Rising Stars: Meet Alexis Icaza

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Icaza.

Hi Alexis, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I moved to Raleigh from Georgia in 2013 after graduating with my Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education. I was lost like many 20 something years old and unsure about teaching because of my anxiety, the extensive stress and expectations. Thinking I should have everything figured out was stressful and depressing at times. I had various jobs from waitressing to party planning and preschool teaching. Money was tight and I was very unhappy. I desired to find a career I loved! My main goal was to be happy and hopefully, the money would come.

A year later, I was helping one of my best friends, Jenni get ready for her bachelorette party and she told me I was really good at hair and makeup! After thinking about it for a few months, I decided to take the leap and go to cosmetology school. Hair and makeup was something I enjoyed and came more naturally than teaching. I could still be creative but didn’t feel as overwhelmed. Assisting for a year and making minimum wage was difficult then taking clients was scary at first. Fast forward six years, I have opened my own business and truly love my clients! I am so blessed to do something I love. I won’t say I have it all figured out & owning your own business comes with new challenges but I can say I love what I do and I’m VERY proud & thankful to be a business owner! Some of my clients have been with me since the beginning and it is so fun to support one another over the years. They truly have become like family and I couldn’t have done it without them, my family and friends!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I love a good transformation!

Spending time creating a custom cut & color that pairs perfectly with your lifestyle. Whether you’re a busy mom or small business owner. I want you to look and feel your best! That’s why connecting and authentic conversations are so important to me. Building relationships is my favorite. Hearing about your successes, struggles or kids graduating! The more I get to know you the more I know what works best for you & I love cheering you along the way! Getting your daughter ready for prom, a family photoshoot or your son’s wedding.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
Going to my grandma and grandpa’s every other weekend in the mountains. I cried every single time I left even until I was in high school, because I loved them so much. Making pizzas together, laying by the pool, eating ice cream after dinner while watching cops singing “bad boys” & riding around in the golf cart with my grandpa!

He passed away in 2008 and has been such a great role model for me. Since he was my grandma’s second marriage, he never had children of his own and I was his first grandchild! I always think about him when I make big decisions. He showed me what it is like to love unconditionally, work hard & most importantly he loved my best friend, my grandma. Sometimes I thought he was the bad guy when he made us clean up our toys before grandma got home. Now I realize he was just trying to make sure she could relax when coming home. 🙂

I think he is the reason I found my husband, who my grandma and I absolutely adore. Austin has so many traits that my grandpa had. I wish he was still here but I’m so thankful for my guardian angel looking over me & guiding me the way!

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
It’s hard to pick one so I have a couple! To be patient, live in the present, trust the process and enjoy the good times along the way.

Life is full of changes, which I haven’t been the best at adjusting to you can ask my husband! Being forced to stop working for months in 2020 really taught me this. Opening a business in the middle of a pandemic showed me I am stronger than I think. At 30, I am really beginning to learn from my struggles and see the positives.

The key is to remember you don’t have to have it all figured out at a certain age!

You can start over as many times as you need! It’s never too late.

Confidence comes with practice because everyone started somewhere. I am also truly realizing being happy and healthy is worth more than money!

Contact Info:

• Email: rusticglamsalon@gmail.com
• Website: https://rusticglamsalon.glossgenius.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rusticglamsalon/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/rusticglamsalon
• Other: @rusticglamsalon on TikTok

Image Credits
(First few boho pictures) Iridian Isela Photography the rest are personal photos