– Marina, please tell us your story in America.
I came to America in 2013. Being a US citizen for many years, my husband brought me three month pregnant to the beautiful state of Maine, and there we safely waited for the birth of our child.
– Was Austin your choice, or was it a coincidence?
When the kids were four, we moved to Texas. My husband Alexander researched for a long time where is the best place to live. Where are the best schools, prices for houses, and, of course, the climate? So first, we moved to Dallas, where we lived for two difficult years. I had to work for Uber and Lyft while the kids were at school. We worked together with my husband in two cars, one of which was rented. At first, it was very hard for me; I parked anywhere and sobbed and shook with fear. Traffic in Texas is incomparable – breakneck speed! And when you are just starting to drive, the horror covers you completely. Over time, I became a pro, but I always wanted to return to my favorite profession.
– What do you like most about Austin?
We loved Austin! It looked much more comfortable than Dallas. These winding roads, mountains, rivers, and lakes. Everything is lovely and warm. The reason for moving to Austin from Dallas was an invitation to work at Dessange Paris Austin. This is a big company with luxury salons all over the world. I have worked for this company for over 20 years. But I encountered a completely different philosophy in Austin than Dessange salons profess. So after a month of incomprehensible activity, I quit, but we did not leave Austin – we already fell in love with this city. I got a job at Ulta Beauty and joined an absolutely gorgeous team.
– Tell us about your profession and work.
I was lucky because I knew from childhood what I wanted to be. And gradually, step by step, I moved toward my goal. Fate destined me to get into Dessange on Lesnaya Street in Moscow. I met my friends and colleagues, with whom I have continued communicating over the years. Within the walls of this salon, I went from stylist to manager, and at some point, I was offered to head a new salon on the Garden Ring as an art director. Those were the golden years of my life and career. My friends and I visited Paris for the annual Dessange show and workshops. We traveled a lot while studying, joked, and laughed. We saw many interesting places in Europe.
– What difficulties did you have to face in America?
Moving to another country is stressful. You do not know the language, orders, and laws; you make mistakes at every step. There were many difficulties, but I am grateful to every person who appeared in my life. My husband was swindled by his former friend and co-owner of a large publishing company, and we were left without any income with 2-year-old children. There were moments when my husband asked me what to buy – milk or eggs. It was hard, and I don’t want to remember those times, but God helped us, introducing us to wonderful people who helped us.
– Please tell us about your family.
I was born into a family of ordinary workers. My dad was a truck driver, and my mom was a cook. Childhood was like all Soviet children. In the summer – to the village to the grandparents. Freedom, fields, forests, a river.
Now our family is me, my husband, and twin boys, nine years old. My mother once saw her grandchildren when we invited her to the States. My father did not see them at all – he died.
– What do you do outside of work? What are your interests and hobbies?
I love nature very much. I love fishing and mushroom hunting, but I don’t have enough time for fishing, and I don’t see mushrooms near Austin. So we traveled a little with the children – to San Antonio, Mexico, and Bermuda.
– What else would you like to tell about yourself?
I finally opened my studio. My husband helped me. We have the most modern equipment in terms of coloring. We are a team, and I believe in our bright future. We feel the strength and ability to develop our business and pass it on to our children if they want to.
Contact information:
Mobile 618-816-6319
Business 512-889-7775
https://marinabelyakovhair.glossgenius.com/
2901 S Capital of Texas
Hwy Sola Studios #5
Austin, TX 78764