We had the good fortune of connecting with Nashla Renteria and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nashla, what do you want your legacy to be?
As I think of what I would want my legacy to be, I would love for when people hear my name to think of my love for my family and friends, for the love and passion for my work and creativity , for the fun I had living my life and my traveling seeing different parts of the world trying different foods and being fearless. For people to think of me as that one person who always gave 100 percent in everything I did, but still balancing my life and not being enslaved to anything, always being that one person they could count on no matter what.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Ive always been the type of person to get bored very easily, so choosing a career of being a hairstylist was a match made in heaven for me. I love creating things I’ve always been very artistic and I love making new friends and meeting new people and knowing their stories. Being a hairstylist has allowed me to do all the things I love, Ive been doing hair for 23 years and I can say I am not bored yet, its always different and new. I think what sets me apart from other hairstylists is my dedication and my one on one with my clients, they are more than just clients, they become my friends and I become their confidant there’s a special connection that a lot of people don’t get blessed with in their line of work. My most proud accomplishment was when my partner and I got our Hair studio, knowing something was ours and being bosses felt great, but it didn’t come easy there was a lot of blood, sweat, and tears and after all that hard work after 17 years we finally got our own hair studio. So many years working under someone isn’t easy and its not always fair, but I kept focused on my dream of one day being my own boss and when I got there it felt amazing. For any hair stylist out there starting out all I can say is don’t give up, keep going even when things don’t seem great, and they get hard, push through I promise it will all be worth it at the end. I want the world to know that even after 23 years of doing hair im still learning new things, I still push myself do be the best I can be and I love it when my work shows it.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
So knowing the things my best friend and I love doing my itinerary would go something like this. We are both breakfast and coffee lovers so I would take her to Breakfast Republic such a yummy place to eat breakfast specially if you’re a French toast or pancake lover they have amazing mimosas, for sure go to Better buzz for delicious coffee and just sit and chat since it such a cute place. Take a walk on the harbor or the Gaslamp Quarter. Go watch a show or play at the San Diego civic theatre. We love shopping and the best shopping would be at either Fashion Valley or UTC mall, so many high end stores to choose from. I wouldn’t let her leave before taking her for dinner at Animae restaurant they have the best asian fusion food or if she’s craving some steak Del Friscos is amazing. Go walking to one of the Farmers Markets those are always nice on a Saturday or Sunday. Also some dessert would be amazing one of my favorite but a little fancy would be Extraordinary desserts or if we just want something simple like donuts , nothing beats the Donut bar.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be where Im at right now without my partner Tic, she’s been there since the beginning and also our families. My husband has been such a great support always helping me with the kids so im able to work some late days, and also want to thank Sola salon studios because without them we wouldn’t have Artiste’ Hair studio, they gave us the opportunity to have our own business and made it so easy for us. Instagram and facebook has been such a great platform and easy way to show my work and has helped along the way to grow our business cause it allows us to showcase our talent.

Instagram: nashlas.chic.rockin.hair
Facebook: Chic Rockin Hair
Yelp: Artiste’ Hair Studio

Image Credits
Ignacio Renteria, Nashla Renteria, Ivonne Solorzano