Today we’d like to introduce you to Rozie Virani.
Hi Rozie, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
My interest in being a hairstylist began at the age of 5. I started practicing on my doll’s hair and my cousin’s hair when they would allow. I started learning how to braid at a very young age as well. Fast forward to the days of finishing high school and trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I went to college at first but couldn’t figure out where I belonged there. All I could think I wanted to do was hair. I finally made the decision to withdraw and enroll in hair school. During my time in hair school, I worked at a salon in Roswell, GA where I began taking classes and training to get on the floor taking clients. I felt like I was getting double the education and getting a real hands-on experience of what the hair world felt like. I would work 9-3 and go to school from 4-9 until I completed my program. From there, I continued to work at the same salon I was training at and continued to work there for a few years after. Eventually, I enrolled back in college to get my associate’s degree in business and a bachelor’s degree in marketing and design while I worked for various other salons in the Atlanta area, undergoing vigorous training by well-known brands in the industry. In 2015, I took a leap of faith and started my own business. Today, Aqua Roze Hair Studio will be 9 years old!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It wasn’t always a smooth road. I loved the hair world and many people I had met through the industry. However, I did meet some sketchy people as well. I had some bosses who had me put in hours they did not pay me for, and also, I had a boss who did not pay me my last paycheck when I decided to quit her salon. I started realizing if you are not careful, the hair industry is full of people who might take advantage of you. Being a stylist looks so glamorous to people on the outside looking in. Yes, it is loads of fun, but it can take a toll on your body as well. I don’t look at this as a downside, but it can be a struggle unless you learn balance of your career and taking care of yourself.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am hairstylist and salon owner in Sandy Springs, Georgia. I specialize in coloring, cutting, formal styling, and bridal styling. I think what makes me proud is I have worked very hard to get where I am today. I also take pride in taking time with my clients and making sure I provide a service they are happy with. My goal is for my clients to feel confident and feel the love exude from within. I think what sets me apart is I truly get to know my clients on a personal level and create relationships with them individually. I have heard clients say they prefer a smaller salon setting because big salons feel more like an assembly line. Aqua Roze Hair Studio is a very intimate setting and safe space for clients to feel pampered and at home. It is important for me to have depth and understanding with clients so I can personalize what styles truly suit them. I also have been told I have an empathetic heart and personality and I believe that radiates into my work.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I believe staying humble with the will to keep going is a quality that is important to your success. There are many roadblocks when it comes to being an entrepreneur and an artist. There will be times of defeat and times of victory. I think in the times of defeat, remembering my purpose and why I started this journey helped lead the way. I had to just remember to put one foot in front of the other and keep going.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hairbyrozie.com
- Instagram: aqua_roze
- Facebook: Rozie Virani
