Conversations with the Inspiring Cherry Rodrigues

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cherry Rodrigues.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Cherry. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Like many people, my journey started with a challenge. I struggled with mental health at a time where people just did not know what it was or were still under the ‘get over it’ mindset. I was untreated and undiagnosed for a long time, anyone struggling with bipolar disorder understands how self-deprecating this can be. I had always loved helping others and fell in love with the service industry after working at my first fast food job. The pay was menial, and the treatment I received was sub-par, but the satisfaction I got from making people smile fueled me. After many attempts to get an art degree at a traditional 4-year college and working various desk jobs, I felt unfulfilled, underwhelmed, underappreciated, and frankly deeply depressed. My mental health was being exacerbated by my depressed state in a job I thought was the only option for me. How could I tie my love of helping others with my passion for creativity? I knew the answer but struggled to find the support and confidence to pursue my passion. My own mother discouraged my first few attempts into the beauty world declaring I would never be successful, no one would respect me and I could never make a reasonable living. One day at my wit’s end after leaving office job after office job, severely depressed and isolating from people. I finally shut out all the noise and listened to what I wanted, what I needed. I applied at the age of 30 and was accepted to beauty school. The rest is history. I made it, against the odds and found a place I was welcomed and loved for simply being myself.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It definitely has been anything, but smooth. A wild ride to say the least. Before I enrolled in school, I was not receiving adequate treatment for my mental health, and I was working dead-end jobs that had no chance of growth. I was stuck in a vicious cycle I had to claw my way out of, but I was tired of doing the same thing and getting the same result. Insanity much? My advice for anyone starting out is this: don’t let the bastard’s get you down. A struggle a lot of women face in this industry is other women being downright awful towards them. Stop it, just stop it right here. One person’s success does not detract from yours. We are all boss babes making a name for ourselves and changing the status quo. Support your local artists and they will support you back.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am most proud that I made the decision to go back to school at 30 and didn’t give up. The stigma for someone my age going back to school is a hard pill to swallow, let alone the financial toll it takes. I never was sure if I was strong enough but you never know until you leap. What really sets me apart from others is I am truly empathetic. I am able to create, nurture, and build lasting relationships with people. This allows me to listen, understand and reflect someone’s feelings seamlessly. I also have a fine arts background and take a lot of my hair inspiration from art, or my nerdy side. I am a huge gamer, comic book nerd, and I read everything I can. I specialize in creative cuts and vivid colors. I couldn’t possibly stray far from painting, could I? My medium and canvas may change, but my passion for art shines through.

Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
Get out there! Start a dialogue. No one knows you exist if you don’t get out there and let them know. Networking is awkward, but is a necessary evil, especially in this industry. Reach out to people, they were once in your shoes too. You might have to go through some no’s, but your yes is waiting for you.

Contact Info:

• Address: Bellisma Estilista
  4205 N Winfield Scott Plaza #6, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
• Phone: 480-946-2257
• Email: cherriedelight@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherrie_styles/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/BellisimaEstilista/

Image Credit:
Outside Shots: Alyssa Gilbert

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.