Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Amber Gonzalez of Little Five Points

We recently had the chance to connect with Amber Gonzalez and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Amber, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Jujitsu is where I have found myself lately. It’s where the mental noise from the day stops and I can focus on something else. Jiu-jitsu is like playing a game of chess for me, it’s fun, every movement is a strategy. It helps me slow down, and think under pressure. Rolling teaches me how to be comfortable with discomfort, something that has been huge in my life, pushing through the discomfort. It’s where I lose track of time, not because I’m escaping, but because I’m fully present. That’s where I find myself again. I really enjoy the community it brings and the friends/families that I get to catch up with several times a week.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Amber, I’ve been doing hair for over 12 years, and I’m currently behind the chair at Commoner Salon in Atlanta’s Little Five Points. I specialize in cutting and styling with a focus on soft texture, razor work, and looks that are made to move and grow with you. I’m passionate about creating hair that fits not just your features, but your lifestyle, your energy, and how you want to show up in the world.

What makes my work special is the connection, I want every person in my chair to feel seen, heard, and celebrated. I don’t just create styles; I build relationships and community through my work. Right now, I’m also exploring ways to share my skills through education and creative collaboration, with a little outside work on weddings and events.

Outside the salon, I’m a full time mom, and enjoy moving my body outside or on the mat.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Wow, this one’s deep. What breaks the bonds to me; when we stop listening, stop showing up, or let pride speak louder than love, that’s when things start to unravel. Then what restores them…. Choosing to stay and listen when things get uncomfortable. Sometimes, what restores us isn’t even the other person, it’s us choosing to heal, to forgive, to soften, even when they don’t.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that’s held me back the most is the fear of not being enough. Not enough as a mom, a partner, an artist, a human trying to hold it all together. That fear made me shrink myself, overextend, stay quiet when I should’ve spoken up, and carry things alone that I should’ve never had to. I think it comes from survival, over the past few recent years I feel like I have been kinder to myself and been able to ask for help when I never would before and it has happily surprised me.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to raising kind, strong, emotionally intelligent kids, and to building a life they can be proud of.
That means staying devoted to my craft/career, showing up in my community, and choosing growth even when it’s uncomfortable. I want my kids to see what it looks like to follow your purpose, to stand in your truth, and to care deeply about the people around you.

Whether I’m behind the chair creating connection through hair, learning hard lessons on the jiu-jitsu mat, or just showing up for bedtime after a long day, I see it all as part of the same project.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I didn’t set out to do hair, it wasn’t some lifelong dream. It was something I fell into working at a salon at 17. Overtime, it became something I poured my heart into. I’ve built a career and a community I’m proud of. But I also know this isn’t the only thing I was born to do. 🙂

There are still parts of me I’m just starting to explore as a mother raising conscious kids. I’m in the season of expanding and curious about other opportunities offered to me, potentially for retirement. I didn’t follow a single calling; I’m answering them as they come. And that feels more honest to who I am than any one path ever could.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://commonersalon.com/
• Instagram: @amber.gonzalez_hair