Issue link: https://www.ahpindiestylist.com/i/1528796
44 AHP Indie Stylist Volume 5 Issue 2 Atalaya by her clients, so much so that it's award- winning, taking home "Best Hair Salon in San Antonio" four years in a row. And that "Cut-a- on" event? It's become a tradition. She's raised more than $10,000 in grant money over the past fi ve years. e event brings the community together for a day of beauty services, vendors, music, and food. e money donated through the event is used to create that year's grant for a lucky student. Atalaya has beauty students share their stories for their chance to be selected. A panel of judges chooses the winner, whom Atalaya then surprises with an oversized check (à la Publishers Clearing House). e event has steadily grown each year, and she wishes to expand so more students can receive the assistance they need to join her in the industry. is love of giving back to students stems from Atalaya's appreciation for education. She's a lifelong learner who knows that hair professionals are never truly done learning. In addition to giving students money for their education, Atalaya is an educator. She's a technical advisor with Oligo Professionnel and has planned networking events and business education opportunities for fellow professionals. AHP Indie Stylist sat down with Atalaya to learn more about her life's mission of learning, fostering her family (both the one at home and the one in the salon), and giving back to future stylists. AHP Indie Stylist: You've been in the industry for almost two decades. How do you handle the pressure to constantly keep up with newer stylists? Atalaya Figueroa: I am very open to always learning. No matter how long I've been doing this, I'll learn from stylists who have been doing it for one year or stylists who've been doing it for 30 years. Everyone has something "No one can take your education from you. My license and my skills? No one can take that from me. This license has taken care of me and my family in every situation I was in."