Determination, a booklet of policy and procedures, and a dedicated, loyal staff, that is her recipe for victory
By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez,
As originally published by Texas Border Business newsprint edition September 2016.
Lucinda S. Leyva is a beautiful, poised and extraordinary businesswoman with ownership of five cosmetology schools and real estate properties throughout the State of Texas. She has led her cosmetology vocational schools to success beyond her wildest dreams. The corporation known as Magic Valley Beauty College, Inc., DBA University of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (UCAS) is celebrating its 40th Anniversary, and even though it is easy to say, for Lucinda, it has been quite a journey.
It was 1976, she and her late husband, Sergio Shearer, bought their first cosmetology school in San Juan, Texas, which had been established in the 50’s. Sergio’s grandmother had worked in the industry since the depression with her own a hair salon, which according to his mother, was a very profitable business. His mother also owned a hair salon in Weslaco for more than 30 years. Sergio was already an experienced professional hairstylist in McAllen with a clientele from as far as Dallas, Texas.
When it got to the point that Sergio was doing very well in business, he said, “You have to help me run the school. I can no longer do it by myself.” Lucinda came into the business in 1980; the school was moved to North 10th Street in McAllen.
Lucinda’s professional knowledge was in another field. She had a degree in education from Pan American University, now UTRGV, with a bilingual certification, teaching kindergarten and elementary grades.
While all of this was taking place, she says, “I had three children: Andrea Lee, Michael Shearer, and Kara K. Shearer, who passed away in 1994.”
Lucinda told Texas Border Business, “I didn’t know I had it in me. It seems like you have a seed inside of you, once you’ve tapped into it, the knowledge that you have learned and pushed yourself to the limit to get, it just blossomed out year after year.”
During the first years, Lucinda worked diligently in every aspect of the business. However, she soon realized it was imperative that she learn more. Even though she had little or no knowledge of the art of hairstyling, she knew the art of teaching and decided to learn the trade of cosmetology. Lucinda then earned an education in cosmetology with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) and a teaching certificate for cosmetology, as well. Now prepared with the tools of the trade, her next task was to train personnel. That’s another thing that can be easily said, but it is a lot harder to accomplish.
Forty years later, the hard work she invested into the business has blossomed to a total of five cosmetology schools throughout the State of Texas. The key personnel that she trained years ago, now help to manage one of the oldest and most respected universities in cosmetology vocational education in the Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio, Texas.
There were times during the course of cosmetology classes, some people just didn’t make it. Others seemed to drop out of school after giving up, but some endured to become high-ranking executives at a level that Lucinda likes and admires. Lorena Salinas, who is now a Corporate Executive Director at UCAS, came right out of high school almost three decades ago. Mrs. Salinas was one of the high school students that I taught. She was just a shy little girl who I thought, ‘This girl’s not going to make it’, but she blossomed into one of the best corporate school directors today working along with the rest of the corporate officers at UCAS.”
Lucinda along with her son, Michael Shearer, who is also a corporate officer, have been running and managing the schools.
UCAS is well known in the market and recognized highly in the cosmetology world of who’s who. In the 1990s, UCAS received one of the most valuable awards by the industry; it was named ‘Outstanding School of Texas.’ The award is given by Pivot Point® International, a worldwide company that operates in six continents and fostered over one million individuals.
The significance of the award is that it recognizes the responsibility to evolve hair and beauty education, a continued commitment to creating rich educational experiences, and developing best-in-class educational content. That is in fact, an award that profoundly distinguishes schools in the field of cosmetology.
Lucinda currently operates from the corporate offices and school facilities in McAllen, La Joya, and Harlingen. In San Antonio, she has two schools and her son, Michael Shearer who is the Chief Executive Officer has taken over the managing of those corporate officers and the school campuses. “He’s doing very well utilizing very good management skills,” she stated proudly.
Lucinda’s goals of expansion have always been to go into Brownsville but for some reason or other she ended up opening in Harlingen. She said, “Another opportunity came up in La Joya and then another in San Antonio, so the next campus will be in Brownsville, Texas to complete my dream to expand in the Rio Grande Valley.” She continued, “I’ve got real estate people calling my son and me to go see different locations in Brownsville to open up a school. So we will get there eventually, with my son’s assistance, we can do it.!”
Currently, they are not expanding because the school in San Antonio, previously located at 2423 Jamar is being moved to a better location. “We don’t want to extend ourselves too much,” she said.
