Wallingford beauty salon built with support of Spanish-speaking community

Robert Hundley

WALLINGFORD  — Mónica Ortega’s passion for helping some others with their hair started as a teen residing in Ecuador. That passion eventually led to creating her very own small business in town — Monica’s Hair Salon.

Ortega is from Cuenta, Ecuador, and labored at a salon there. When she arrived to the United States, she at first lived with her parents in New York, in which she also did hair at their household for 3 years.

When she came to Wallingford in 1999, Ortega labored at a hotel and 6 months later on she begun performing hair from her home all over again. Not recognizing English, Ortega wasn’t ready to get her hairdresser license. 

“I try to remember I was working with a co-employee named Teresa who requested me to do her hair. Then I began cutting her son’s hair.” Ortega explained. “With her assistance I was able to get my license and develop a clientele in Wallingford.”

In 2007, she finally opened Monica’s Hair Salon which is situated at 203 Heart St. “It was really hard and scary for the reason that I didn’t discuss any English,” Ortega additional. “I didn’t know if I would be equipped to build my company without knowing English.”

In 2014, Ortega opened a next spot in Middletown but it soon closed in 2015. “It was challenging since I felt as nevertheless I had to be in two spots at once.”

Ortega said that even though she experienced a ton of shoppers at the Middletown site, she resolved to adhere with the Wallingford place owing to the connections she experienced with the customers. “Most of my customers converse Spanish in this article and it’s less complicated to talk and establish associations with them,” she claimed.

Anita Zuniga, a customer considering the fact that 2005, states she only goes to this salon due to the fact she trusts the provider delivered. “This salon has anything, from finding my hair, nails, eyebrows,” Zuniga claimed. “Everytime I arrive, Monica attends to me and already is aware what I like to get done.”

Yet another client, considering the fact that 2013, is Ximena González, who gives out suggestions and delivers her loved ones to the salon. “I carry my son, husband, and daughter for their haircuts. Even even though my daughter is two, she experienced gotten long hair so Mónica helped me condition it,” González extra.

Her husband, Luis Torres, has often supported Ortega in her journey. He also has a business upcoming doorway termed Alex’s Jewelers. “Before we ultimately settled at this site, my business constantly utilised to comply with. Wherever her business enterprise went, I usually moved in subsequent door,” Torres claimed.

Ortega claimed she just can’t envision not possessing him by her aspect. “We are a person and we help each individual other. With the ideal guidance, anybody can reach their goals.”

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

For a lot more information, call (203) 284-0444.

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

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