Slowly and surely a new class of diverse and eclectic Latina-owned businesses is cropping up, each with varied stories of success. Today Latina entrepreneurs’ ventures can be found in an array of markets ranging from beauty products, clothing, health, and even locally grown food.
In the past decade, several Latina business women have inspired others to follow their path- and one of them is powerhouse, Victoria Flores. Born and raised in Mexico, Victoria spent a good deal of her youth in Texas, where she went to college and earned her degrees in political science and masters of business administration. Being used to hard work, she set out to achieve her American dream.
From making money for others to making dreams come true
Because of her education in finance, Victoria’s first job was as a regional manager with Themis Capital; she was then recruited as an associate by Morgan Stanley and then became President at Adriana Carador Designs. After a 5 year stint, she became a manager at Katz Capital.
Despite all the financial success working for others, Victoria somehow had bigger aspirations; she wanted to do more in life than just being an executive finance officer. Her eureka moment came when watching TV- she realized she would venture into the hair extension business.
The hair extension business a hard industry to tackle
The hair extension business in this country is chaotic, prohibitively expensive and with a growth potential of almost $500 billion. Almost 70 percent of the customers are African-American women but less than one percent of them own a hair extension shop. Worse, Latino females were seemingly shut out both as customers and owners.
There are hundreds of beauty shops all over the country that target African-American women. Getting a hair extension is difficult because most of these beauty shops offer no guarantee and the extensions often vary in quality. Even a mere try out costs money and the client has to pay a deposit which is often never refunded if there is an issue with the extension.
Because of her own prior experience with hair extensions, Victoria now saw a niche for women of all colors.
What if we start a hair extensions business?
Wanting her own business, in 2012 Victoria became a partner with Leslie Wilson and launched Lux Beauty Club to create a one-stop shopping community where customers could buy hair and beauty products on a regular basis.
Wilson and Flores hit on the subscription box idea, and Lux Beauty Club was born.
Today, Victoria Flores offers individual hair extensions to people with all type of budgets. This business caters to luxury hair extensions which are delivered to the door. Ramona Singer has partnered with Lux Beauty Club as their lead Brand Ambassador.
“What is different about our hair extension business is that it offers a range of hair extensions that are affordable and personalized. There are no exorbitant fees or deposits,” Victoria said to LIBizus.
Within a few months, her business skyrocketed. Today Victoria Flores is a widely sought spokesperson for many national hair and salon chains. Now she is living her American dream.
Lux Beauty Club, the booming hair extensions business
Over the past 5 years, the Lux Beauty Club has been booming. Victoria has created a small network of customers and followers and her clients range from housewives to celebs and corporate women who simply want to look gorgeous with their hair. But most importantly, she bypassed many of the pitfalls that happen to new start ups by building a successful business. She was recently selected as one of 8 finalists at the AccessLatina accelerator program.
Paying forward a Latina legacy
Victoria Flores has never forgotten her roots and she frequently gives advice to the newer generation of Latino females who want to venture into business. As a thought leader, Victoria has also authored a book, “The Menhatten Project,” a “a fun, extremely sexy and laugh-out-loud funny page-turner, featuring whip-smart women and to-die-for men,” according to Alisa Valdez own review. The book reveals a Sex in the City Bridget Jones meeting Ugly Betty, piece based on experience while working as a single female in New York.
Beyond commercial businesses such as the Lux Beauty Club, most Latina entrepreneurs also have a very strong emphasis on positively uplifting local communities and inspiring others to make their dreams come true.
When not working at the business, Flores loves to support other non-charity non-profits, explore the many new culinary spots in Miami, learning about the latest in digital devices and spending time with her family. If you are lucky you may catch her at the beach in Miami or at her favorite restaurant in Chelsea.
