INSIDE OUT: Carlo Novoa www.novoasalon.com

Carlo Novoa www.novoasalon.com About Carlo Novoa When he's not in front of the camera his stage is the floor of his hair salon and his audience is anyone who can see or hear him. His salon station is closest to the front door, which is bookended by floor to ceiling bay windows on a busy Los Angeles street. Even if you never stepped foot into his salon, his performance is inescapable...even as a passerby. In fact, it's not uncommon for strangers to wave hello or hold up signs of applause as they drive by from day to day. Carlo started his career as a stylist over 20 years ago. He enrolled in cosmetology as a teenager and finished in record time. As the graduating top student, he was handpicked to interview as an assistant for a Hollywood celebrity hairdresser. Carlo put on his best outfit and made the long trek from his humble Los Angeles suburb to the world famous Sunset Strip in Hollywood. This would be the first place he'd outgrow. Before cosmetology, Carlo had been personally chosen by his high school theatre teacher to be one of only a select few chosen to receive an acting scholarship. It was a new program that would have taken him to New York to study theater as a high school student. Instead, he chose to be a stylist. He knew that Hollywood discriminated by gender, sexuality, size, color, attractiveness and more. He wanted a life free of discrimination. As a stylist, no one would care where he came from, who his parents were or even who he'd kiss. Carlo quickly attracted a loyal clientele. And, as predicted, not one of them cared about the color of his skin. As a person, they fell in love with his charm, his laugh and the unique way he had of appreciating them. As a stylist, they adored the way he listened, how well he understood and then interpreted their desires into the best haircut, color and style they'd ever had. That's why they'd follow him from their very first haircut.uhj