Alumni Feature: Ashley Morales

Our goal at PJ’s is to provide students with a quality education that can set the foundation for a promising and rewarding career. We always strive to connect with our alumni and celebrate the success they have achieved after their time at PJ’s. This week, we spoke with Ashley Morales, a professional cosmetologist at Le Crazy Horse salon, to discuss her time at PJ’s and how she has built a career after graduating. Ashley passionately describes how she found her return to cosmetology and gives important advice to up-and-coming cosmetologists.

Can you tell me a little about yourself? When did you attend PJ’s?

“I’m 32, I’ll be 33 next month. I’m married with two kids. I went to beauty school as a high school student and graduated in 2006. I kind of let life happen and didn’t pursue a career, had children, and carried on with life. I realized at 30 I wasn’t living the life that I wanted to. So, that’s when I got in touch with PJ’s here in Richmond. I knew PJ’s had a new location; it was bigger and growing. So, I reachedout to them and wanted to do a refreshment course. But then I decided that wasn’t really what I needed, and I took the whole course over because I wanted to be successful, but I didn’t want to cheat myself out of potentially how good I could be.”

What did you do professionally after graduating?

“After graduation, I started at one salon for two weeks but absolutely didn’t like it at all. Then I got in touch with my hairdresser, and I’m at a salon now that I grew up in. It’s like a dream. I always wanted to be like them. I am at Le Crazy Horse, which has been around for about 35 years. I work with a lot of older women who have done it for 30-40 years, so, I’m like the new face and new energy. You know- I want to do eyelash extensions and hair extensions. I want to do new stuff that is constantly evolving. As a hairdresser, it’s never going anywhere. There will always be a need for a hairdresser.”

 What made you decide to study cosmetology?

“I was always doing friends hair growing up. I always was trying to enhance myself. I knew when I got dressed up and did my hair and makeup it made me feel so good and confident that I knew I wanted to make someone else feel that way.”

“I know it sounds really crazy, but when I was in school the first time my great grandmother used to come to me for her roller sets and perms. She put in her will that I would do her hair when she passed away at 17. I did that, and it was really scary and cool at the same time to be able to give somebody that last little hoorah of what they were going to look like and what impression you give to somebody. People’s first impression are a big thing in my opinion. I want people to feel confident and look good all the time.”

Do you have a specialization in cosmetology? What made you choose that?

“I have a variety of clientele, but I’m really growing in hair color. It was actually my weakest point, and now it is my favorite. I do a lot of color now.”

What was one of your favorite aspects about your time at PJ’s?

“I think that realizing what the career and industry can do for your life was my favorite part about it—learning that you’re not just behind a chair cutting hair. You can be so many things and that is really important for women or young women to realize.”

“Just knowing that you can go to a school that was local. You didn’t have to worry about finding childcare and driving an hour to another place. Being able to be there and learn how you could grow afterwards. That is your foundation. They are giving you that opportunity to become licensed, but learning that YOU have to take initiative to grow afterwards is very important.”

What do you enjoy most about your job?

“First, I love the salon I am in. That’s a very important part of your career—loving who you are working with, we’re like a little family.”

“I love being behind the chair, taking care of somebody and making them feel great and building a relationship. That is really what we are doing with them is building a personal relationship and helping them through some of their hardest times. They have helped me through hard time as well. That’s really what I love about it.”

What do you think has helped you be successful after receiving your education?

“First, PJ’s gave me the opportunity. Like I said, I’m thankful they were there and local here. I do have two small kids—well, they aren’t small anymore but to me they are! Just being able to find myself and being able to go to a place where you can figure out who you are and if this is right for me. PJ’s gives you that foundation, but it’s all about you and focusing on what you want for yourself.”

“You know some days you have to go in and vent or talk to an instructor. But you know going in and staying focused and reminding myself everyday what I’m doing this for. This has helped me be successful. I was at one point where I would be sitting down with one client for the day doing towels and foams. These days I can hardly squeeze anybody in.”

“Just have that drive and stay in the salon, whether you have clients or not. And just remind yourself daily about what you are there for. Back when I was at PJ’s I was going through some scary health issues. Not only did I start during a pandemic, graduating school, starting at a new salon, and had a major surgery. Looking back, it was a hard thing to do, but at the end of the day they gave me that opportunity and that’s what I’m thankful for.”

What advice would you give someone who is entering the industry for the first time?

“I would say don’t hold back. Don’t be scared to put yourself out there. It is a constantly growing business and you need to set yourself aside from everyone else. Make yourself different— get certified in everything you can get certified in. Really take the time and put yourself out there. Market!”

“There’s going to be times when you don’t like someone or the service they want to get, but as long as you’re putting yourself out there and in uncomfortable situations, you’re going to be successful because it just makes you a stronger person and hairstylist. This is a dog-eat-dog world, it is cutthroat. You are fighting for those faithful clients. You have to do what you can to keep those clients coming back. It’s about dedication, to be honest. It’s hard work.”

What has been one of the most inspirational figures in your life and why?

“I have a lot of inspirational people, but I would honestly say the most inspiring would have to be my kids. They inspire me to be better and somebody they could be proud of. Like I said, I lost myself for 8,10, 15 years and left that career behind. Seeing how cool they were and how smart and where I want them to be— it inspired me to be a better person and not forget who I truly am. I know that sounds really cheesy, but it is the truth.”

What are some of your passions outside of cosmetology?

“We’re a big sports family. We’re constantly at athletic events. We love camping—we go camping every summer. It’s a lot of fun. We just like to be around people and listen to music and have a good time living in the moment.”

Why would you recommend a cosmetology education like PJ’s for someone who is interested?

“I would say that the cosmetology license and career is constantly growing. It’s fun and you don’t feel like you’re at work. You are doing something for yourself but for other people also. It’s a rewarding job. I would say if you were going to be something like a nurse—there’s a lot of heartache in that. There is a lot of happiness when you’re a hairdresser. And yes, there are some hard times when you’re a hairdresser. It’s also about having a flexible schedule. You can leave when you need to leave. But the industry—there’s so much money to be made, and I don’t think the younger generation understand the impact the clients have. It’s a rewarding job, but there’s so much money. There’s so much money! You could easily become a six-figure woman. I’m in a small town. I didn’t think I could make it in a pandemic with no clientele, but because I have the dedication and I’m willing to put myself out there I make money, and everyone wants to make money.”