Raquel Gonzalez was once torn between becoming an accountant and pursuing a career in hairdressing. More than two decades later, the founder of The Blueprint Collective has built a career that has taken her around the world, and she's now focused on creating opportunities for the next generation of Bermudian hairstylists.

“Growing up, I was often told that hairdressing wasn't a career that could provide a good living,” she recalls.

Her father offered a practical compromise: complete her hairdressing qualifications first, and if the career wasn't right for her, he would support her through university to study accounting.

“Well, I graduated as valedictorian of my hairdressing school, and I never looked back!”

Twenty-two years later, Ms Gonzalez's passion for the industry remains as strong as ever. But her journey hasn't been without challenges.

Early experiences working as a commission-based stylist, where she sometimes felt her contributions went unrecognised, helped shape her approach to business ownership.

“Those experiences stayed with me and eventually shaped the type of employer and business owner I wanted to become.”

Opening her first salon was another leap of faith.

“I didn't have a detailed business plan or someone showing me the ropes. I simply took a chance on myself, worked incredibly hard, and figured things out along the way.”

Today, she's preparing for another significant milestone: relocating and expanding her business into The Blueprint Collective.

What began with four employees is growing into a business with the capacity to employ 14 people, creating additional career opportunities within Bermuda's beauty industry.

For Ms Gonzalez, the expansion represents more than business growth. It's an opportunity to create the supportive professional environment she wishes she'd experienced earlier in her career.

“I want my team to experience the appreciation, opportunities and professional growth that I sometimes felt were missing earlier in my own career.”

Her philosophy extends to the clients who sit in her chair.

“I believe a great hairstyle starts with a great consultation. I ask a lot of questions because I genuinely want to understand each client's lifestyle, preferences, expectations and what they hope to achieve.”

Over the years, she's watched hair trends move away from bold colours, chunky highlights and highly structured styles towards softer, more natural looks.

Today, clients are requesting seamless colour blending, dimensional highlights and hairstyles that fit comfortably into their everyday lives.

Social media has also transformed the industry, giving clients unprecedented access to inspiration, although Ms Gonzalez says it can sometimes create unrealistic expectations.

“With technology and AI tools like ChatGPT, clients can now upload a photograph of themselves and generate an image of virtually any hairstyle or colour they can imagine.”

However, she explains that achieving those looks depends on factors including hair condition, texture, previous colour treatments and maintenance requirements.

Beyond styling, she's particularly attentive to clients experiencing thinning hair, hair loss and changes in texture as they age, encouraging them to seek medical advice when necessary.

Her own career has included opportunities she never imagined, including travelling internationally to style hair. But her greatest ambitions now centre on the future of the industry at home.

“Too often, talented young people struggle to get their foot in the door because they lack experience, yet they can't gain that experience without someone willing to give them an opportunity.”

Through The Blueprint Collective, she hopes to prioritise mentorship, continuing education and professional development while creating a welcoming environment for both staff and clients.

“For me, success isn't simply about how big my business becomes. It's about how many people I can help grow along the way.”