Read this article in the premier issue of The Savvy Life
Hairstyling was in Johnny Rodriguez’s bloodline. But it wasn’t until he plunged into his family business, anticipating that it would merely be a means to an end, that he discovered his true calling. Johnny told the story on a recent episode of The Savvy List’s People Pursuing Passions podcast.
He came from a family of hairdressers who moved to Texas in the 1980s. Seven of his grandparents’ nine children followed in their parents’ footsteps and joined the family hair salon business, but Johnny’s own father was one of the two children who chose another path.
The original plan was that he would work for his family at their salon while finishing school to make the money to pay for college.
Johnny enrolled in a cosmetology course in high school and went to work in the g business started by his grandparents in West Texas. The ultimate goal (or so he thought), was to become a lawyer or architect. But then, a client experience helped him discover that hairdressing could become his own life passion, too.
“A lady came in with a picture of what she wanted. So, I figured out how to achieve the look she was after,” Johnny recounts. “She was looking in the mirror and started tearing up. At first, I thought she was crying because she was unhappy. But then, she stood up and put the mirror down, gave me a hug and said, ‘Thank you.’ Her joy gave me such joy, that I was hooked. I realized that I was in a position to make an impact on others’ lives.”
The art of hair styling fulfills the creative side of his personality, yes. But the life coaching and teaching side of the business is what most inspires Johnny. He says clients often seek to change hairstyles when they’re undergoing significant life events or transformations.
Is It Time to Hit YOUR Own Reset Button?
The role of the hair stylists and color experts at the Johnny Rodriguez Salons is to help their clients reflect individuality, creativity, and personal preferences. And Johnny himself is the lead architect when it comes to hair in Dallas!
“People spend so much money on fashion accessories. But they often don’t consider that hair can be your greatest accessory,” says Johnny.
A client writes, “I was a rundown business owner and slightly bedraggled mother of two small children. Waltzing out of Johnny Rodriguez Salon, I was ‘me’ again: a beautiful, confident woman ready to take on the world.”
And podcast host Beverly Smirnis tells a similar story. “Every other hairdresser said because my hair was fine and straight, I should wear it in a bob. I was tired of looking like a soccer mom! Johnny said, ‘You should grow out your hair and wear it shoulder length.’ I feel the new style so much better reflects me and who I am.”
“Hairdressers Are Not Just Artists. We are Listeners and Prescribers”
Johnny explains that the right decision for most people is not a high maintenance cut, but often a compromise–a style that looks just as amazing with less time required to style and maintain it. An expert stylist also considers a way to make the hair more “forgiving” as it grows out so they can reduce the time and expense of coming to the salon so often.
But he strongly disagrees with telling people they can’t have the look they want because of their hair texture or type. “It’s our job as hair stylists to help people get what they want. But we also want them to be able duplicate it by themselves at home. I train my staff that it doesn’t matter how good we are, if a client can’t duplicate the style at home, then we’ve failed.”
So, the task is to match the right cut with a regime that fits each client’s lifestyle. Then, it’s essential teach the client how to use the right products and techniques that enable them to duplicate the look. The Johnny Rodriguez Salon even offers styling classes.
Johnny encourages people to book a consultation with him. He floats back and forth between the Johnny Rodriguez Salon in Plano Legacy West or the location in Dallas at Inwood and Lovers Lane. The one-on-one consultation will yield the right recipe, and Johnny will recommend which of his artists on staff can get you ready for your “reset”.
For an appointment at either location, call 214-987-1919.
Living The Savvy Life
Johnny and his wife, Kate, both illustrate that they are living a life of passion in doing what they love career-wise. Johnny talks with humility about own expertise, which he says is learned through patience and practice and his drive to do everything he does well.
He greatly admires Kate’s innate artistry with color and fashion. She brings that expertise to the business as a makeup artist and colorist. Her expertise at analyzing skin tones and colors helps clients be the best version of themselves. She also uses her natural talent when it comes to making updates and remodels to their home or to the salons.
The pair were about to celebrate their 19th wedding anniversary at the time of interview. Then, Kate was on her way to Mexico to do hair and makeup for a client’s wedding day as we spoke.
Theirs is a very busy home life. As parents, they encourage their three children to pursue their own individual passions. Their daughter is studying to be a marine biologist. Their middle son is a recovery coach for teenagers struggling with addiction, and their youngest son has already started a drop-ship business. The family recently travelled together to Indonesia where they enjoyed the beaches, snorkeling and climbing volcanos. The home life also includes caring for six chihuahuas and six cats!
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