Life & Work with Karla Leon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karla Leon.

Hi Karla, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My mother and I immigrated to the United States to reunite with my father in the summer of 1999 from Culiacan Sinaloa Mexico, I was only 10 years old. This was definitely a different and challenging experience, leaving everything behind for a better life and opportunity as a family, I remember it was a bit depressing and fast pace, it was very different from what I was accustomed to, but in order for a new life to emerge the old one must die, it was painful and uncomfortable but eventually, I adapted to the environment around me. It was difficult but not impossible.

Fast forward to the summer of 2003, like every teenager I wanted to have some type of monetary earning, being so young I couldn’t really get a job other than babysitting, so I started helping at my aunt’s salon on the weekends. It was an easy job. Consisted of, cleaning the shop, sweeping after every haircut, front desk duties, and once in a while, blow drying some of her client’s hair.

I remember getting paid $20 a weekend, doesn’t seem like much now but at the time I was content. Spending so much time in the salon, I became intrigued by the art, I liked it but it never crossed my mind to make a career of it. My mom decided to sign me up for barber school as a Jumpstart for an education. I graduated from both high school and barber school in the summer of 2005, I was only 16 years old.

My plans were to rely on barbering only for finances, to pay bills at home, and pay for college. My parents couldn’t afford it and I really wanted to go to school. I had a whole blueprint and a plan on how everything was going to turn out, of course, that usually never happens. At the time my immigration status wasn’t in the best position, but I enrolled at GCC anyway and started paying for classes out of pocket. I had signed up for architecture interior design but life had different plans for me.

One day my counselor pulled me into his office and asked me what I really wanted to do with my life. Excited! I told him I wanted to finish college and start my career, and he replied, “But what do you really want to do with your life? Unfortunately you can come to class, finish school and get a certificate of completion but you will never be able to major in what you picked”. I felt like all my dreams were crushed, I wanted a better life, I wanted a career and to make my parents proud, but it almost felt like I had run into a brick wall.

Disappointed about the news I decided to drop out of college that same day and pursue barbering full time, I was angry and upset, but most importantly, I was determined to really make a difference with the cards I had left to play with. I am currently working on transitioning into Real Estate and other art projects, even though barbering has taken up most of my career life, 20 years to be exact, I think it’s also good to explore other areas, educate yourself financially and have an open mind to be able to have multiple sources of income.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Of course, anything new is difficult and comes with its challenges, but that’s the beauty of experiencing the journey, sure I can sit here and share all the times I would go home crying because I couldn’t get a haircut right, how everything I learned in barber school did not apply to the work environment at all, or how difficult it was to be in a male dominant industry, especially at my age, how I had to work twice as hard just to be acknowledged as a decent barber because back then women weren’t very popular in the industry.

But honestly, every single challenge and difficult experience shaped me to be the person I am today, I learned so much, I’ve met super dope people, I’ve lost colleagues in the process, I grew a thick skin, and every rejection made me want to push harder and to believe in myself even more, how difficult it is to let go of something I’ve done for over 20 years to pursue something completely different and re-learn a whole new system. You can’t enjoy the fruits of your labor without the tears and sweat.

I love every single one of my challenges in the different industries I’ve chosen, there is no evolution without the pain and struggles, even to this day I struggle in different areas and that’s where the transformation occurs, life itself in any type of experience is simply a beautiful mess. Ultimately easy or not, a path takes time, dedication, transformation, and overcoming difficulties, we get so wrapped up in obtaining something that we forget to enjoy the process, to learn a lesson, to transform, and to get to know ourselves in the transitions.

Often times I would find myself bitter, and burnt out only because I wasn’t staying true to myself. I was so focused on proving myself or that I am capable of doing something that I forgot to enjoy the process, but I’ve learned to love and enjoy every experience because it always takes me to a whole new place and a whole new part of myself that I didn’t know before.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What I am usually known for is barbering, but my heart belongs to art and numbers. I love to sketch and paint, wanting to pursue more of the arts. Now business-wise, I’m currently transitioning into Real estate, business management, and accounting.

I am proud of myself for not being afraid to explore other areas, to not limiting myself on the things I can do or learn, exploring my talents and gifts has been challenging but very productive and therapeutic, as I get older I learn more about myself and the things I take interest in.  I’m very proud to have really built my clientele in the barber industry, enough to give me that leverage and freedom to explore more of what I can get my hands on.

What sets me apart from others would be my curiosity about how far I can go with the things I love to do, I want to have a successful career but also enjoy life, I am very passionate about the things that I do and I think that’s what keeps me motivated to keep exploring these areas in the work field.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Opinion, I consider myself a very lucky woman, even though my career has had its challenges, I’ve met people along the way that have helped me out a lot, and without a support system, things can get complicated. I feel like I had the right people at the right time. I feel very proud to be where I am now and I enjoy every second of it.

Pricing:

• $35 haircuts
• $50 beard and haircut
• Art prices vary

Contact Info:

• Website: https://369studiobykleonllc.art/
• Instagram: @369_kleon

Image Credits
Jacqueline Trevino