Stylist Credits God for 20 Years of Small Business Success

More than two decades after asking for a sign from God, one local business owner is celebrating her 20th anniversary in Ravenswood.

Cecilia Torres, the owner of Beauty Attraction at 4901 N. Damen Ave., has been styling local residents' hair for the last 20 years.

But how she got her business is nothing short of a miracle, she said.

In November 1992, Torres went to Mexico on a retreat and there, asked God for a sign. She was working in a hair salon at the time and wanted to make a change in the next 6 months.

Torres said she was drawn to Damen Avenue and after answering a classified ad, opened her salon in May 1993—exactly 6 months after the trip.

“It was basically a miracle,” she said. “It’s been wonderful seeing how people walk in looking shaggy and seeing how they change." 

But the last 20 years haven’t been without their struggles. Torres also owned a second salon in Rogers Park, which she had to close in 2011.

When the economy got tough, she had to choose between the two locations and stuck with Ravenswood because of the good neighborhood. 

“I like the area and it’s changing a lot,” she said. “We’ve seen a new group of customers—it used to be 80 percent Hispanic and now we’re seeing a lot more Americans.” 

Offering haircuts, body massages and nail services, Torres said she prides herself on easy, fast services. Customers don’t have to make appointments and if there’s a wait, they can browse the small jewelry selection in the salon.