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

Hi Pizza, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
The easy answer is that giving up is simply not an option at this point. Early in my career I wanting to give up so many times. I failed so many times. I had people who I admired that told me I couldn’t do it, I would never make enough money, and that I should just quit. When you’re at the lowest point, bawling your eyes out and thinking you’re not good enough there’s a little voice within you that believes in you and it tells you to keep pushing. I’m so glad I kept pushing because I am achieving my wildest dreams.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My fearlessness is what I think sets me apart from others. I’m not afraid to be expressive and creative. I have a lot of people who come to me so we can create something different together. Everyone wants to be unique- we are all unique! I am most excited about the really crazy things I create and seeing myself grow daily! I had a lot of ups and downs in my career, specifically in salons that did not fit me. I was told I am too much and that my look was scaring clients away. I had a lot of failures where people didn’t like their hair or makeup or there was a miscommunication (or a waxed off eyebrow) and I thought for sure I was going to just straight up DIE. I somehow picked myself up and dusted myself off and kept going. You can’t please everyone and not everyone will like you or your work but if you are doing your best and pushing yourself, the ones who will love you and your work will come! I want the world to know that you should always be yourself and express yourself and don’t listen to anyone who says you’re too much. Just because they require less doesn’t mean you should shrink to fit them. And I’ll support you in that.

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.
Houston has some of my favorite food in the world. Moon tower inn, Love Buzz pizza, Chowpatty, Tacos a Go Go, Chi sushi (in the woodlands but worth the trip for all you can eat sushi), Gen, Ninja Ramen, Rice Box, and my new fave called Fu%k Gluten (blodgett food hall). I love to go to Cidercade to play games ($10 all you can play and they brew their own cider). I love the Museum of Natural Science with the butterflies and the Art Museum which is free on Thursdays! But mostly I bring people to my friend Changos warehouse where there are always a ton of cool people and flow artists. A cool really late night spot for dancing is Ways, but you’ll have to find out the secret location for yourself. Barbarella is fun too. Also Thorne& Moon Magickal Market and The Magic Cauldron are fun!!

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?
I’d like to shoutout my Aunt Jenny Bussolati , who has been doing hair for much longer and saw raw talent in me and my home cuts. She encouraged me to leave my hometown and go to the Aveda Institute in Houston. If not for that, I don’t know where I would be now. All of my instructors at the institute taught me so much and pushed me when I was not confident.. All of the salon owners that I have worked for changed my life (some good and some bad) but I know what I want and don’t want in my career. Anthony Skoog at Green Apple Salon who allows me to be my true self and supports me in every way he can. Dara Quick at She Comes in Peace who inspires me to channel my creativity in big ways. Kaleidoscope Houston for giving me a chance early in my career and having me do hair and makeup for the fashion shows! My family who believed in me and supported me even when it was hard. Especially my sisters for letting me give them bad haircuts before I even thought about being a licensed professional. Every one of my clients who gambled and got me and stuck with me through the years! I love y’all!

Other: Linktr.ee/princesspizza

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