GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — September 15 kicks off National Hispanic Heritage Month and throughout the month on NBC 26 we’re celebrating the culture and positive contribution the Hispanic community has on Northeast Wisconsin.
As we kick off the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month we’re introducing you to a Green Bay business owner who is leading the way.
Meet Shirley Lamas.
“I specialize in hair and makeup. Everything about highlights, color, haircuts, and I do a lot of weddings on the weekend,” Lamas said.
She’s a local hair salon owner whose been following her passion full time behind the chair.
Below are a few examples of her work:
In 2017 with over a decade of experience she decided to finally open her own hair salon, Lady Bella.
“Actually never thought about owning my business. Everything started because I became a mother,” Lamas said.
It was when she became a mother her dreams somewhat changed.
“This is a very tough business, if you want to make money you have to be here all the time, you have to be available for your clients, “ Lamas said.
The time she spent working got to be too much and she had less time for her children.
“Either I had to quit doing hair or stay home with my kids,” Lamas said.
That was the turning point when she decided to open her own hair salon.
Opening her own business allowed her to still follow her passion as a hairstylist.
As her own boss she now had the flexibility to create her own schedule and make more time for her children.
As a mother of four she says she wants to be the best possible role model for her little ones.
Lamas says this means a lot as her own parents sacrificed so much for her growing up.
“I’m originally from Mexico. I was born in Zapopa, Jalisco and my parents are from Zacatecas and Jalisco,” Lamas said.
Her parents immigrated with her from Mexico to Green Bay when she was just eight years old.
“I was very small to understand why I was coming here but now that I am old I understand my parents and now that I have kids I understand why my parents did what they did,” Lamas said.
She learned a new language, immersed herself in the culture and now she’s living the American dream.
“With me being now a business owner I just want to make my parents proud. I’m here because of them and I’m just very excited that they can see me and feel like they accomplished something,” Lamas said.
And as far as her business, she says her clientele at Lady Bella has been rapidly growing through word of mouth.
While she serves a wide range of demographics, she says she feels incredibly honored to also serve her Hispanic community.
“They either come because they see my work or they know I speak Spanish and can help them,” Lamas said.
Shirley’s husband, Uzziel Martinez says he is beyond proud to see her wife be successful, both as a business owner and a mother.
“I think what has been keeping the family together is her. I feel proud of what she has been teaching our kids. I think she’s a good role model,” Martinez said.
And as for the best part of her job? Shirley says its a rewarding feeling to to know that at the end of the day she made someone look and feel their best.
Now stay tuned because for the next few weeks right here on NBC 26 we’ll be featuring stories like this one in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Lady Bella hair salonis located at 1620 Lime Kiln Rd B, Green Bay, WI 54311.
Here are more examples of recent work done by Lamas:
