Adrienne Velazquez (@thesevenfigureboss) wears many hats. Not only is she the Brand Ambassador for Keratin Complex, but she is also a working stylist, educator, influencer, and a mentor for aspiring beauty professionals. She also is the founder of the mentoring program, The Seven Figure Boss, which outlines how stylists can successfully, easily grow their businesses to new levels.

In celebration of International Women's Day, Velazquez shared her own life experiences, both personal and professional, and the challenges she overcame along the way to help build a more equitable world for women who want to be fullfilled and successful in the industry and beyond.

"At Keratin Complex, we are committed to empowering and uplifting women," says Zoe Hyams, senior vice president of marketing & public relations. "As a company we have a predominantly female staff and strive to empower and uplift each one of them every day. Our legacy of aiding salon growth is an integral part of our brand identity. Our suite of keratin treatments not only support our stylist partners but also enables them to provide beautiful hair to their clients — many of whom are women. We believe that by supporting and empowering women within our company and in the wider community we can help to create a more equitable and inclusive world for all."

ADVICE FROM THE SEVEN FIGURE BOSS 

 Velazquez began her career as a hairstylist over 25 years ago, during a time when the hair industry was dominated by men.

“I was ambitious but at the time, all the top, well-known stylists were men," says Velazquez. "It was also a time when many minority groups were not well represented in the industry. I didn’t see any role models whose faces looked like mine. However, I firmly believe that if you are passionate about something, there is always a way and an opportunity to create success. I encourage and support women to pursue their dreams, achieve their goals, and share my personal journey to help other women in the industry succeed. My ultimate goal is to motivate and help women forge through the roadblocks that prevent them from succeeding, while bringing awareness to situations in the industry that can cause inequity amongst minorities and women.”

Velazquez often and willingly shares the reality of her early struggles to make ends meet and working long hours to hone her craft. With fortitude and dedication to her craft, she rose to become a seven-figure earning stylist and an influential and respected voice in the hairdressing industry.

Tips for Salon Success

1. Stylists need to offer more services, especially when others may shy away from them. “Services, such as keratin smoothing treatments or extensions, are the most profitable and most reliable sources of income and not everyone offers them. I try to offer as many quick add-on services that benefit my clients, as well as my bottom line, that I can to ensure I reach my maximum earning potential. For example, I recommend the Express Blow Out to all my color clients. It takes 15 minutes, locks in color for up to 6 weeks, my clients love it and love the results, and it increases my business exponentially. It’s a win-win that more stylists should take advantage of.”

1. “I also feel it is important for women in business to learn it is okay to be selfish. You can't pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself, your dreams, your goals. I am not advocating for people to become self-centered, but to become self-aware, treat yourself how you treat others, and consider your needs, and your well-being first before pushing those needs aside for the needs of others.”

1. “Don’t let anyone step on you. Own your worth and your resiliance. Do the work, put in the time, learn your craft and evolve as an artist, and do not let anyone get in the way of YOUR success. We all have it in us. Work smart, not hard. Women can achieve anything without compromise. You just need to believe in that.”

This sentiment came from her personal experience. Like many, she invested in herself later in life when she admits she should’ve been more assertive in fulfilling her own needs first. Retrospectively, she doesn't view this as a mistake, but as a valuable lesson to take care of oneself and to be happy. “Ultimately, you are the author of your future.”

Velazquez continues to inspire countless beauty professionals, helping them to achieve their dreams while becoming successful in the process, across the U.S.