Meet Annalea Garza | Hair stylist & Pilates Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Annalea Garza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Annalea, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I feel like with most entrepreneurs you find a need and then a solution or product. The entirety of perfecting that solution/product leads to mistake after mistake and the undeniable need for improvement. All of this trial and error reminds me of when were kids, fighting for the urge to be seen and praised. This motivates passion towards your business. My only desire when starting this business was to be undeniably myself and to create a brand and give an amazing service. I didn’t want to just make money, I wanted to love what I do everyday.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a hair stylist, I wanted to make people feel comfortable enough to have collaborative freedom in my chair. This stemmed from my own personal past experiences being taken advantage of by service providers as a young naive girl, not feeling safe or comfortable to stand up for myself over and over and over again. I quickly learned this was a widespread issue since it was fairly attainable to become a cosmetologist. I strived to perfect my skill and communicate with my clients that I’ve always appreciated their support even though I had so much learning to do. This created a beautiful bond and relationship outside of the chair that I had never known was possible. Not only was I providing a service, I was establishing a professional relationship and friendship. It is truly an awarding experience everyday. I’ve always worked well under pressure and am often searching for new problems to find solutions for. Every client is different, every service is tailored to each clients need and lifestyle.

As a pilates instructor, I wanted people to feel so safe in a space that at one point was seen as not entirely inclusive and a luxury. It’s already so hard to incorporate fitness into your life but going to a fitness class takes the brain power out of it. After adulthood, we quickly learn everyones body responds to workouts very differently. Pilates was the fastest and safest low impact workout to impress me, changing my body drastically and quickly. The movements inspired me so much. I tried studio after studio to keep gaining insight on how many forms of pilates was truly out there. I was so grateful to find a studio to support my growth and regulars who supported me on my teaching journey. My goal for every class is to make the class worth skipping the gym, listen to great music, and possibly connecting with new like minded people. Being an instructor has fulfilled me in ways I never knew I was capable of. People come to your class to get a workout in, but it’s my job to get them to keep showing up for themselves. If they continue to support me, it’s a no brainer for me to constantly support and uplift them. It’s easy for me to want to grow in this field because once again, I am finding new solutions for new needs every class. What started as a side hustle ended up being a big part of my brand and who I am.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d definitely want to show them some of my favorite restaurant. My top restaurants in fact would be Uchi, Handies, One Shot Pocha, Nonno’s Pizza, Eunice, and Chauma Gaucha.

They would definitely need to check out our coffee shops. My top 5 would be Brasstacks, Un caffe, Agora, Wild, and Tiny’s Milk and Cookies.

I would definitely want them to see Levy park, Eastern Glades, Post HTX, Z on 23, and MKT in the Heights.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Oh man.

First and foremost, Soundbox Studios. They were the first business to trust me to manage and implement systems/framework at such a young age. I admire their work ethic so much. They were just some friends with a dream and have come so far. Their transparency taught me so much about my own work ethic and running a business. If you guys are reading this, Happy 15 years. You guys deserve it all!

Second, Jourdan Lugo (owner of Mane Form salon) and Jennifer Slim (owner of Slate Studio).
These two women were so pivotal in my career as a hairstylist. They were both willing to share so much of their own knowledge with me and I am forever grateful. They were more than mentors all the time. Their transparency also showed me how many hats I would have to wear as a business owner all the time, but also learning to love the process. I truly would not be the hairstylist I am without meeting these two amazing women.

Last but not least, My mother, Kim Luague! If you haven’t had the chance to meet her, I hope you can someday. She’d probably buy your coffee in you stood in line behind her. She is truly a woman who has lived so many lives and networked with so many different kinds of entrepreneurs. I am so grateful to have had such an inspiring woman as a mother. She’s always taught me to be solution driven and to handle situations with grace. You rock mom, keep being you.

Website: www.instagram/annaleagrza

Instagram: annagrza

Image Credits
Salon Headshots credited to @Angiejustshootme