CHICOPEE - Since he was a teenager, José Ocaña DeJesus knew that having his own business and making a difference in the lives of people around him was what he loved most. Recently, Ocaña DeJesus recognized that dream by celebrating the opening of Chic’ Salon’s new location at 1735 Westover Road in Chicopee.
Ever since he was just 14, Ocaña DeJesus did hair at his grandparents’ house in Puerto Rico, charging from $5 for a wash and dry to $10 for trimming and dyeing.
Born and raised in Santurce, Puerto Rico, Ocaña DeJesus said that when he was in school, he took a barbershop course because he was embarrassed by the idea of taking cosmetology because the only ones taking that course were girls.
“I was 14 years old and I couldn’t say that I was gay at the time, but I had this teacher Myrna Rolón who saw me doing a haircut and said to me 'You don’t like this, what do you like?’ and I told her 'cosmetology, but there is no spaces open and they are all girls and kids will make fun of me.”
His teacher took him to the cosmetology group, introduced him as the new student and let them know that whoever made fun of him for being the only male student would have a problem with her and that it would not be tolerated. He was able to join the class and begin his training.
Soon after that, his family moved to Florida. They moved around frequently as they would always start different businesses, which meant that Ocaña DeJesus enrolled in 19 different schools before graduating.
After he arrived in Florida, Ocaña DeJesus had to take a 300-hour course to validate his license from Puerto Rico. While he worked in a hotel cleaning, he also worked in a beauty salon where he worked on commission.
“I was already 18 years old and I started working with some Dominican ladies and that’s where I learned everything, how to do straightening, keratin, short hair... I was there for four years and then went to be independent until I ended up in Holyoke and I started working at Classic Magic Beauty Salon that was open for more than 20 years with Gloria Hunter, ” he said.
After being homeless for a while, he and his partner were given housing and, with a vision and dream of being able to have their own business, he managed to buy a beat-up old car that brought him from home to work.
At only 31 and with 15 years of career experience as a professional stylist, Ocaña DeJesus said that his success is primarily due to God, his family and his way of thinking.
He said, “My role model was my grandmother. My grandmother supported me a lot and my dad (stepfather) has been the best thing that has happened to me in my life too because (my parents) struggled with their businesses and he always told me ‘you can do what you want to do as long as you respect yourself,’ in fact he was the one who I told first that I was gay, and he told me he didn’t care, that the important thing is that my sexuality doesn’t define me as a human being, and so I did. I always respect myself and my fiends."
Ocaña DeJesus started his business in Chicopee in the space just next to where it is currently located, where the space was only 300 square feet. The new place, formerly a barber shop, closed recently, allowing him to rent the space. The new space is more comfortable and allows him to provide a variety of services and classes.
Ocaña DeJesus holds the title of Colorist Teacher, and is a certified educator. In his salon, he also offers a variety of products that he promotes and teaches.
“In March, I am going to do a hair show in New York. I have done the one in Honduras, Santo Domingo, Orlando, Italy, Puerto Rico, Miami, Chicago and Long Beach, California, since I am an educator for these companies,” he said.
He also teaches cosmetology students at Dean Technical High School in Holyoke and his next dream is to be able to open a learning academy.
“I have a 5-year plan and it is to expand this place to open the academy. I want to start with 20 or 30 students and teach,” he said.
His desire is to be able to retire to fully teach and above all to also offer courses in Spanish.
His optimism, dedication and vision is due to his way of thinking. He said, “The competition is great, but I don't see this as a competition, the only competition I have is with myself, every morning of being a better human being, a better stylist, a better husband, a better friend than I was yesterday. This does not feel like work.”
He also said his mother has always been very supportive of him. “My mom never told me not to do it, she always said ‘you can,'" he said.
Ocaña DeJesus always enjoys giving back to the community and after meeting with Pastor Carmen Andino last year, he decided to decorate a box to put gifts (toys) for children during the Christmas season. He said that both his team and his clients provided about 300 toys giving each child in the church three to four toys which their moms were very grateful for.
This year he has the goal of also providing an event for other new entrepreneurs to bring their tables and products and expose their companies.
His inspiration to open his own business was born when he saw that other Latinos were able to do it and also because he made sure he surrounded himself with the right people. He said, “My mother always told me ‘the one who runs with lazy people always end up last,’ and I always kept that in mind.”
He currently works for several prestigious companies in Italy and his vision is in addition to having the academy he also wants to produce his own beauty products.
According to him, there was a young girl who after doing her internship in his salon, he was able to give her a certification so that when she graduates from high school she can be well on her way to having her own beauty salon. He said, “There is enough hair for all stylists, there’s really no reason to look at this as a competition.”
For the classes that Ocaña DeJesus offers for stylists or to participate at the events he already has in mind, you can call 413-331-0428 or visit his salon at 1735 Westover Road in Chicopee.
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