Tricia Rivas is the founder of Trixies Salon & Spa in Des Moines. She is also the founder of the nonprofit Dream Catchers Foundation Inc., which provides free salon services to those that are terminally and chronically ill–as well as their caregivers–in the Des Moines area. Learn about Tricia Rivas…
Hometown: Des Moines
First job: Detassling corn…and it was hard work but I loved every minute of it. It set the tone for my work ethic.
Favorite ways to spend your free time in IA: I love camping with family and friends at Iowa campgrounds and shopping local boutiques in Valley Junction and the East Village. I have also been known to jump in the car and drive across Iowa to shop in rural areas and support the small businesses in their community. My husband and I also love to try out new restaurants.
Your biggest accomplishment and why: Trixies Salon has been around for 17 years. I am proud of the numerous partnerships we have formed over the years, but honestly, I am most proud of our newest partnership with WesleyLife Retirement & Assisted Living Facilities. We have the honor of providing salon and spa services in their newly renovated salons. The fact that we get to provide these services to someone’s mom, dad, grandparents and siblings is amazing to us. We hope to leave a legacy to remember with this partnership.
The biggest obstacle you overcame: Believing in myself to open Trixies. Believing that I had the knowledge and skills to be a successful small business owner and servant leader. I thank God every day that I took the leap of faith.
Someone who inspires you and why: My parents. I know that sounds cliche to some, but they are my heroes and inspire me daily. My parents were 14 and 16 when they had me. They had to go to MO to get married because it was illegal in the state of Iowa. My parents celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary this February. They have been through a lot over the years, but their love and dedication to family are like no other.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: Know YOUR why? Why did you want to get into the beauty industry? You will have hard days, and in those moments you will need to remember your why. The days as a hairstylist can be long and draining, it can take a toll on you physically and mentally. COVID hasn’t been the kindest to the service industry – making many leave the industry. Don’t leave; you just have to remember your why.
Favorite quote: “Live the life you have imagined.”
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: Truly nothing! I am an open book.
What makes someone fabulous: How you treat and how you make someone feel. If someone leaves someone’s presence feeling happier, calm and at peace, that person in my book is fabulous and I want to relish in their presence and their energy. We’re so lucky to have some of the most fabulous humans in Des Moines.