MENU
SEARCHCarlos Valenzuela is a consultant to the professional beauty industry specializing in hairdressing and makeup education, goal and strategy development, and Latino market outreach. This is Carlos' first blog entry with MODERN SALON.
Hola, I am your amigo Carlos Valenzuela. Welcome to my new casa at Modern Salon,where we can chat, with a Latino perspective, about la vida loca and success in the salon industry. I come from a small pueblo in Mexico, (Agua Prieta, Sonora), where my family worked in ranching and cattle. Nothing to do with la belleza, but, from a niño, I was intrigued by beautiful people, hair, cosmetics, bottles and admired those who tried to look their fabulous best. If my parents were puzzled, they didn’t show it. Instead, they bravoed me in every way they knew. I am a chicoa fortunado and say gracias to them in heaven.
Carlos Valenzuela
Growing up, I enjoyed my fabulosas amigas Latinas,who had made an art out of looking their best. I always ran all the errands because my hermanas could not be seen in public on a bad hair or makeup day. “Dios mio,” would be my Nana’s comment. Did you havea similar experience with your famiia?
Mexico, at the time, was traditionally restrictive of what anyone could do and become, so naturally, I fell in love with the beauty industry and its acceptance of all people. I am forever grateful that I became a peluquero. It has been a great aventura.
What I like most is the industry’s "the sky is your limit" concept. Few professions offer the option of attaining unparalleled success with a one-year diploma.
What’s that you say? It’s easy for me to say? To this I reply,¿Que?
Are you having fun? Learning new techniques, creating new estilos, do you go to eventos? In a nutshell: are you into it? "Oh, it’s a “job,” you say? Mmm, stay with me for a few weeks. Allow me to show you my side of the beauty industry. Mira, I will never be able to stay with anything that does not have enjoyment and satisfaction woven in somewhere. So, your visits to my blog will be like all the friendships I have—real and fun. ;-)
Let’s begin with this: You were born to be fabulosa, you were created and designed to be absolutely fabuloso. Did something change your mind? Because the world will continue to dictate who you are until you tell the world who you are. It doesn’t matter where you start, where you come from, what you or others think you are, your mission is to be absolutely Fabulous. The beauty industry and the world await your gifts. Won’t you join me? ¡Vamos!
Hasta pronto,
Carlos
At a time when many LGBTQ+ people felt compelled to hide parts of themselves, Carlos Valenzuela found a career in beauty and a community that offered opportunity based on what you could do and how well you could do it.
Whether it's social media, fashion, film, art, or culture, Chaz Dean advises stylists to stay aware of what's inspiring people. Take the elements that make sense for you in these five lessons learned through a life in beauty.
For Jessica Domoney, building a successful career isn't about saying yes to every opportunity, it's about protecting your time, investing in yourself and creating an experience clients won't forget.
MODERN SALON sat down with Samuels to discuss the book, beauty education, mentorship and the habits that help beauty professionals thrive.
"The mistake people make is treating AI like a vending machine instead of a personal assistant." Digital marketing expert Scott Moon shares how beauty professionals can use AI while staying authentic
Real-world advice on creativity, consultations, color, burnout, business, boundaries, inclusivity, client care, and career growth from educators and industry experts.
Today's clients are hearing more about longevity, biohacking, inflammation, and healthy aging than ever before. This article explores the science and language behind the skin longevity movement, and what it could mean for client consultations, treatment recommendations, and professional credibility.
Licensed to Thrive, Anna Manukyan's all-in-one beauty career and financial masterclass, is being gifted to professionals who enroll in L'Oreal LEVEL Rewards for a limited time.
From breaking free of external validation to creating joy-based goals, discover a more sustainable and fulfilling path to success.
A full day of education for hairstylists and salon pros focused on pricing, personal branding, client experience, social media, and long-term career growth.
From working backstage at multiple Paris Fashion Week shows to collaborating on four creative collections and expanding her international stage work, Michelle Bowden has had an incredible year of growth. Here, we break down her approach that drove her momentum, offering a framework for stylists looking to elevate their own careers.
This marks Ulta Beauty’s first scholarship partnership with Beauty Changes Lives, building on years of enthusiastic support for the organization and its mission.
Locally owned Great Clips salons offer a wide variety of career opportunities, competitive compensation, supportive salon teams and opportunities to grow your skills, both technically and professionally.
Sponsored by Great Clips
Salon suite consultant Karen Kaminski explains why cheap salon suite rent can destabilize the salon suite business model and why value-based pricing may be a smarter strategy.
These stylists practice hairdresser magic, transforming clients into unicorns, mermaids, rainbows and living works of art.
Keratin Complex is taking education on the road in 2026 with the launch of KC on Tour, a live event series featuring industry icon and salon business coach Tabatha Coffey.
Modern professionalism is evolving beyond hard skills. Technical training is essential but about 85 percent of job success comes from soft skills. In a world where AI and automation are increasing, human connection becomes more valuable, not less.
