Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Sarah Elizabeth Milander Rodríguez is a stylist with over 35 years of experience in the beauty industry.  Interestingly, she tells us the surprising fact that she did her first straightening at the age of seven when an aunt took her to the bank of a river, instructed her how to apply the straightening, and she prepared to take it out in the rushing waters of the place.

Encouraged by that experience, having been surrounded by family members who operated in the industry, and inspired by a tendency to improve, Sarah took the initiative to offer the beauty services she learned along the way at the age of 13, during which time The then director of the local beauty academy took her under her wing and taught her the skills she formally taught at the academy. Sarah tells us that in addition to instructing her, she routinely included her in beauty workshops and conferences until finally granting her a formal certification from her academy.  

In 1992, Sarah emigrated to New York City where for the first time she assumed the position of stylist in a business that she did not own. Having practiced independently virtually since childhood, Sarah found it difficult to execute services under the creative vision of her employers.  For her, giving a cut, doing a hairstyle, or transforming the texture of the hair are creative acts that to this day she prefers to express without having to conform to another stylist's style, system, or method.  For that reason, after a number of tenures in different salons and barbershops, he opened the Dominican Unique Hair Salon on Riverdale Avenue, Yonkers – a business he ran successfully until the tragic attack on the twin towers in New York on September 11, 2001.

That tragic moment marked a before and after in the fluidity of demand for her establishment, prompting Sarah to sell the business and move to Atlanta.  There she launched her second salon which she managed until she eventually decided to move to Hartford, Connecticut where she opened Dominican Hair Salon-Sarah's.  In Hartford, Sarah is finally once again close to her sister, Clara Mercedes Milander Rodriguez, who is also a hairdresser and to whom Sarah, perhaps replicating a learned pattern, served as a mentor, introducing her to the career when Clara was also only 13 years old.

A stylist par excellence, Sarah was recognized by the Chamber of Commerce as the most experienced hairstylist in the city of Hartford.  What has been the most rewarding work experience for Sarah? – Seeing how so many women have traveled from very distant places, and even from other states looking for the unique satisfaction that receiving Sarah's professional touch gives them.

Sarah dreams of one day developing an academy to teach her methods, convey her passion for the industry, and elevate her commitment to customer service—elements she considers central to being a successful stylist.

Sarah has two children who are the light in her eyes and of whom she is very proud. Three other reasons for pride include the opportunity to evangelize, her tenure managing beauty businesses, and having contributed to the development of her employees by passing on her knowledge to them.

What three adjectives best describe Sarah? – Good sister, honest, and faithful.  What if you had a magic wand to solve just one world problem, what would Sarah do? – Ensure that everyone reaches divine grace. Sarah, the stylist, sister, and faithful believer, already saw a small beta of gratitude for all the dedication and kindness she offers since one day, Clara (sister whom she served as a mentor), appeared before her and gave her the First prize trophy she won in her first hairstyling competition in the industry – what an exciting award!