Even as a little girl, Martha Mendez dreamed of cutting and
styling hair. Nearly a decade ago her dream became a reality.
Even as a little girl, Martha Mendez dreamed of cutting and styling hair. Nearly a decade ago her dream became a reality.
Owning her own shop was beyond anything Mendez imagined, yet today, M and M Haircut Salon is the result of Mendez’s hard work and dedication.
“When I was a little girl I wanted to cut hair,” she said. “But in Mexico we didn’t have the money to send me to school to learn how to cut hair. When I was 16 I got married. At 17 my first son was born. Now I have four children – three boys and one girl. Always, when I went to a shop to have my hair cut I thought about going to school to learn to cut hair. I thought that maybe when my children were grown up I would go to school and learn.”
In the meantime, Mendez and her husband had moved their family to Hollister. She worked at the cannery until it closed.
“When the cannery closed I needed to find work,” Mendez said. “One day I looked at my youngest son and realized that my children were growing up. I went to my husband and told him now was the time for me to go to school and learn to cut hair. He told me to go to school, so I went.”
Mendez spent a year in cosmetology school in Salinas. There she not only learned how to cut hair in a variety of styles, but other skills as well.
“We learned everything,” Mendez said. “We learned how to do haircuts, give perms, coloring, highlighting, how to do nails, everything. Before, I used to cut hair for my family and friends. I’ve always liked cutting hair.”
Mendez has been a professional hair stylist for the past seven years, part of which she spent at Haircut 5. She’s seen style changes during her years as a stylist.
“Now girls with long hair want long layers with wispy layers in the front,” Mendez said. “Women with short hair like it spiky in the back. Men today have many different haircuts to choose from. We also do beard trims and mustache trims.
“When someone comes in and don’t know what they want, we’ll help them figure it out. Also people can describe how they want their hair and I’ll cut it the way they want. We have pictures they can look through, too.”
Mendez knows how important it is for her customers to look their best no matter what the occasion, yet she’s ready to go the extra mile for special occasions. Mendez is happy to do hair for special events such as proms, quinceaneras, weddings and first communions.
“I enjoy working with people of all ages,” she said. “The whole family is welcome to come here for their hair.”
M & M is open seven days a week to accommodate those whose jobs keep them from making weekday appointments.
Mendez is joined by fellow stylists Maria and Liliana. And when people ask what M & M Haircut Salon stands for, Mendez smiles.
“People think that M & M means Martha and somebody else,” she said. “But it stands for me, Martha Mendez.”
M & M Haircut Salon is located at 201 McCray St. Suite B, in the Albertson’s shopping center. Open Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information or to make an appointment, call 630-0410.
