Enterprise-Journal
Just call Estética Multicultural Unisex Salon the cultural melting pot of hair salons.
The McComb salon was opened three years ago by two local women with the single goal of servicing all people in the community.
And so far the venture by owners, Paula Howard, who is black, and Alida Ortego, who is Hispanic, has paid off with their salon seeing brisk daily business from a variety of people.
The idea is a contrast from most locally owned salons in the area, which cater to either black or white clients.
“It’s a good thing because it doesn’t just have to be black and it doesn’t just have to be white,” said customer Aveta Myers, who is black.
Ortego, who hails from Caracas, Venezuela, and now lives in McComb, boasts that the salon sees all shades of people including African-Americans, Caucasians, Hispanics and some customers of Indian descent.
Howard, of Tylertown, said people usually frequent salons that are ran by people of their same race. But she said there isn’t much of a difference between everybody’s hair.
Howard, who has 10 years of styling experience, said although different cosmetology skills apply to various hair textures, they can still all be handled under one roof.
Stylist Sharon Isidore, who’s been at Estética for about five months, agrees.
“I do everybody: unisex, man, woman, race — it doesn’t’ matter I can do it,” she said, adding that it’s not difficult for a stylist to learn about different hair textures.
Along with the various hair treatments Estética also provides manicures, pedicures, facials and other services. Ortego’s specialty is called Japanese Straightener, which allows clients straight hair with less upkeep.
Most of Estética’s clients are minorities, though, the salon still gets a diverse clientele, Howard said.
Customer Sharla Rawls, who is white, said it’s important that the area has places like Estética to promote diversity.
“We all have to get along. It’s not going to do it by itself,” said Rawls, who lives in Magnolia.
Over the years Ortego has amassed a large following of Hispanic clients — a population that is growing in the area, she says.
The whole multicultural idea and the partnership of Ortego and Howard has been a product of the pair’s good chemistry.
“Alida and I have been here for three years and we have never had one argument,” Howard said.
“It’s really like she’s my sister,” Ortego added.
In 2002, Ortego and Howard became fast friends when they first met as stylists at a department store.
The women say they were practically partners then, too. Often they would share clients, with Ortego performing manicures or pedicures and Howard doing their hair.
“It was like we were pretty much working together,” Howard said.
Ortego pitched the idea of the two opening their own store.
Even with Ortego’s optimism, Howard said she worried about the new business.
“I was so nervous,” Howard said.
But then she received a mysterious vote of confidence while shopping, when a woman she had never seen before approached her with the message that she would be successful if she opened her own business.
The woman told Howard to turn her Bible to 23 Psalm and leave it someplace overhead. So the first thing Howard did when she moved into Estética was put a Bible marked with the passage on top of her cabinet.
“I’ve been blessed ever since,” Howard said.
Ortego and Howard said the transition was fairly smooth, and business has remained constant. Several of the former clients have followed them to Estética, which is located at 915 Locust St.
“I don’t like for just anybody to do my hair,” said customer Margie Faust.
Both Ortego and Howard say they’ve made more money on their own.
Customer Lorraine Gayden said Ortego has become one of her favorite stylists.
“Her personality — it’s just grown on me,” she said.
Pearl Stalling said the salon setting is great place to meet people of different cultures, since clients are generally there for a good while for each visit.
Howard said when customers walk into Estética they will find a low-key atmosphere that steers clear of foul language and other drama.
“You have to create a pleasant atmosphere in your salon and make everybody feel comfortable,” Howard said, adding that she’s thinking about adding a swear jar to the salon.
Howard said they wanted to make sure the salon’s name indicated that everyone was welcome. That’s why it’s so lengthy.
“It’s so long it won’t fit on our license,” Howard said.
Plus, Ortego threw in some Spanish flair with “Estética,” which essentially means beauty. The salon also accepts men and children.
Ortego, who moved from Caracas eight years ago, said owning her own salon is the culmination of a long-held dream.
“My dream was to open my own business — my own salon. I got it now,” she said, adding that when she first arrived in Mississippi she did not speak English.
Now she is fluent, though Ortego and Howard still encounter the occasional language barrier.
However, Howard said someday she’ll be able to converse in Ortego’s native tongue to some degree.
“That’s going to a Christmas present one year,” Howard said.
