Today we’d like to introduce you to Cecilia Buccola.
Hi Cecilia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My path into hair actually started with social work. I initially attended Central Oregon Community College to pursue that field, but I realized I needed a career with more of a creative outlet. In class, we learned that hairstylists and bartenders are often considered “natural helpers,” and that stuck with me. I had casually considered doing hair in high school, but that connection made me take the idea seriously. It felt like a way to combine creativity with the part of social work that had drawn me in: connecting with people and helping them feel good.
After hair school, I assisted at a salon where I did a lot of blowouts. I grew to love styling, and I kept hearing the same thing from clients: they wished Bend had a place where they could simply come in for a blowout. Seeing that demand firsthand helped me recognize an opportunity.
When the salon closed, I decided it was time to fill that gap, and that led me to create Bend Blowouts. Since then, my business has grown to include color, haircuts, extensions, and smoothing treatments. Styling is still at the heart of it for me. There’s something really rewarding about seeing someone leave feeling confident, and that connection is what I love most about my work.
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?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been learning the business side while also growing as a stylist. At 22, running everything on my own means balancing clients with all the work that happens behind the scenes. I’ve also had to learn to trust myself and my decisions, even when I don’t have everything figured out. I’m still learning, but building Bend Blowouts has helped me become more confident in myself as both a stylist and a business owner.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m the owner and stylist behind Bend Blowouts, where I specialize in blowouts, but also offer color, haircuts, extensions, and smoothing treatments. What sets me apart is my focus on the foundations of great hair. I bring it back to the basics, taking my time to understand what each client wants and thoughtfully shape the finished look so they leave feeling like their best self.
I feel like the art of the blowout sometimes gets overlooked, but it can be both the foundation of a great style and a beautiful finished look on its own. Giving those fundamentals the attention they deserve is a big part of my work. I’m most proud of how much I’ve grown, both as a stylist and as a business owner.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I’m a calculated risk-taker and an overthinker, which means I rarely make major decisions without weighing the potential rewards against the risks. I consider every possible scenario, think through what could go wrong, and make sure I’m prepared to move forward even without certainty. Growing up in an entrepreneurial family, with parents who encouraged me to follow my heart, taught me that taking a thoughtful risk can be more valuable than staying comfortable.
Opening Bend Blowouts was the biggest risk I’ve taken. I had little clientele and no guarantee that Bend had enough demand for a salon focused exclusively on blowouts. I was risking my time, money, and reputation on an idea that had not yet been proven. Still, I recognized an opportunity, trusted my experience, and decided that the greater risk would be never giving the business a chance. Taking that leap allowed me to build something I believed in and turn uncertainty into an opportunity.
Pricing:
- Blowouts range from $65-$95
- Memberships start at $50/month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bendblowouts.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: @bendblowouts
- Facebook: Bend Blowouts
