La Julieta Salon, Sandra E. Garcia and Andrea Toro

La Julieta Salon: A Luxurious Space with a Friendly Vibe

By Diana Hinojosa

      Sandra E. Garcia and her business partner Andrea Toro know what it is to keep their eye on the prize. That is how they were able to open up their first business along Pilsen’s 18th street corridor, after years of juggling full-time jobs and school. The space opened up in May of this year, months after they both completed ESDC’s Entrepreneurship Capacity-Building Cohort Program, designed to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools they need to launch their start-up business.

     La Julieta Salon (1730 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608) is a chic space, akin to those found in Lincoln Park or Wicker Park, but with a relaxed vibe. “We wanted to create a luxury space in Pilsen, but with friendly service, because our community deserves to be pampered in that kind of setting too,” says Sandra.

     The salon was named after Juliet, the main character of one of Shakespeare’s plays who came from a noble family, but found the power within to take the reins of her own life. Although in the story she suffers an unexpected fate, in modern times Juliet surely would have been triumphant. “I want the women who come into our salon with the wear-and-tear of everyday life to walk out of our doors feeling gorgeous and empowered,” says Sandra.

     La Julieta Salon was inspired by many of the world-class salons Sandra and Andrea experienced in their travels to other countries. They were able to capture not only the aesthetic of such places, but also the high-quality of their service, through which the pampering itself is just as important as the finished product.

     This Latina-owned salon (Sandra is Mexican-American and Andrea is Puerto-Rican and Colombian) offers a myriad of services: hair-cutting, coloring and styling, hair removal, Brazilian blowouts, keratin treatments, and make-up artistry. The salon is also equipped to offer both manicures and pedicures. With decades of experience between the two of them, this dynamic duo is already thinking of ways to grow their business.

     To those who dream of one day becoming their own boss and starting their own business, Sandra offers this advice, “Know that there are resources out there in the community that are accessible to you.” Sandra recommends ESDC’s Entrepreneurship Capacity-Building Cohort Program where she thought the presenters were very knowledgeable and where she felt comfortable with her peers since they were “at [her] same level” in terms of entrepreneurial experience. She also offers this advice: “Never stop learning. It is important to keep your skills current.” This is the philosophy of La Julieta Salon where their staff is urged to continue taking courses to keep up with modern trends. If Sandra and Andrea were able to make their dream of starting their own business come true, despite not having come from entrepreneurial families themselves, so can you. Please visit La Julieta Salon’s Instagram page for more info(@lajulietasalon). For more information on ESDC’s Entrepreneurship Capacity-Building Cohort Program, please contact Diana Hinojosa at dhinojosa@esdcchicago.org.