"You have to love what you do and always be open to learning."
For Valencia, studying Level 2 Hairdressing at BDC has been the next step towards turning a lifelong passion into a successful career.
Growing up in Honduras, Valencia discovered her love for hairdressing at a young age. She taught herself how to braid using grass roots before practicing on herself and her mother, dreaming of one day opening her own salon.
After moving to the UK, her husband encouraged her to pursue that dream. She enrolled on an Entry Level Hairdressing course at BDC in 2021 and has progressed through the different levels ever since. Now studying Level 2, she is already looking ahead to completing Level 3 next year.
Reflecting on her journey, Valencia says studying at BDC has helped her develop both her confidence and technical skills in a professional salon environment.
That dedication was recognised when she was crowned the winner of the Greater London Skills Competition, competing against twelve students from six colleges in a bridal hairstyling challenge.
"My tutor, Lorraine, encouraged me to enter," Valencia says. "I only had the chance to practice four times before the competition but I felt calm and excited on the day. Seeing the judges take an interest in my work gave me even more confidence."
Winning the competition has inspired her to believe even more in her abilities and continue developing her skills. The achievement was made even more special as her 19 year old son, who also studies at BDC, won the science competition, making it a proud moment for the whole family.
Throughout her course, Valencia has developed a wide range of practical skills, including cutting, layering, perming, colouring, treatments and client care. She says the course has introduced her to techniques she would never have learned on her own while preparing her for a successful career in the industry.
Looking ahead, Valencia hopes to continue building her own client base before opening her own salon. She already provides hairdressing services in her spare time, saving money to invest in professional equipment and achieve her long-term ambition of running her own business.
For anyone considering
a career in hairdressing, her advice is simple: "You have to love what you
do and take pride in making your clients happy. Listen to your clients, pay
attention to the details and always be open to learning."
