Cruz is the star of this hour as he takes us along his incredible hair stylist journey. We have lots of fun co hosts, Marcella, Sivan, Priscilla, Sarah and Toni that are all holding their breath as Cruz tells his story.
Once the YouTube Video comes out this is a must watch.
Cruz joined us originally when he shared his story of the devastating loss of his wife Laura Avila in Episode 167. That show has been consistently Number 1 since its release. He says that is was very therapeutic to tell his story then
and still helps him today.
Cruz is an insanely talented hair stylist that is a true artist. He takes us through his journey step by step from the time he started hair school at Ogle and was obsessed and loved it from the first moment. It instantly became his passion.
He graduated in the top of his class.
His first job was at Salon Matrix, a super trendy salon in Dallas, Texas where the owners Joey Bennett and John Wilson gave him a chance. He gets very emotional when talking about this.
At Ogle he learned the French Method technique, then went to Vidal Sassoon to learn precision cutting, to Angel del Solar from Spain who was another mentor and taught him condense cutting. He learned all these techniques and put his own spin on it and made a name for himself.
Back in 2002 Cruz was known for doing all the funky colors that everyone is wanting today. He has always been way ahead of his time. He also learned how to do ethnic hair and all different textures that a lot of stylists do not get to learn.
He was at Matrix for 5 years when the lease was finished and they all went their separate ways.
At that time Cruz opened his own salon called Style Lab with his business partner Eddie G. Cruz was the artist - Bernie worked there - 8 stations - 7 guys, 1 girl, handsome straight and gay guys = Boy band hair salon. They had a DJ Booth, and a
bar with a lounge. It became a huge success but Cruz was not business savvy and had to close his doors. Everything fell apart and crumbled after 5 years.
Due to some crazy coincidences Style Lab was reborn this time with a boutique inside the same location. Once again his lack of business knowledge led to it closing yet again.
Cruz took pride in his craft and has always been a big believer in advanced education. He never stops learning.
Do not miss his detailed, incredible description how he created the Style Lab at the Mosaic apartment complex Pool Party era. These were his rock star days when he was wearing eyeliner.
He tells us about his cousin Natalie and how she has been his ride or die and followed him through thick and thin. After 3 years Cruz felt bored and took a huge once in a lifetime opportunity to train under someone amazing in
Los Angeles and left the Style Lab to a new business partner that sadly got hooked on drugs and everything fell apart very quickly and Style Lab had to close yet again.
Cruz moved back to try to save it but it was too late. At that time his cousin Natalie became friends with an ex football player who invested in the salon but devastated Cruz by telling him he was no longer needed and the salon would now
be owned by his cousin and the football player and would be renamed to Studio 1514, which is still a thriving salon today.
Cruz says that everything was dying on the inside. He had to accept that he built everything, but didn't build the business. He has worked at the salon, treating it as if it was his own and he loves mentoring stylists and creating soldiers and several have opened their own successful salons. He says he is super slammed at work and believes there is enough to go around for everybody.
His journey has had a lot of ups and downs and made him what he is today.
Very soon he has an exciting announcement to make and we are so looking forward to that day.
You can reach Cruz at Studio 1514 or contact him on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cruz.coiffeur
PARTY WITH MISS POLLY:
You snooped on your partners computer - they are male in a heterosexual relationship and you find gay porn. Is it right to bring it up since you snooped?
This is a must listen - this talk turns to all kinds of interesting conversations - oh my goodness - do not miss it
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
You spent the night at a guys place and he has Make Up remover - nice touch or player?