Meet Kaila Trevino | Hair and Makeup Artist

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

Hi Kaila, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Ever since starting Aveda in 2012, I knew I wanted to work for myself. I also knew I needed to build a clientele and have salon experience before jumping into booth renting. After managing a salon for three years, I decided to go out on my own. I knew what I liked and didn’t like about salons I had worked for. I wanted to give my clients the experience they deserved while also maintaining my individuality.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think what sets me apart from other hair artists is that first, I will do absolutely anything when it comes to hair, as long as it works for my client. I love a shaping a good mullet, but I also love cutting long layers and doing a big bouncy blow-out. I have clients who have been getting the same highlight touch up since 2014, and I have clients that come in with a different inspiration picture every three months. My goal is to give my clients what they want, but also what works best for their life-style. I also pride myself on my ability to do a color correction. I can make your red hair green, just give me a few hours.
I think what got me where I am today is truly listening to my clients. I have had multiple clients tell me “no one has ever asked me that before!” After asking a preference question about their color or cut. A lesson I’ve learned over the years as a business owner is setting boundaries. I used to say yes to everything until I was working seven days a week. That’s fine for the first couple of years, but once I set days off and stopped working 12 hours a day, every day, I realized my business didn’t suffer and I felt a whole lot better!

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.
Most of my favorite places in Conroe, The Woodlands, and Houston are restaurants because I’m a full on foodie.
In Conroe would be breakfast at First Watch or 105 Cafe, coffee at Summer Moon or Hellcat Coffee, a walk at Kasmiersky Park, lunch at Wasabi Bistro, antique shopping in Down Town Conroe, dinner at Gringo’s or Red Brick Tavern, unlimited gaming at A Gamechanger Barcade, and a night cap at A Bank Job speakeasy. In The Woodlands I’d take them to brunch at the Black Walnut Cafe, some shopping at The Woodlands Mall, lunch at Fieldings Wood Grill, mini golf at Shankz, dinner and drinks at The Audrey and a movie at Luxury Cinemas. There’s so many more fun things to do and places to eat around me!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate a shoutout to Luminious Salon and Spa. The owners, Jackie and Gina have cultivated such a supportive environment for me to rent a space in. Before coming here, I felt stagnant and I knew I needed a more open space to thrive creatively and grow to my business in. I also want to give credit to my husband, Dominic. From driving me to Walmart in the middle of the night to get a printer for an Aveda project when mine broke, to encouraging me when I chose to start my own business, he has been there for me through it all. Lastly, I want to give a shoutout to my mom, Mary. She is my number one cheerleader. She will be the first to tell anyone who will listen about all of my little victories in life, and she’s helped me become the woman I am today.

Instagram: @thesouthernedgex

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