Mireya Villarreal started with $12 haircuts in a salon measuring just 600 square feet. She went on to build Pink Pewter, an international beauty brand offering hair accessories and professional styling tools. Growing the business taught her that ownership demands more than technical skill.
Today, her work also extends to supporting others in the industry through the Pink Pewter Foundation. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit she founded provides grants, scholarships, and mentorship to current and aspiring beauty professionals, helping them access education and resources to build lasting careers.
On Volume Up by The Tease, Mireya Villarreal shares the lessons she learned about money, the different ways a beauty career can grow, and why personal connections remain central to her work.
A Full Book Is Only One Part
Early on, Villarreal assumed that money coming in meant she was making a profit. Learning to account for the costs of running her business changed that understanding.
She now encourages stylists to know their income, expenses, service costs, and client retention. Those details help reveal whether a busy schedule is supporting the business they want to build.
Growth on Your Own Terms
“Success doesn’t look the same for everybody,” Villarreal said.
She sees value in being a commission stylist, renting a suite, teaching, or owning a salon. For some professionals, progress means more profit or fewer working hours. For others, it means having more time with family.
She believes the next step should fit the life a pro wants.
Making Space for Connection
“I didn’t build my company on the internet,” she said.
Those relationships helped shape From Chair to Boss, her platform for business education and industry connection. She created a live event where professionals could hear about the mistakes behind success stories, meet industry leaders, and explore career paths they might never have considered.
Her advice is practical: research the people you want to meet, bring your résumé or business card, and ask questions!
Through the Pink Pewter Foundation, she also supports grants and scholarships for beauty professionals. The goal is to give others access to the education and encouragement she wishes she had when starting out.
Listen to the full conversation on Volume Up by The Tease wherever you pod. Follow @readthetease and @volumeupbythetease for more.
