Today we’d like to introduce you to Lena Piccininni.
Hi Lena, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began my career in the beauty industry while still in high school, attending cosmetology school and working in my first salon at 17. During that time, my father became very ill and passed away, leaving my brother and me to take on full responsibility at a young age.
As a new stylist, I knew I needed to step up and grow quickly. I was given the opportunity to work in a barbershop and take over a full clientele, despite having no prior barbering experience. That challenge pushed me to invest heavily in education, which led me to train under industry educator Eric Roa and eventually educate alongside his team both nationally and internationally.
After several years of educating, I pursued my goal of launching my own haircare line. I later returned to the salon to reconnect with women’s hair, and today I bring all of my experience together in my own studio—combining barbering, cosmetology, education, and product development.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely was not a smooth road, Being taken seriously as a female in a male dominated industry was extremely hard, in the barbershop and also educating.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I do both mens and women’s hair. I specialize in haircutting. I would say I’m known for my mens cuts. I’m proud that I didn’t give up with barbering. A lot of people didn’t take me serious because I was a woman working in a barbershop so I knew I had to prove myself.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
When I started barbering that’s when Instagram just became a thing, it really helped me get my work out there and market myself. Now with so many social media platforms it does make it a little easier to search and find mentors in your industry. I found my mentor through Instagram.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mananbeauty.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lenapiccininni/
