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Check Out Iris Moreno’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Iris Moreno.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Iris Moreno, born in El Salvador. Daughter of an immigrant parents Fulvio & Blanca Moreno. I am a mother of 4 kids (3 boys 1 girl). My journey started with a deep passion for beauty, creativity, and helping people feel confident in their own skin. I’ve always believed that hair is more than just appearance—it’s a form of self-expression and a big part of how people show up in the world.

I began my career working in the beauty industry in 2004, learning, training, and building my skills behind the chair and graduated from Montgomery Beauty School in February 2016. Over time, I developed a strong interest not only in hair styling, but also in creating a welcoming space where clients feel heard, valued, and cared for.

That vision eventually led me to open Blends Hair Studio & Barbershop. Starting my own business was not easy—it came with challenges, long hours, and moments of uncertainty—but I was driven by the desire to build something meaningful for my community. I wanted a space where both women and men could come for high-quality services in a comfortable, inclusive environment.

One of the biggest blessings throughout this journey has been having the support of my husband, Jaime Hernandez. When you open a business, having the right support system is invaluable, and his encouragement, belief in my vision, and constant support helped me stay focused and motivated through the challenges. Together, we believed in creating something special, and that dream became Blends Hair Studio & Barbershop.

Today, I’m proud of how far the business has come. It continues to grow through loyal clients, word of mouth, and the relationships I’ve built over the past 7 months. Every client who walks through the door is part of that journey, and I’m grateful for the trust they place in me.

As a business owner, I continue to grow and evolve every day, but my mission remains unchanged: to help each client look their best, feel confident, and leave my salon feeling even better than when they arrived. Creating positive transformations and helping people feel empowered through beauty is what continues to inspire and drive me.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all, The past seven months in particular haven’t been easy, as we’ve been working through growing pains, adjusting strategies, and staying consistent while building a stronger foundation for the business. The most difficult part has been finding the ideal barbers to stay long-term and align with the vision of the shop, which has taken time, patience, and trial and error.

There have also been challenges balancing creativity with the business side—managing scheduling, marketing, pricing, and growth while still maintaining high-quality service behind the chair. At the same time, every challenge has brought valuable lessons. It has helped us become more intentional, more structured, and more confident in our vision.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My professional journey as a hairstylist has been centered around growth, education, and creating a meaningful experience for every client who sits in my chair.

I specialize in modern color techniques, including balayage, dimensional brunettes, and custom blonding tailored to each client’s skin tone, lifestyle, and hair health. I also place a strong emphasis on healthy hair care, ensuring the integrity of the hair is always protected while achieving beautiful, on-trend results. In addition, I provide precision haircuts and styling that enhance natural texture and are easy for clients to maintain at home.

At Blends Hair Studio & Barbershop, we are proud to offer bilingual services in both English and Spanish, allowing us to better serve and connect with a diverse community of clients. My goal is to make every guest feel comfortable, understood, and confident throughout their salon experience.

I take time to truly listen to my clients, understand their needs, and make sure they feel comfortable, seen, and confident throughout the process. Many clients come to me not only for a transformation, but for consistency and trust.

What sets me apart is the level of personalization and care I put into my work. Every service is customized, from formulation to technique, and I always prioritize hair health and long-term results over quick fixes.

What I’m most proud of is building strong relationships with my clients and seeing their confidence grow over time. I’ve also been proud of growing my business and creating a space where both clients and future hairstylist/barbers can feel valued and supported.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The quality I value most in my success is consistency.

In the beauty industry, talent is important, but consistency is what truly builds trust and long-term success. Consistency also applies to how I run my business, staying committed to improvement, continuing education, and not giving up during slower seasons or challenges. Even when things are not perfect behind the scenes, staying consistent in effort and mindset has been key.

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