CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — As we continue to shine light on small businesses this week, 3NEWS spoke to local beauty experts on how they are staying afloat in our current economy, when luxuries are sometimes the first to go.
"It's faced some obstacles like COVID, and every other business do but one thing about this industry it always bounces back and its always in demand," CEO of the House of Elegance Linda Stewart said.
Stewart helps train and prepare the cosmetologists and barbers of the future. She has 40 years of experience in the business and said its everchanging.
"Styles change, fashions change, you got thick eyebrows one year, thin eyebrows the next year," she said.
The economy is also everchanging, and with prices on the up owner of Savage Nailz, Samantha Ochoa, said both the customers and beauticians are feeling it.
"Inflations have been one of the biggest things, because of the supplies; everything is very expensive," she said. "Every time I go to the store I'm spending an extra $100 dollars.",
Ochoa said she took a leap of faith opening her store front but what helps her business through the ups and downs is being humble.
"You know if you build that friendship that connection, they will follow you no matter what," she said.
Both lady bosses said they understand when their clients are on a beauty budget.
"That's where the specials come in, we will do free style specials," Ochoa said. "It helps us using the supplies we already have and [it's] something in their budget as well."
Stewart added that they can also advise clients on what can be done at home.
"When people make choices you help them make the choices, 'you can do this at home, you can do this at home, but don't put chemicals on your hair,'" she said.
Ochoa said despite times being hard her clients are still finding a way to invest in themselves.
"Even though there are ways to save at home, people would rather come," she said. "We aren't just beauty industry, we are therapists, we are friends."
"As long as people grow hair and wear makeup and men need haircuts we are always going to be in business," Stewart said.