Wallingford beauty salon built with support of Spanish-speaking community

Gerard Ortiz

WALLINGFORD  — Mónica Ortega’s passion for serving to other individuals with their hair started as a teenager living in Ecuador. That enthusiasm inevitably led to establishing her personal small business in city — Monica’s Hair Salon.

Ortega is from Cuenta, Ecuador, and worked at a salon there. When she arrived to the United States, she initially lived with her mom and dad in New York, where she also did hair at their property for 3 a long time.

When she came to Wallingford in 1999, Ortega worked at a lodge and 6 months later she begun carrying out hair from her residence yet again. Not knowing English, Ortega wasn’t in a position to get her hairdresser license. 

“I bear in mind I was doing work with a co-worker named Teresa who questioned me to do her hair. Then I commenced chopping her son’s hair.” Ortega claimed. “With her assistance I was equipped to get my license and create a clientele in Wallingford.”

In 2007, she eventually opened Monica’s Hair Salon which is located at 203 Center St. “It was tricky and scary since I didn’t communicate any English,” Ortega added. “I didn’t know if I would be in a position to develop my business without the need of realizing English.”

In 2014, Ortega opened a second spot in Middletown but it soon closed in 2015. “It was difficult simply because I felt as nevertheless I experienced to be in two places at as soon as.”

Ortega said that although she experienced a lot of shoppers at the Middletown area, she determined to adhere with the Wallingford spot because of to the connections she experienced with the consumers. “Most of my purchasers converse Spanish here and it’s simpler to connect and build interactions with them,” she reported.

Anita Zuniga, a customer since 2005, states she only goes to this salon due to the fact she trusts the service provided. “This salon has every little thing, from finding my hair, nails, eyebrows,” Zuniga reported. “Everytime I occur, Monica attends to me and currently understands what I like to get completed.”

A different consumer, considering the fact that 2013, is Ximena González, who gives out recommendations and brings her family members to the salon. “I bring my son, spouse, and daughter for their haircuts. Even nevertheless my daughter is two, she experienced gotten long hair so Mónica assisted me condition it,” González extra.

Her spouse, Luis Torres, has often supported Ortega in her journey. He also has a small business future door known as Alex’s Jewelers. “Before we last but not least settled at this site, my enterprise usually made use of to stick to. Where ever her enterprise went, I often moved in future doorway,” Torres mentioned.

Ortega mentioned she can’t visualize not acquiring him by her facet. “We are one and we assistance just about every other. With the proper assist, anyone can obtain their goals.”

Monica’s Hair Salon offers services like slicing hair, hair coloring, eyebrows, manicures, and pedicures.

For a lot more facts, connect with (203) 284-0444.

Reporter Crystal Elescano can be arrived at at [email protected].

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