Roberta Gutierrez, @berta_olivia, self-employed, Santa Fe, NM

From an early age, Roberta saw how beauty could be the spark in someone’s day. “My afterschool program was doing homework at my mom’s salon and I never saw a person leave who wasn’t happier than when they came in,” says Roberta. She defines success as, “creating better than what was before and as hairstylists we get to do that with each and every client.” As an advocate for animals and the planet, Roberta uses only products that are vegan and cruelty free. “This scholarship stands for what I stand for,” she says. Watch her video here.