Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Pérez.
Hi Nikki, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey has never been a straight line. It’s been shaped by resilience, reinvention, and an unwavering belief that our past doesn’t have to determine our future.
I grew up in Reading, Pennsylvania, and became pregnant during my senior year of high school. From an early age, I had to grow up quickly. I’ve experienced trauma, loss, financial hardship, single motherhood, and more than one season of rebuilding my life from the ground up. Those experiences weren’t easy, but they taught me resilience, grit, and the determination to create a different future,not just for myself, but for my family.
I’ve always been fascinated by people: what shapes us, what wounds us, and what helps us heal. That curiosity naturally led me into the beauty industry, but I quickly realized I was never just doing hair. I was helping people reconnect with themselves. The conversations in my chair became just as meaningful as the transformations in the mirror.
That passion eventually led me to open Origen, a space built on the belief that beauty is about so much more than appearance. My vision was to create an environment where artistry, wellness, confidence, and genuine human connection could exist under one roof. Today, Origen has grown into a multidisciplinary beauty and wellness space, and building it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
Outside of business, I’ve spent years studying personal growth, psychology, spirituality, energy work, and intuition. Those experiences have profoundly shaped the way I lead my team, care for my clients, and make decisions. They’ve taught me that success isn’t measured only by revenue or growth, but by the impact we have on the people whose lives we touch.
Looking back, every obstacle prepared me for this chapter. My story isn’t one of perfection, it’s one of perseverance, transformation, and continually choosing to rise. My hope is that when someone walks into Origen, they leave feeling more confident, more seen, and more connected to themselves than when they arrived.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not. In many ways, the challenges have been the greatest teachers in my journey.
Like many entrepreneurs, I underestimated how difficult it would be to build a business while still working in it every day. Opening Origen wasn’t just about creating a beautiful salon, it meant learning how to become a leader, manage finances, build systems, hire the right people, navigate conflict, and make difficult decisions that affect not only my family, but the families of my team as well. There have been moments where I’ve questioned myself, experienced burnout, and wondered if I was capable of carrying the vision I had for the business.
Personally, my journey has also been filled with adversity. Becoming a young mother, experiencing trauma and loss, navigating financial hardship, and rebuilding my life more than once gave me a level of resilience that I didn’t realize I was developing at the time. Looking back, those experiences became the foundation of the leader I am today. They taught me empathy, perseverance, and the importance of leading with both strength and compassion.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that growth often requires letting go. Whether that’s old beliefs, relationships, habits, or even parts of your business that no longer align with where you’re headed. Every new level has asked me to become a different version of myself.
Today, I don’t see struggles as setbacks. I see them as invitations to evolve. Every obstacle has made Origen stronger, deepened my purpose, and reminded me that success isn’t about avoiding challenges, it’s about continuing to move forward with integrity, curiosity, and faith, even when the path isn’t clear.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Origen Salon?
Origen was created from the belief that beauty has the power to change far more than the way someone looks. It can change the way they see themselves.
We’re a multidisciplinary beauty and wellness studio offering hair, skin, nails, makeup, and holistic wellness services, such as reiki. We also have a bridal team offering onsite bridal services, and I offer life counseling, advising, and coaching. But what truly sets us apart is the experience we create. Every service is rooted in connection, education, and intention. We want every guest to feel heard, cared for, and genuinely seen. Our goal isn’t simply to provide exceptional results; it’s to help people leave feeling more confident, empowered, and connected to themselves.
At Origen, we’ve built a culture where artistry and wellness coexist. We believe technical excellence is essential, but so is emotional intelligence. Our team is committed to continuous education, personalized experiences, and creating an environment where clients feel safe to express themselves without judgment. We understand that for many people, a salon visit is about much more than beauty; it’s a place to reset, reflect, and invest in themselves.
Brand wise, what I’m most proud of is the culture we’ve created. Every decision we make is guided by our core values of authenticity, growth, compassion, integrity, and community. I want our team to feel inspired to build meaningful careers, and I want every client who walks through our doors to feel like they belong.
As we continue to grow, my vision extends beyond the salon. I hope Origen becomes a brand that’s known not only for exceptional beauty services, but for helping people reconnect with their confidence, embrace who they are, and recognize their own potential. If someone leaves feeling more like themselves than when they arrived, then we’ve accomplished exactly what we set out to do.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was definitely a wild child and a free spirit. I had a huge imagination and could turn just about anything into a stage. I’d stand on the coffee table with a hairbrush as my microphone, singing at the top of my lungs as if I were performing for a sold-out crowd. In my mind, I was already living my dreams.
I was also a complete tomboy. I loved being outside, getting dirty, climbing trees, riding bikes, and roughhousing with the neighborhood kids. Comfort always won over fashion, and I had endless energy and curiosity.
I’ve always had a soft spot for animals. I wanted to rescue every stray dog or cat I came across and dreamed of giving them all a home. Looking back, I think that instinct to care for and protect others has always been part of who I am.
Even as a child, I believed deeply in both God and the possibility of magic. I never saw them as opposing ideas. I believed there was something bigger than us, something beautiful and mysterious woven into life. Some of my favorite memories are sitting by my bedroom window at night, looking up at the stars, singing, making wishes, and dreaming about the life I hoped to have someday. More than anything, I wished for the chance to love, to be loved, to be appreciated, and to find my own version of a fairytale ending.
When I look back now, I realize that little girl never really left. She’s still the dreamer, the creator, the believer, and the person who sees possibility where others might not. The only difference is that now I’m building those dreams in real life through my family, my business, and the people I’m fortunate enough to serve.
Pricing:
- Bridal services Consultation only we have a sliding scale for pricing
- Balayage starting $175 per hour
- Woman’s cuts starting at $60 based on levels
- Men’s and non binary cuts starting at $30
- Color variation by specific needs base 100 and up (cut and blow out not included)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Origensalon.com
- Instagram: https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/origensalon/&sa=U&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwjCzOq-iLOVAxVQKFkFHWTzBesQFnoECF0QAQ&usg=AOvVaw3ov_QWs4hYEF8kwohd9NA1
- Facebook: https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/OrigenHairStudio/&sa=U&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwjCzOq-iLOVAxVQKFkFHWTzBesQFnoECF8QAQ&usg=AOvVaw13IqdWhE8LDYj1H5WM7QZb
