Meet Janet Flores | Hairstylist & Paul Mitchell Educator

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

Hi Janet, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Risk is an important part of life in my opinion. Without risk, there comes no reward. Without reward, life seems to stay still. I once was scared of change. I feared it so much because of losing stability. Once I had a stable income i didn’t want to leave it. Then COVID happened. In a way, COVID was a blessing yet, it was a terrible time we all faced. COVID taught us to adjust to change and challenges we never thought of going through before; ever. During this time, I moved states twice. Something I never thought I would choose to do. My now fiancé and I met in Colorado during COVID. He made me see a new world Ive never experienced outside of California. He was living in Nebraska at the time while, I was still in California locked up because of COVID. Yet, we booked a flight to meet and ever since leaving comfort which was California my whole life, I decided to leave California and start a new life with him. New beginnings and life brought us back to the beautiful state of Colorado. Which now, if time, life and risk didn’t happen, I wouldn’t be where I am now. My career of educating and being a hairstylist wouldn’t be where I am today if i wouldn’t have taken a risk. I was TOP 100 hairstyles for Modern Salon Magazine 2023 because of educating. Education has been a big blessing for me. Understanding patience, process, building confidence in others and understanding what to takes to be a leader. I’m in the process of opening my own store front hair salon and its been a journey! Risk is something we as humans need to learn to accept if we don’t take them we will never grow.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When I graduated high school, I was already enrolled in cosmetology school. I attended Paul Mitchell Pasadena and I finished within a year and three months. My time there was a bit of an up and down. I had non supportive teachers. I was told I wasn’t going to be a hairstylist because I just wasn’t good enough. It was hard to let that go. What was said lingered with me for a long time. Once I graduated cosmetology school, I started at a beauty salon in Hollydale, CA named TERE Q Beauty Salon. It was a mom and pop shop where I stayed for 4yrs! I come from a Latin background and this salon was only Spanish speaking and it felt like home. I learned so much from the other stylist there that have been doing hair for more than 15yrs. One was my stylist before I become one. I learned so much about color from her. Her name was Melva. She passed in 2023 and I will forever be grateful for her and will have a special place in my heart always. After 4yrs, I wanted more things in life. New car, new home a new path. I then started working at a salon in Downey. The prices were higher and the clientele was asking for what was very popular at the time. The ombré technique and balayage looks was coming into play. It was difficult at first for me to know my worth. I was working at a place before making 50% commission and haircuts were $6. Yup, I was making $3 a haircut. So, when prices were higher I kept remembering what others would say to me how I would never be good enough. I kept my head up and tried my absolute best and built my clientele with a higher confidence and push to grow as a stylist. After a year of working at the Downey salon, I left to work at Downtown Leche where I flourished as a professional hairstylist. I was working on the 10th floor, high rise building in the middle of downtown LA next to staple center. There I built myself up and worked with big brands such as B3 ( Brazilian Bond Builder), Paul Mitchell influencer team, Schwarzkopf TBH line and Schwarzkopf. I was building my brand and myself as a professional to be apart of the community where I never thought I would be in. I learned networking and building connections is a major role in building a brand. The relationships Ive build and the amount of time it took, patience and commitment is something I learned along the way of my journey. After, working with others at Downtown Leche, I decided to work in a Studio. Five months after I began my new path in the my studio called Electric Flower Studio, COVID hit. Thats where I took my biggest risk!

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.
I’ve been obsessed with Colorado Springs recently. The greenery is beautiful! For example, the Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak would be the top of my list to show! Im obsessed with seafood and definitely Mariscos Del Rey would be my place to take anyone who wants a good time, good food and good live music! In Broadmoor, Colorado Springs they have zip lining which is the absolute most beautiful scenery. Not to mention, if you love height’s then this will be a thrill!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
A big shoutout to my mom, my fiancé and my students. Without them, I truly wouldn’t be where I am today. With my mom’s endless love and support in anything I choose to do shes always there. Even as much as I’m worrying her with my recent obsession with racing, poor thing I’m probably giving her heart attacks every time I mention I have a new event I’m attending. My fiancé, for always challenging me to be better and knowing I can do more when I put my mind and heart into what I do. He can drive me crazy but, I know in his heart he always wants whats best for me. He tells me the truth and there’s not a lot people like that in this world anymore and I admire that of him. My students for always giving the support and love for me. Ohh boy do they test my patience BUT, they don’t realize how much they taught me about growth. Ive seen my students grow stronger with confidence. Ive seen them grow stronger in their craft. I’ve seen them grow within themselves by taking responsibility and accountability. They taught me to be a better leader. I will always be grateful and I appreciate them every much.

Instagram: @modernmisfitllc