Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex & Pam Montero.
Hi Alex & Pam, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My husband and I both began our hairstyling journey in our early teen years. Our love for art and creating something new is what drove us to attend cosmetology/ barbering school.
After graduating, we both continued working in salons/ barber shops which helped us increase our knowledge and refine our craft.
In my case, (Pam), I worked solely in an Aveda Concept Salon in Riverview. Alex worked in various Barber Shops across Bradenton/Sarasota.
In 2019 our paths crossed in a Hair Trade Show in Orlando, which led to us falling in love and getting married March 2020.
We both carried a vision and big dreams when it came to our passion for hair and decided to join our passion and create Montero Styles. We opened Jan 2, 2021.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’m sure it’s safe to say that any small business struggles at some point, especially in the beginning. Our biggest obstacle was definitely starting a business during a pandemic. People were still hesitant walking into a salon, so we were concerned that would affect our attempt in attracting new clientele. Not to mention that I, (Pam), was new to Sarasota after getting married, therefore I was starting with 0 clients.
Alex had quite a following after working here for years, which was the biggest help we had, but it would still take a while to build up the clientele we needed in order to obtain some sort of financial stability.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We both carry a variety of skill sets based on our past training and career.
In Alex’s case, he likes to combine a variety of techniques, cosmetology and barbering alike, and always find ways to expand his skills. He specializes in all-around men’s grooming, whether it’s classic haircuts or modern/on-trend hairstyles, and even beard maintenance/ clean straight razor shaves.
Product-wise, he offers “STMNT Grooming Goods”, a high-performance grooming brand fueled by the knowledge and artistry from leading barbers, and Oway Men Grooming Products, high-quality organic grooming.
In my case, I was Aveda trained, therefore I always carried the want and need to use organic products that not only cared for my clients and the earth we live on but my own. As someone who has an autoimmune disorder, it was highly important to me that whenever I branched out on my own career-wise, to continue using products that I believed in. I found through Simply Organic Beauty products like Oway, established and made in Italy, and Original Mineral, established and made in Australia.
These products have helped me continue making the styles and colors that inspire me and others, while also catering to all hair types.
Aside from color, I specialize mainly in short haircuts and curly hair, on women and men alike, while striving to continue learning as many new styles and cuts as I can regularly.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Alex and I were both artistically inclined always.
Alex was a quiet, observant, mindful kid.
Yet he felt the most himself whenever he started sketching. That love for art is what got him through his tough times as a kid.
In my case, I was talkative, slightly impulsive, yet an overthinker.
Art, music, and film were my escape from reality. Although I had a great childhood, I was my own worst enemy mentally. Through my art, I was able to also get through my toughest times and is what ultimately led me to my husband, and he would say the same.
Contact Info:
- Email: pam.alex@monterostyles.com
- Website: www.monterostyles.com
- Instagram: montero_styles
Image Credits
Honeybee Memory
Tori and Kat
