Back Yard Day Spa, Lakewood, CA

North American Lead Colorist, Clairol Professional

Licensed: Mr. Dominics School of Hair Design, La Habra, CA, 1975
First job: Assisted at a local salon
Clients per week: Depends, but I am in the salon four days per week
Price point: $65 cut and style
backyarddayspa.com

Why did you choose beauty? I came from a family of hairdressers! My mother started her career in Europe with her uncle, who had a salon in Paris

Milestones:  Becoming the North American Lead Colorist for Clairol Professional, traveling to four continents to help launch a new color line and being part of the P&G Salon Professional family for so long!

Big break: Years ago, I was in Cincinnati getting ready to assist a well-known artist who was teaching a class of 500 stylists on color and cutting. I was only there to help with color and some blow drying, but long story short, the artist couldn't make it on that stage. My boss approached me and said, “Girl, you’re the only one here to do this!”

Your mentors: So many! Kris Sorbie, Beth Minardi, Gina Kahn, to name a few.

You mentor: Beauty students and others colorists in my audience. I also have a Design Team with 40 members.

Sacrifice and reward: Being away from my family so often. My reward is they are proud of me!

To follow in your footsteps, a woman would have to: Seek help and ask questions because if you don't ask, you'll never know.

Next change to my personal style/look: Maybe a shorter hair cut and a richer color for fall.

Reading:  A book on self-confidence.

Playlist: Amy Winehouse and anything by Bob Marley

Important client experience: Her name was Edde and she had beautiful long, thick, hair with great color. She was a social worker at a children's home and would share such sad stories of her kids.  I would tell her how rewarding her job must be. One day, she looked at me and said, “Talk about rewarding.  Look how many people you touch everyday with your skills.” Ever since, I look at my job with Edde’s eyes.

Every day, just for you: “Quiet time” after a long day at the salon and a nice glass of wine!

Working on: Launching a new color line in Brazil