At Shear Design, beauty, community and unwavering bonds

The Shear Design salon has a long history of serving the Wasco community. With 38 years in business, it is the oldest salon in Wasco. At the helm is owner Maria Martinez, who oversees a dedicated staff of hair stylists, nail technicians and an esthetician.

"We are a full-service salon. Whatever you need, it can be done. We try to give one hundred percent. We bend over backward for our customers."

Her team comprises Maria Rivera, Indira Rodriguez, Katie Romero, Terry Nguyen, Rosa Lucero, Vicky Perez and Donna Acosta.

Maria's journey into the beauty industry was by way of the roses. "I didn't go to high school. I was working in the roses at Jackson and Perkins, and then one day, I came home and told my husband I didn't want to work in the fields anymore."

"He asked me what I wanted to do, and I said I always wanted to do hair, and he said, 'Go for it.' That's where it started. I had to get my GED, so I kept working at the roses from 7 to 3:30 p.m. I would change and put my uniform on in the bathroom and go to beauty school from 4 to 9:30 p.m. Getting my cosmetology license took 2½ years and 1,600 hours to complete, but I got it."

She said her husband and kids kept her motivated. "I wanted to get ahead in life, and that is what I wanted to do. After 38 years, I still enjoy hair. Today, I went to do someone's hair at the funeral home, and the way I see it, they supported me alive, so that's the last thing I could do for them."

In this business, she said it helps to be a people person. "Ask anyone in town, and they will tell you I am."

Katie Romero is a nail technician and has worked at the salon with Maria for eight years. She said, "When I started working here, she was very welcoming and loving. It's amazing to work here. She makes you feel like it's family. And it is not like you are an employee. It makes you feel good to know you'll go in there working with a great group of women."

She said the salon is unique. "It's the atmosphere. All of us girls are close to each other. We do everything together. In some places where you work, you don't feel that connection. Even when not working, we call each other to see how we're doing. Maria would give you the shirt off her back; that's how she is."

Katie added that their customer service is what keeps their clients coming back. "It's great. We always have people returning. I've never heard anything negative about Shear Design since working there."

Maria invests in the team to keep them updated on the latest trends. "We go to conventions and hair and nail shows. We just went to New York last year. All of us girls went, and we had our bonding time. It was a great experience. This year, we are looking forward to going to London."

She added that the salon is a special place, and Maria has much to do with it, "That's one lady you'll love. You won't walk out of there not liking her."

Vicky Perez has also worked with Maria for eight years as a hairstylist specializing in updos for quinceañeras and weddings, doing home calls, and said she has loved the experience.

"You feel at home. Everybody is caring, supports each other, and works together. It's a great environment. I don't see it as a job; I see it as my second home, doing what I like to do, making our clients feel good."

She said it's an honor to work with Maria. "She opened her heart and her family to me. She's a mother to all of us. It's awesome to be in an establishment that has been here for so many years. People respect her. People in the community truly love her."

Shear Design is located at 1801 Highway 46 and is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For appointments, call 661-758 -5933. Walk-ins also are welcomed.