PM: NICOLE WHERE DID YOUR LOVE FOR HAIR BEGIN?
NP: My name is Nicole Perez, owner of Origen Salon in West Reading, PA. I was born and raised in Reading, my passion for hair began at 14, braiding friends’ hair on the porch. It quickly turned into a side hustle. In my senior year of high school, I became pregnant. Determined to secure a future for my child, I started college right after graduation. When I was waitlisted for the nursing program, I enrolled in beauty school to support myself through college. During that time, I escaped a toxic and physically abusive relationship with the man who fathered my son.
PM: NOW WITH A DEGREE & TWO CHILDREN, WHAT WAS NEXT?
NP: As a 19-year-old single mom living in Glenside, I doubted hair could be a viable career, so I pursued a business degree. By 2008, I had graduated and worked part-time in a salon while also employed as a surgical Mohs technician. After seven years and another child, I moved out of the projects and married my daughter’s father, a barber. Watching him do what he loved inspired me to follow my passion.
PM: HOW DO YOU BECOME THE SOLE OWNER OF ORIGEN SALON?
PM: Leaving my secure job, I joined Cinergi, where I built a clientele and combined my business and medical knowledge. When Lisa bought the salon, her vision inspired me further. Unexpectedly, my ex-husband and I were offered a barbershop on Penn Ave. We leaped, but COVID-19 and personal losses strained our relationship. After my father’s passing, we divorced, and I became the sole owner of Origen. After my divorce and my dad’s death, I am glad I focused on healing and growing and went through what I call an awakening, which gifted me strength and trust in the universe. I learned to truly love myself because, before this, I did not.
PM: TELL US ABOUT DIVINE INTERVENTION
NP: Today the man beside me is Ray, my life partner. We met as teenagers, and dated for a short period, but remained best friends as we felt too young for something so serious. During the time we were dating, he ended up moving next door to my childhood home. Our bedrooms were side by side, sharing a wall. We would spend late nights outside talking and building our friendship. We both then became parents to other people, and our friendship remained but shifted, keeping in touch only from time to time over the years. After almost 20 years of marriage with other people, & both of our fathers passing away during and post-COVID, we were both divorced. We were then reunited like a miracle. The universe brought us together again, becoming best friends once more. We spent months getting to know each other again and then decided to unite our lives.
PM: YOU OUTGREW YOUR COMMERCIAL SPACE – NOW WHAT?
NP: Outgrowing your space can only mean growth, correct? Well, we outgrew our space and recently moved. My new life partner also owned a business that he decided to separate from, and when the opportunity came to open the new location, he wanted to help in every way he could. He painted, knocked down a few walls, and we spent several nights until 2-3 a.m. trying to get everything done in time. He helped design and build a 3D model of the salon so I could see my vision before moving forward. We did everything together with the help of our kids, some family, and a few others from the salon. Ray has contributed just as much, if not more, of his time to Origen’s revamp than anyone, allowing us to continue operating at the original location during the renovations.
After months of planning and saving, a year and a half of building a team of healing souls, and after months of renovations, we relaunched Origen with a new logo, sign, and website. Origen and its hive of healing souls are now ready to flourish with the community. Our new location is 430 Penn Ave, West Reading, PA 19611. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Rosa J. Parra
Founder & Editor
Palo Magazine
Photo credits to Full Frame Photography and Anthony Matz Photography
(In this same edition see other grand opening photos in a two-page spread).
