Samantha Martinez

I was born in San Luis Potosí, Mexico on March 18th, 2000. I am billingual and of Mexican, Filipino and French descent. My parents made the decision to immigrate to the United States in 2003 in order for us to have access opportunities they didn’t. I aim to seize any opportunity presented to me as a way to express sincere gratitude for their sacrifices. 

I fell in love with art at a young age and won multiple contests in my elementary school. Growing up I was a stereotypical aspiring artist. I cared very little about what I wore or the way my hair fell naturally. I always knew I would peruse an artistic career but I never imagined it would involve hair. 

How I decided to enroll into cosmetology school

It was a normal summer day in 2018, when I was awoken by my phone ringing. My sister who is my most favorite person on this earth was telling me about how after one too many "DIY HAIR COLOR" YouTube videos she worked up the courage to drive to Sally’s Beauty Supplies and purchase a tub of Quick Blue lightener and a bottle of 30v developer. After a few glasses of courage, she went for it and ended up with bright orange and yellow splotches (not her goal color). 

I watched every video made about color corrections on YouTube and bought more color supplies. After hours of guesswork and multiple stained towels, the result was a color that flattered her undertones and illuminated her face. This brought back her confidence, and gave me a feeling I never experienced before. It felt like my purpose. My decision to enroll into cosmetology school was based solely off of this singular experience. I wanted to make everyone on earth feel as beautiful as I made my sister feel that day. 

The first day of school we went around the room sharing stories about “our why” and when it came my turn, I was thrilled to share my story. Only to realize the educators weren’t as thrilled as I was to find out there was very little premeditation to my decision. I was told I wouldn’t last a month, so I made it my only purpose to see the program to its end despite the occasional feelings of doubt. 

Following my graduation, I applied to Van Michael Salon in Atlanta, GA since the principle of Aveda at that time was a previous employee of the salon. I was accepted into the program and relocated in 2019. I attended their color program until I became homesick and decided to move back home in 2021. 

After moving back home, I found it nearly impossible to find a comparable salon in Charlotte, NC. This led to me becoming a salon owner at 22 years old. My sister is now enrolled into Aveda and is scheduled to graduate this upcoming November as a cosmetologis. She plans to join my team after attending a formal training program.