Meet Trailblazer Leeanna Ruiz

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leeanna Ruiz.

Leeanna, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Like every girl that starts cosmetology school, you have dreams of owning your own salon, being your own boss, and having a successful company. Of course, for me, I wanted all this but I didn’t have a plan. Long story short, I worked fast food, I worked retail and I decided I wanted something more than a 9 to 5. That’s when I decided I wanted a career in the cosmetology industry.

I went to cosmetology school, I did the 1600 hours. I went to state board, took my practical, took my written, and passed.

The day after I left cosmetology school, I started a job as a receptionist and I was there for three years. Transitioning from receptionist to a stylist. However, it wasn’t easy and, of course, it was challenging at the beginning, but then, I got a little steady and eventually pretty busy.

Now, here I am, three years later, having my own chair and successfully making a living.

I’m proud to Introduce, Leena Mac Beauty.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Some of the challenges that I did have to overcome from starting cosmetology school to where I am now would have to be;

One, when I signed up for a cosmetology school that same week, I found out I was pregnant with my second child. I already had a baby girl who was two at the time. This meant I would have to make a plan to finish cosmetology school now that I’m pregnant. A lot of people thought I wasn’t going to finish because of this. Also, they had said many girls started cosmetology but never finished. For me, I was definitely going to beat those odds and finish. Of course, I did. Look at me now.

Two, at the time, I was 20 years old living with my mom and boyfriend’s family. We would go back-and-forth between houses with our daughter. We also had to overcome a predicament that was really hard for us. It set us back but, however, we did manage overcome it and we now are doing really good.

Three, finding a home for us since our son was coming was a bit of a challenge. At this time, I was finishing up my 800 hours of class modules before I could go to the floor. This is where I decided I would take six months off to have my son and then come back and finish my 800 hours on the floor. A good friend of mine from cosmetology school said her sister had a house that she was willing to rent, this was back in December 2014.

So, one thing I’ll say is to never give up because no matter what you go through, it’s for reason and you will always overcome it.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Leena MAC Beauty – what should we know?
I’m a hairstylist. I love to color and style hair like updos or special occasions styles.

I love to balayage and do fantasy colors. A good hair transformation is my greatest joy although I love it in all together when I do hair.

I find it therapeutic and oddly satisfying.

I work with the color brands Paul Mitchell and Schwarzkopf as well as Redken Shades and Pulp Riot.

I love to style with Amika, Moroccan oil and as well as Milkshake products.

I think what sets me aside from other stylist is my personality and how up front I am. I don’t like to mislead my clients and promise them something I know isn’t achievable in one sitting or may just not work, in general. I also have a habit of explaining to my guest what I’m going to do and how I plan to achieve it. More or less, my clients tell me they love that I explain it to them cause most will just sit you in a chair and just do. I know it’s nerve racking cause hello, it’s our hair and it’s our everything! So, I try to make you feel comfortable and at ease.

So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
There’s plenty of opportunities I believe. Someone once told me if you don’t put your self out there, you’re not trying hard enough. Spread love and positivity this world is already so evil. The opportunities are there you just have to be willing to have patience and go out there and find them. You can’t expect every opportunity to fall I your lap.

As far as well positioned for, I think you can be anything you want. Dream and manifest it. Put it out there and you’ll be surprised what happens when you start being thankful for what you have now. Believe, have faith, know what you want and just go for it.

Pricing:

• Balayage $160+
• Hair & Style $35+
• Color & Style $75
• Shampoo Style $25
• Deep Conditioning $15

Contact Info:

• Address: Shear Staci’s Hair Designers
  1425 N. Central Ave Ste 114
  Avondale, AZ 85323
• Phone: 602-422-0250
• Email: hairxbyxleena@icloud.com
• Instagram: I’m on Instagram as @leena.macxbeauty. Install the app to follow my photos and videos. https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?utm_medium=user_system_sheet&utm_campaign=default.ig_ci_landing_site_0621.test&utm_source=ig_contact_invite&utm_content=1q112mp
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hairxbyxleena

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