We’re looking forward to introducing you to Angela Soto. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Angela, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
Yes, I would hire me—because I bring commitment, heart, and consistency to everything I do. In my business, I make sure operations run smoothly, always putting care and attention into every detail. As an educator, I show up 100%, making sure my students receive everything I have to give. And in life, I lead with compassion, putting others first and always striving to be a source of support and kindness.
People often describe me as helpful, supportive, and kind—and I take pride in creating spaces where others feel encouraged and seen. I thrive in dynamic environments that challenge me, where growth is possible and the energy is positive. That’s where I shine the most.
I’m proud of myself for not giving up—even when things didn’t go according to plan. I’ve kept moving forward, and that resilience is one of my greatest strengths.
But I also recognize the areas I’m still working on. I can sometimes be a little laid-back, and I’ve wrestled with self-doubt and lack of motivation. Confidence doesn’t always come easy for me. I know that if I truly believed in myself more—and invested in further education—I’d be unstoppable.
So yes, I would hire me. Because I’m self-aware, I’m constantly growing, and I care deeply about the work I do and the people I serve. And that’s the kind of person every team needs.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi Voyage readers! My name is Angela M. Soto. I’m a bilingual educator, salon owner, and master stylist with over two decades in the beauty industry. I’m passionate about empowering other professionals through education, mentoring, and creative leadership. I currently run Beauty Box Hair Salon and also serve as a brand educator, helping stylists elevate their craft and grow their businesses.
But beyond the chair and classroom, I’m also a mother, a dreamer, and a woman who has overcome deep personal losses with faith, love, and resilience. My journey has been far from easy, but it’s shaped me into someone who leads with heart, shows up fully, and believes in the power of community and transformation.
Thanks for letting me share a little of my story—I hope it inspires someone out there to keep pushing forward, too.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that clearly shaped how I see the world was the loss of my children.
There’s no roadmap for that kind of pain, and it changes you forever. It made me realize how fragile life is, but also how deeply love roots itself in us. Losing them didn’t just shift my priorities; it turned my purpose. It made me more compassionate, more present, and more intentional about how I show up in the world—for my daughter, for my clients, for my students, and for myself. It gave me a deeper understanding of resilience, and it taught me that healing and strength can exist in the same breath.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
“You are stronger than you know, and you don’t have to carry everything alone. One day, the love, the losses, and the lessons will shape you into a woman with so much purpose, heart, and grace. Trust your Path, even the broken parts are building something beautiful. ” keep going
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The beauty industry is full of passion, creativity, and transformation—but it’s also full of lies we don’t talk about enough.
We say beauty is only skin deep, but I’ve learned it’s so much deeper—it’s emotional, it’s healing, and it’s powerful. We glorify the hustle, like burnout is a badge of honor, when in reality, rest and boundaries are what keep us going. We act like getting licensed is the finish line, when it’s really just the beginning. Growth only comes through continued education, mentorship, and staying open to evolution. Social media tells us that if you’re not booked months ahead, you’re doing something wrong—but real success looks different for everyone. And even as educators or brand reps, we don’t have it all figured out. We’re still learning, balancing life, and fighting our own doubts.
The truth? Behind the hair, the content, and the glam, we are human. And that’s what makes this work so beautiful.
This is what I stand for as an educator.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I lived with purpose, led with love, and never gave up. That I showed up for others even when I was broken, that I made people feel seen, heard, and valued. I hope they say I turned my pain into purpose, that I honored my losses by living fully, and that I poured myself into every client, every student, every moment with my daughter.
That I taught others not just how to do better work, but how to believe in themselves. That I didn’t chase perfection—I chased truth, healing, and connection.
And I hope, more than anything, they say I made people feel beautiful inside and out—and that I loved hard, lived loud, and left the world better than I found it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: asotodoeshair
- Facebook: angela m. soto
