KEY TAKEAWAYS: To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Elite Beauty Society is proud to present a month of spotlights on talented Hispanic salon owners, beauty pros, and cosmetologists. Each week, we'll share our exclusive interview with a must-know Hispanic beauty pro. This week, we're diving into an exclusive Q&A with Aida Reyna, a salon owner in Texas. 

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15!) this year, EBS is proud to highlight insightful and talented members of our cosmetology community (who also happen to be EBS members!). 

Each week in September, we’re planning on sharing exclusive interviews with talented Hispanic beauty pros from the industry! The best part? They’ve got all different specializations to speak on! 

We’ll chat with gifted stylists, cosmetology pros, and business owners who have grown incredible brands. 

And guess what? You get a front-row seat for it all right here, right now. 

Join us as we chat with hair stylist pro and salon owner Aida Reyna in this week's Hispanic Heritage Month feature. 

These members of the EBS community have taken their careers and their success to new and incredible levels, and now, they're sharing their insight, passion, and talent with us (and you!) 

Hispanic Beauty Pros Profile of the Week: Aida from Palma Hair Studio 

Meet Aida Reyna: Owner of Palma Hair Studio 

Aida is the founder and gifted stylist behind Palma Hair Studio, a one-of-a-kind Lakewood, TX, spot that’s all about helping clients transform their looks! 

Aida is a curly-cutting pro, a lived-in color specialist, and provides both female and male cuts, colors, and expertise for her clients. Aida is all about a holistic experience, so every client leaves the salon knowing how to maintain their new style and have expert tips and routines in their back pocket for the best version of their look day in and day out. 

Palma Hair Studio is active on Instagram and Facebook for those who want to follow along with Aida’s transformative styles! 

Our Exclusive Q&A with Aida 

Can You Share a Bit About Your Career? 

I’m a hairstylist and owner of my salon suite. I’ve been a stylist since 2015, and I specialize in curly texture and lived-in hair color. 

What Inspired You to Join the Beauty Industry? 

I’ve always liked it, even when I was little, I always said I wanted to have salon. I used to say I wanted to have a spa–I’m not sure why. Even so, I didn’t go into beauty right away. I went to college first and graduated with an advertising degree. I realized quickly that it wasn’t for me–the cubicle lifestyle and corporate America.

I wanted something where I could work with my hands and be my own business. I knew I liked it, I knew I was going to be good at it, I knew I just had to not be scared and jump right in. 

I wanted a lifestyle where I could be my own boss and be creative and always changing. 

What Would Say is Your Proudest Achievement So Far? 

I don’t know if I have one–but my proudest achievement, one that’s up there–is leaving my commission salon to become my own boss! I was nervous, and there was so much that could go wrong; I remember I used to write all the things that could go wrong and go great–and I think the things that could wrong aren’t even that bad! They all have a solution!

I said, I’m ready, it’s time to go! It was time to be independent, and that realization that I could do it on my own was the proudest moment so far. 

What Do You Love Most About Working in the Industry? 

It’s challenging. Sure, there are easy days...but there’s no time I’m not challenged. I used to be bored at my cubicle jobs, but I’m never bored here at work. 

You can always be better–that’s part of the challenge. And you can always do something better for your clients. There’s never going to be a dull moment. 

I also like how you can educate and listen to your clients–they come with you to feel better and look better, but they’ll be heard, too. That feels great. 

How Do You Feel the Representation of Hispanic Beauty Professionals in Today’s Industry Has Influenced You & What Do You Think They Can Do Better to Highlight More of It? 

I don’t feel alone in this industry, which is good–in that area. I do feel there are a lot of Hispanic hair stylists that I saw when I started training, and I could see they were doing well. For example, Yessica, I could see how great she was. I thought, “OK, I can be like her.” 

But I do think there’s so much more we can do, even going back to cosmetology school. Teaching textures, ethnic, coily, etc.– it was not a priority. It already puts us in a bad situation because we’re unprepared. And in my opinion, having a curriculum that’s not preparing you to accept everyone puts you in a bad situation as a stylist and its’ discriminative. It’s closing the door on people who could be great clients. 

You’re not automatically taught how to cut curly hair, which in the Hispanic community is a lot! 

I used to feel embarrassed I wasn’t taught how to cut curly hair or afro hair. You have to be like, “I don’t know how to do that,” and they all say, “You should!” We should graduate knowing how to cut more than just straight hair. 

Where Have You Noticed the Most Growth for Hispanic Beauty Pros? Has it Motivated You? 

I think social media for sure. I’m located in Lakewood and I do feel like that we need more Hispanics in the position of owning the salon, not just being hair stylists. I think social media is where I go for that inspiration. I feel like it would be great to connect with Hispanic salon owners that are doing the same thing I’m doing. 

What are Some Things You Think the Beauty Industry Could Do to Inspire More Hispanic Beauty Pros & Owners? 

I think to show how successful you can be in this industry would be huge. A lot of Hispanics seeking higher-paying jobs may not know that the beauty industry could give them that. I’m an immigrant, so my parents didn’t raise me here–but they had this idea that if I was in the beauty industry, I was going to be earning really little, or I wouldn’t be making enough money to support myself. Which isn’t true.

If you do connect with other people who are like you–who maybe even speak your language if you weren’t born and raised here–that can make you feel more comfortable and show you what you can achieve. You can make over $100,000 in this industry if you want to–that’s possible. Don’t belittle this industry because some people see it as a not high-earning job.