Lucinda has built a strong corporate administrative personnel structure; they have supervisory responsibilities for all the campuses. The Corporate Officers are: Lucinda S. Leyva, President/ Owner; Michael Shearer, Chief Executive Officer; Lorena Salinas, Corporate Executive Director; Maria Sierra, Corporate Financial Aid Director; Diana Ramirez, Corporate Student Salon Director; Gisela Alaniz, Corporate Director of Education; and Olivia Soto, Corporate Finance Director.
UCAS is a fully accredited school of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences. “We’ve been accredited for just about as long as we’ve been in business, and so we have to meet the required placement, pass and retention rates every year.” She continued, “Also, we’re approved by TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations) who regulates the cosmetology school industry in the State of Texas.”
She added that there are a lot of regulations, because you have to be approved first by the State of Texas, and then by the accrediting commission. Also, the schools go through audits by the Department of Education, because the school offers financial aid to students who qualify. “We are highly regulated; it keeps us on our toes,” she stated.
What has been the toughest challenge in your professional career? “Oh, the most difficult challenges – we have had a lot of tough challenges… learning all the regulations. Back then, with no computers; we had to do so much reading and underlining.” She continued, “Another tough challenge is coming into the business with no experience, and being thrown in there, and then managing people and students.” But, one thing that she created that has helped her to organize her business was a policy and procedures booklet that helps to navigate through the toughest challenges. She admits that business in general, is a complicated matter.
Lucinda comes from humble beginnings; she was born and raised in Edcouch, Texas. After high school graduation, she attended Pan American University, at which time she married, and worked as a secretary. She continued her studies during night school to obtain her degree.
She remembers her mother as her mentor. “My mom was a very tough woman, and she was the most loving person; in so many ways, she taught me a lot.” She said, “My parents owned a grocery store by the name of Miguel Leyva Grocery Store in Edcouch for years, and yes my mother had us helping at the register, cleaning, and bagging groceries; our mother was always working… always.”
Lucinda was the third of four girls. When she was born, her parents were expecting a boy and consequently had not picked out a girl’s name. She stated that a ‘Tia’ (aunt) suggested they call her like her mother, Lucinda. “So that’s how I got named.”
Many years have gone by since then; now she is a businesswoman who does not let her ideas fail. Her determination in business makes it impossible for her to give up. She admits, “A lot of times, we have wanted to give up on the Harlingen School.” Everyone would tell me, “Come on, we’re not getting any students,” or, we’re not going to make it.” Today, UCAS Harlingen is also a success story and standing strong.
She pointed out that she never in her life thought about ending up so involved in a business. “I always figured I was just going to be teaching all my life.” She said, “It’s a really good profession, but I had a detour in my life that was hard, and I have been rewarded through hard work and determination.”
Lucinda’s advice is that you have to work hard to receive the rewards later. “That’s what I tell my students, work hard, attend school every day, no excuses, just get through it. If you drop out, what’s going to happen to you in a year? You will be in the same situation, so just finish what you started and I guarantee, you won’t regret it”.
The UCAS school system has developed a way to help students to keep them from dropping out. She indicated this is important because many have built up their careers and even opened up their own business. For Lucinda, it’s very rewarding to see, “Students’ lives changed for the better, I like that.”
TBB asked her, can you share something funny in your life? “One time I was hurrying, and I noticed that I was wearing different shoes, and had been all day; we were all laughing. It happened to Mrs. Salinas too about a year later, because when you’re on a roll, anything can happen,” she said.
Do you have any hobbies? “I’m very family oriented, and I enjoy going out to dinner with my family. My favorite activity is that I love to swim and exercise and dance.”
How would you like to be remembered? “As a loving and generous person; someone that has helped a lot of people in the industry, which has changed their lives and also as a good mother.
I also love life itself, work hard and live hard.”
UCAS has been involved in many civic activities. They have worked on projects with the American Cancer Society and Mujeres Unidas, to name a few. They believe in giving back to the community.
Texas Border Business found Lucinda Leyva to be a very independent, loving person who is generous with her family and people. She loves the Lord and credits Him with pulling her through the challenges in her life. “You might not believe it, but I’m a very simple person. Coming from a small town, I want to share my story to Hispanic females in the Rio Grande Valley and throughout Texas, and that anything is possible if you work hard. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t make it just because you are Hispanic. Keep focused on the future for what you want to accomplish and all things are possible through Jesus Christ.”
Do you have a favorite quote? “ ‘Don’t ask, just do it,’ like my mother used to tell me. She invented the slogan way before it came out. That’s how I get things done, which has carried me through life, by not giving up.” She finalized, “The Lord has carried me through the hard and tough times, for which I am very grateful! TBB
