Life & Work with Michelle Gastelum of Scottsdale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Gastelum.

Hi Michelle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My career started as a necessity to provide for myself and my 3 children. It all started when I got separated from my ex-husband back in 2007. At that moment, I had to think about what career or skill to start without sacrificing time for my children and complete it quickly. I enrolled in English and computer classes to prepare myself and be ready for when I could decide what route to go. One day I took my 2 boys to get a haircut and realized I was paying for terrible haircuts and decided to buy hair clippers and do it myself. The result? They had pretty decent haircuts and also loved doing it!

In 2009, when my English improved, I searched for beauty schools and found a great one in Tucson, AZ. I ended up enrolling the day I went for a school tour! I don’t know till these days how I did it, but I did! It took me 11 months to complete school full time; I achieved a Master Student award while raising my 3 kids 80% of the time, driving 1 hr and 20 mins each way, doing homework, keeping the house organized, and my kids fed.

After graduation, I started working at different Hair Salons where I had guidance and mentors I learned from. A little after that, life opened the door for me to work at a hair color/ hair care company, Alfaparf, making sales part-time while doing hair full time and sparked a different side of Hairstyling I fell in love with. In 2015 I joined TIGI Latin America, but this time as an Educator using my bilingual skills and exploring another side of Hairstyling.

In 2022, I decided to start renting my chair at a Beauty Salon, and within the same year, in December, I had the opportunity to open a 3 chair salon! Dreams come true, and I am proof of that! My love for hair and education has given me the enormous satisfaction of meeting wonderful people throughout my career and the opportunity to share my gift with all my customers.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road will never be smooth if you really want something in life. There were several struggles, like leaving home earlier than my kids to drive for over an hour to get to school, check on them and make sure they got home safe, as I still had a few more hours for me to get there—rely on friends to watch them while I was at school, etc. Life will mold you; we are diamonds in the raw!

Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
I am most proud of my communication skills, as I am a great listener and understand my customer’s needs and dislikes. I also learn a lot from them; they know their hair better than me! Being a good listener will create customers’ trust and loyalty! I specialize in all kinds of haircutting as that is my most natural skill, and I started even before Beauty school (but pixies are my fave). Then color as I find it very artistic when creating patterns and applying color theory to cancel, enhance or neutralize unwanting tones.

Before we go, can you talk to us about how people can work, collaborate, or support you?
The best support is your referral! There are many great Stylists for every customer, but word of mouth is the best gift a Hairstylist can get! I am also open to learning and collaborating with other hairstylists, Photographers, and creators to expand and open new horizons!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: mich_manehairco
• Facebook: Mich And Mane Hair Co.