She Built It Celebrates Silvia Couso-Celis’s Leap

“Surround yourself with intelligent people. People who are willing to share their knowledge and will protect your interest to get you where you want to be."

Silvia Couso-Celis began her career in Miami as a producer for Telemundo Network. After 21 years, Silvia decided to stretch her entrepreneurial skills. She did not plan to live on the west coast but when her husband accepted a position in Los Angeles to host the pre-game, half-time, and post-game shows for the Lakers on Time Warner Deportes, her family moved west. Silvia loved producing and the creativity that came with it. After moving to Los Angeles, she missed her career and the creative motivation that used to surround her. She was walking at the beach one morning with a friend who mentioned Silvia should open a blow dry bar. Silvia loved the art of making people beautiful when she was producing, she never thought about it becoming her business. Her friend mentioned that there was a relatively new blow dry bar, in Miami, that was doing fantastic. “I thought it was a great idea. I started looking for a location in Redondo Beach where I live, and found a great one with plenty of parking and, it seemed, a prime location. I called the leasing agent and they were not interested because I did not have styling experience or a website.”

Silvia kept the idea of a blow dry bar in her mind and months later she received a prescient call. “I received a call letting me know that the same “ever so fabulous” blow dry bar in Miami that my girlfriend had talked to me about, was now up for sale. It was serendipity! I jumped at the opportunity…but nothing good comes easy.” Silvia took the call as a sign - encouraging her to move forward. Although it was her first time purchasing a brick and mortar business and the process was not particularly easy, she persevered. “The biggest challenge was the negotiation process, but I managed to keep focused on the fact that it was purely business.”

Silvia purchased the business and is currently the owner of Blow-n-Dry Lounge in Miami. She lives in Los Angeles and from her years living in Miami she has a community of friends who support her. “The woman I have running the salon is someone with great experience; she’s been working in management for over 25 years, in retail, and in the medical field. She has been my best friend since we were 13 years old and she is on this journey with me because we know that the sky is the limit. This is really just the beginning.”

“The best advice I can give someone about to take a leap is to surround yourself with people who are smarter than you, and who are going to protect your interests and want to see you thrive, and know that they will thrive with you.”

She Built It celebrates Silvia’s success. Cheers to you, Silvia Couso-Celis.