lifestruck05

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olivares05?mibextid=LQQJ4d

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