Carla Rivas is a leader. That’s one thing that’s clear from the outset. She’s our First Trailblazer, and she’s a perfect example of what a trailblazer is and how to be one. 

Carla didn’t set out to be a trailblazer, in fact, most leaders don’t. The daughter of immigrants from El Salvador, she knows about tenacity and adapting. There’s a culture of can-do that’s necessary to successfully pick up from one country and move to another.

The birth of a hair movement

With a history of more than a decade as a top hairstylist, Carla saw some things wrong in the industry. Rather than sitting back and stewing over the problems, she pulled out her can-do attitude and teamed up with others to make a difference. This is what led to the birth of Hair La Vie.

The beauty industry had some flaws, a major one was the number of unhealthy fillers that are poured into popular beauty and hair care products. As a countermovement, Hair La Vie set about creating naturally effective products that never use cheap fillers or artificial ingredients. The company leads the way in quality with a focus on natural beauty.

Similarly, disappointed with the way women were being treated in the business world and the constant barrage of body shaming advertising, Carla and her friends set about creating a company that did just the opposite. They supported women and embraced their authentic spirit and the bodies they live in. 

Battling cancer 

“Bouncing back from a traumatic experience like battling (and overcoming) cancer, doesn’t take a month, or a year, or even a few years–it takes a lifetime. My health, including the health of my hair, went to hell and back.” - Carla Rivas

Carla’s above statement comes from the Hair La View website, and it does a perfect job of summing up how a trailblazer thinks and is powered by their can-do attitude. 

There’s no question about whether she would beat cervical cancer or not, and there’s an inherent sense of self-love and acceptance that puts recovery as a priority in her new life. Accepting that you’ve got to deal with what life gives you is huge. Realizing that it will be a part of you for the rest of life and accepting that is monumental.

Cancer and hair

Cancer treatments and hair loss are almost always tied together. The first priority is on your health and surviving. The next step is trying to recover, which includes regrowing hair. 

Luckily for Carla, her background in hair and her belief in the power of using natural products helped her create a personalized hair care routine and stick with it. 

While Carla’s journey is personal and customized, she has a 3-step plan that is the gold standard for all people looking to restore natural hair growth.

Change the products you use. Throw out all products that have fillers and turn your attention to natural ingredients that support scalp and follicle health.

Customize your hair routine. Your hair is different than the person sitting next to you, so your hair routine needs to be different. Learn what works for you and stick with it. This is not an overnight fix. You might not even have a dramatic change in a month or two, but eventually, you’ll see new hair growth.

Nutrients for hair repair. Nutrients are essential for building healthy follicles and a fertile scalp. Taking a pill might not be your favorite way of getting all the nutrition your hair needs, but Clinical Formula Hair Vitamins can be a very efficient way to get the nutrition you need. 

On being a trailblazer

There’s one thing all trailblazers have in common, they’re willing to move ahead and make a change. These people are the leaders in our society, powered by their own drive and belief in themselves. It’s can-do without apology or pause.

Acting with your best intentions and living your best life is essential when diving into a new realm and leading the way for others to follow. Unwavering commitment and faith are what creates a trailblazer, not “likes” or fleeting fame.

Final thoughts

Carla Rivas didn’t set out to become a trailblazer or revolutionize the hair industry. She simply saw some things that she didn’t like and decided to do something about it. With the right support and determination, she made a difference.

She’ll be the first to admit that battling cervical cancer is a traumatic experience, and recovery is a process. Using her commitment to success as fuel, Carla survived and turned her journey into a learning experience that can help others. Leading the way by example.