Cynthia M. Valdez-Leader/Educator

Hey Dallas! ✨

After 32 years behind the chair and 25 years as a salon owner, I’m officially looking for a more permanent, stable salon home—and I want to make sure it’s the right fit for both of us.
I’m searching for a collaborative, kind, and supportive space where I can bring my clientele and work alongside positive, like-minded professionals.

Here’s what I’m looking for:

📆Schedule: Available early weekday mornings, plus full days on Saturdays and Sundays. Flexibility.

😎The Vibe: Team-oriented, respectful, and structured. I’ve run my own salons for decades, so I have zero desire to run yours—I just want a great space to take care of my clients. (And while I’m an open book if anyone ever wants business advice, I’m definitely not here to hand out unsolicited advice!)

📍Locations: Oak Cliff, East Dallas, Lakewood, Lake Highlands, Downtown, and the Design District. Big salon or tiny suite—it truly doesn’t matter to me as long as the energy is right for us both.

⚡️I didn’t mention in the video but I am open to various pay structures.
✨If you are a salon owner, a suite stylist looking to share space, or know someone who fits this description, let’s connect. Send me a message or share this video with the right person!

Hey Dallas! ✨

After 32 years behind the chair and 25 years as a salon owner, I’m officially looking for a more permanent stable salon home—and I want to make sure it’s the right fit for both of us.

I’m searching for a collaborative, kind, and supportive space where I can bring my clientele and work alongside positive, like-minded professionals.

Here’s what I’m looking for:

📆Schedule: Available early weekday mornings, plus full days on Saturdays and Sundays. Flexibility.

😎The Vibe: Team-oriented, respectful, and structured. I’ve run my own salons for decades, so I have zero desire to run yours—I just want a great space to take care of my clients. (And while I’m an open book if anyone ever wants business advice, I’m definitely not here to hand out unsolicited advice!)

📍Locations: Oak Cliff, East Dallas, Lakewood, Lake Highlands, Downtown, and the Design District. Big salon or tiny suite—it truly doesn’t matter to me as long as the energy is right for us both.

⚡️I didn’t mention in the video but I am open to various pay structures.
✨If you are a salon owner, a suite stylist looking to share space, or know someone who fits this description, let’s connect. Send me a message or share this video with the right person!

“It’s her hair, I just grow it.” 🥹
DeCarla, reading these words truly touched my heart. After 31 years in this industry, it is the 20-year journeys like ours that mean the most to me. Beyond the highlights and the precision of the cut, it’s the trust we’ve built that allows me to do my best work.

🩵To have a client grow with me, through every trend and season of life, is the greatest honor a stylist can have. Thank you for letting me keep your look fresh, modern, and—most importantly—uniquely you. I’m so grateful for your loyalty and for the joy you bring to my chair! ✨

💡𝐒𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐩: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲.

If you’re wondering if you’ll “make it,” remember: 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙, 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙗𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙮.

𝟏. 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐝𝐨𝐭𝐞:
Never stay stagnant. If you’re bored or unsure, get into a classroom. Mastering new science and techniques transforms “imposter syndrome” into expertise.

2. 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐭:
Your skills get them in the chair, but your heart keeps them there. The deep friendships I’ve built with my clients are what provided the determination to push through every tough season.
There will be hard times—recessions, personal health battles, and industry shifts. What will pull you through isn’t just your ability to paint a perfect balayage; it’s the friendships and deep human connections you build in your chair.

𝟑. 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞 "𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭":

It isn’t a destination; it’s a marathon. Every year you choose to evolve and show up for your people, you’ve already arrived.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: Lean into the uncomfortable and keep learning. This career has been the joy of my life—invest in your craft and your community, and it will be yours, too. 🩵

-Cynthia M. Valdez
Still learning, always a student