Keila Olivencia, Master Barber

We start off our blog this new year 2017 with Ms. Keila Olivencia. She is one of many talented barbers we currently follow on social media and we certainly appreciate her time for answering our questions. Read her responses below and use them as motivation to start or continue your own plan for success

What lead you to start working as a barber? How long have you been doing it?
-I honestly didn't want anything to do with the hair industry. I enrolled myself in cosmetology school first to do woman's hair just to get myself a good job to help me through college. I wanted to be a criminologist my whole life.  I  took a civil service exam which qualifies you to become a state trooper or police officer and I scored 98 out of 100 but at the time in my life I had a lot of negativity surrounding me. I was a teenage mother and just involved with the streets. After  I graduated cosmetology school  I ended up back at my beauty school to pick up some financial aid  paperwork. It had gotten to my ear that a barber instructor had stood up for me when a person was trying to drag my name through the floor when I wasn't around. Now, this intrigued me because I wasn't a barber student nor did I even know this man. So I went in the barber side of the school to thank him before I left. When I entered that class room it was like a replica of a barbershop and they had music blasting, people taking and laughing and just over all good vibes. I introduced myself to the instructor and we immediately connected. He convinced me to enroll as a "cross over" and get my barber license along with my cosmetology license. It made sense to do so since it was only half the time to finish the course. Besides, I was having horrible luck finding a job in the salon. I never left barbering and completely fell in love with the industry. It saved my life and took me away from the negativity I was surrounded by.  I discovered a talent I never know I had. I love what I do so much I passed an opportunity to become a police officer in my city I received an email 1 1/2 year later for an interview to enroll in the police academy. 

Would you consider this your passion? Do you have another field that you work in?
-I have times where I can't wait to get to work and cut hair. When I leave work I'm still thinking of ways I can get better. This is more than a passion to me . It's my purpose. 

What is your craziest client story?
-there was a gentleman sitting in the waiting area on a busy Saturday morning. I could tell he was intoxicated because he could barely sit up straight and was slurring  his words but he was minding his business and not causing any trouble so I let him be. An hour or so goes by and he's still waiting but he had his eyes locked on me the entire time as he rocked back and forth. (I was super creeped out) Almost what felt like slow motion; he gets up, and zombie walks towards me while I'm sitting in my barber chair. I didn't know what was going on, I honestly thought he was gonna say something to me but he grabbed my head and In what seemed like even slower motion, puckered his drunk lips and slobbered my forehead. I was so grossed out and in shock I could have died. I literally couldn't even say anything I was so shocked and he looked at me and said sorry and zombie walked back to the chair. 

What is the one thing you want to accomplish this year(in business)?
-I'm currently aiming to be booked 2 weeks in advanced with my appointments in the barbershop by December of 2017. I also would like to teach my first private haircutting/barbershop business   class. My biggest goal is to have my first celebrity client.

What is one long term goal you have in life?
-I will own multiple properties around the country . I want residual income coming from multiple areas to put my family financially at ease. I can see myself working on movie sets cutting and styling celebrities hair. I also would like to have my own company to empower the youth in my community.

Lastly, what is your ideal retirement scenario?
-I want to be able to retire knowing I've accomplished everything I wanted to in my career. I want my family to be financially at peace. It would be ideal to watch my legacy live on.