As part of the Morning Lazziness series about empowering women who encourage and do incredible things with their ideas in society, I had the pleasure of interviewing Gina Rivera.
Gina Rivera’s rise to success began when she founded Phenix Salon Suites, which quickly became the fastest-growing salon suite company in the beauty industry. It remains the only company in its category to be named to Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 500 Franchise List, where it has been featured five times, most recently ranked within the Top 25. As the only female President among this elite group, Rivera has led her company to thrive with over 250 locations nationwide and plans for international expansion.
Her achievements earned her a spotlight on the Emmy Award-winning show UNDERCOVER BOSS, which garnered one of the highest Nielsen ratings ever for an episode. The show’s success catapulted Rivera into the public eye, where she gained a significant following both within and beyond the beauty industry. In June 2015, Rivera launched her inaugural “Colour Your Life” stage show in Las Vegas. The show, a compilation of her personal stories and reflections, is creatively dramatized to highlight the challenges and triumphs she faced along her journey, delivering motivational messages that resonate with anyone pursuing their dreams.
Additionally, Rivera hosts the annual “Gina’s Education Experience” convention in Las Vegas, where she brings together lifestyle professionals from across the industry to share insights and education. Through her dedication and passion, she continues to inspire countless individuals in the beauty world and beyond.
Can you share the story behind your journey as an entrepreneur and what inspired you to start your own business?
My journey in beauty began with my family’s 90-year legacy of hairstylists and salon owners. Growing up in that environment, I developed a deep love for the craft, which inspired me to establish Phenix Salon Suites. My vision was to provide beauty professionals with the opportunity to own and operate their own businesses—something I felt was lacking in the industry. Since its inception, Phenix has expanded to over 400 locations worldwide, yet my passion for beauty and helping others remains unchanged.
In addition to Phenix, I’ve launched other ventures like “Xoxo Gina,” a luxury cosmetic line, and “Colours by Gina,” a professional hair color line. Each brand was created to empower artists and give them the tools to reach their full potential. Whether through innovative salon solutions or premium products, I am dedicated to supporting beauty professionals in realizing their dreams and achieving success.
What are the unique selling points of the brand?
- Phenix Salon Suites: Provides beauty professionals with affordable, independent salon spaces.
- Xoxo Gina: A luxury cosmetic line offering high-quality products for both professionals and consumers.
- Colors by Gina: A professional hair color line that delivers reliable, vibrant results.
- Gina’s Platform: A business app that simplifies scheduling and payments for beauty professionals.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in the business world, and how have you overcome them?
Scaling Phenix Salon Suites was a big challenge, especially in a competitive market. Balancing rapid growth while maintaining a personal connection with each location was tough, but I was committed to keeping our standards high. Appearing on Undercover Boss also presented challenges, but it gave me the chance to stay true to my roots as a hairstylist while expanding into other industries.
What inspiring stories will you share with our readers?
Through my Gina Cares Foundation, I’m dedicated to giving back to beauty professionals battling cancer. Despite my role as a business owner, I continue to stay connected with the industry by practicing hairstyling and sharing my experiences on social media and at events.
