Pursuit of American dream and daughter's willingness to listen leads to great success
by: Sarina Fazan - acbActionNews
Pia Trujillo's journey for a better life began 14 years ago. The young wife and new mother in Colombia wanted to come to America.
"We wanted to pursue the American dream," Trujillo said.
She turned to the man who since she was a little girl steered her in the right direction: Her dad.
"I'm very thankful that he was able to provide that advice for me, and I'm thankful that I was able to listen," Trujillo said.
Just months away from graduating in graphic design, her father suggested abandoning that dream and focusing on a new one. She didn't speak English, which meant her opportunities would be extremely limited in the U.S.
"He told me that because of the language sometimes you can only do certain things like cleaning houses or babysitting," Trujillo said. "There is nothing wrong with cleaning houses or taking care of babies. But my dad wanted me to learn a skill. So that way we can start working towards a goal."
And her father was ready with a suggestion.
"Wherever you are in the planet women will always be thinking about beauty, so that something you're always going to have a job for. And he's right!” said Trujillo, laughing.
The seed planted, she had no idea how big it would grow.
Ten years later, a salon that started in a small home now has four locations, one as far away as Orlando. It's called Pia Day Spa and she specializes in waxes with customers like Rachel Markowitz coming miles for services.
"They do an excellent job and I'm never disappointed. They are absolute perfectionists," Markowitz said.
And beyond, they also come for satisfaction.
"They are just always so welcoming, almost like a family," Markowitz said.
That’s a sentiment from her customers that brings Trujillo to tears.
"We are here because of them hold on," said Trujillo as she wiped away tears from her eyes and tried to catch her breath.
She knows in her heart a father wanting what's best gave her the best life lesson of all, anything is possible if you follow your dream.
"That's why it makes me emotional. It makes me realize that I've been truly blessed with a great business in a great country, and I have the very best customers," said Trujillo.
Even beyond her tenth year of success, Trujillo is getting ready to start another huge chapter she's very excited about this year. She hopes to franchise her salon.
Trujillo's journey for a better life began 14 years ago, the young wife and new mother in Columbia wanted to come to America.
"We wanted to pursue the American dream," said Trujillo.
She turned to the man, who since she was a little girl, steered her in the right direction, her dad.
"I'm very thankful that he was able to provide that advice for me and I'm thankful that I was able to listen," said Trujillo.
Just months away from graduating in graphic design, her father suggested abandoning that dream and focusing on a new one. She didn't speak English which meant her opportunities would be extremely limited in the US.
"He told me that because of the language sometimes you can only do certain things like cleaning houses or babysitting," said Trujillo. "There is nothing wrong with cleaning houses or taking care of babies. But my dad wanted me to learn a skill. So that way we can start working towards a goal."
And her father, ready with a suggestion.
"Wherever you are in the planet women will always be thinking about beauty. So that something you're always going have a job for. And he's right! laughed Trujillo.
The seed planted, she had no idea how big it would grow. Ten years later, a salon that started in a small home now has for locations, one as far as Orlando. It's called Pia Day Spa and she specializes in waxes with customers like Rachel Markowitz coming miles for services.
"They do an excellent job and I'm never disappointed They are absolute perfectionist," said Markowitz.
And beyond, that satisfaction,
"They are just always so welcoming Almost like a family," said Markowitz.
A sentiment from her customers that brings Trujillo to tears.
"We are here because of them hold on," said Trujillo as she wiped away tears from her eyes and tried to catch her breath.
She knows in her heart a father wanting what's best gave her the best life lesson of all, anything is possible if you follow your dream.
"That's why it makes me emotional. It makes me realize that I've been truly blessed With a great business in a great country, and I have the very best customers," said Trujillo.
Even beyond her tenth year of success, Trujillo is getting ready to start another huge chapter she's very excited about this year she hopes to franchise her salon.
