He’s 18 and Changing the Face of Beauty in Belize City

At just eighteen years old, one Belize City teen is breaking stereotypes and redefining what success looks like in the beauty industry. Allon Pacheco is carving out his space in a field where men are rarely seen, building a name for himself as a certified beautician. What started as encouragement from his mother quickly turned into a passion. After completing an intensive six-month training, Pacheco now works at the Deluxe Corner Beauty Bar, where clients are getting to know both his skill and dedication firsthand. News Five’s Britney Gordon stopped by the salon to meet the young professional who’s proving that talent, and ambition, know no boundaries.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

In Belize City, one young man is stepping outside the norm and confidently carving his own path. At just eighteen, Allon Pacheco is taking on a profession where men are still a rare sight, beauty. For Pacheco, becoming a beautician wasn’t just about learning a skill; it meant pushing past expectations and having the courage to try something different. His journey began six months ago, inspired by someone close to home, his mother, who encouraged him to take that first step. Now, he’s proving that passion and determination can break barriers, one client at a time.

 

Allon Pacheco, Beautician

“One random day I got up and I was like mom let me do your toes and she was like okay  go ahead and I did my thing and I git it very well, It looked pretty. And she was like you should go work for my friend. Go and try do pedicures and rub some feet.”

 

Here, at the Deluxe Corner Beauty Bar, Allon can be found scrubbing, filing and painting, all in the name of beauty. Not everyone has supported his career choice, but Pacheco isn’t letting the criticism slow him down. He says as long as he enjoys his work and keeps his clients happy, the opinions of others simply don’t matter.

 

Allon Pacheco

“It has been great. A lot of people, especially other males have been trying to downgrade me. But I’m making money, I’m enjoying what I’m doing, and everyone loves coming to me. So.”

 

After setting his sights on joining the salon, he didn’t waste any time. He committed to an intensive six-month training program and earned his certification through sheer determination. And that work ethic hasn’t gone unnoticed; his coworker, Arilee Somerville, says it’s exactly that drive and dedication that make him stand out as a truly admirable colleague.

 

Arilee Somerville, Beautician

“Allon is a very great worker. He’s hardworking, self-driven. The experience with him has been wonderful. He’s very helpful.”

 

Somerville recalls that Pacheco was initially reluctant to showcase his work online, but with some encouragement he took the leap. Today, he proudly shares his skills with Belizeans, drawing in a growing number of clients. He’s just happy to be able to help people.

 

Allon Pacheco

“Me helping other people is what I enjoy doing so if I have my last little three dollars I will give someone on the street because if you bless someone, God will bless you also. So I just love helping people, cleaning their ties, feeling pretty again.”

 

The stigma surrounding male beauticians persist, however, there’s a strong support system backing Pacheco and his aspiration to keep honing his skills.

 

Arilee Somerville

“The nails industry or being a pedicurist is not only for females. Male can also do the same work and by seeing Allon, I see how much joy it brings to Allon. They actually would ask specifically for Allon. To do the pedicure so it’s nothing to be negative about. I feel like it could be motivation to someone who wants to do nails, wants to do oedicres to just break that negative energy”

 

Pacheco aspires to one day open his own business and plans to keep pursuing his dreams, despite the naysayers.

 

Allon Pacheco

“Trying to downgrade me, telling me that you can’t do this, telling me you should go outside and do man work. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve done mechanics, I’ve done electrical. I’ve done all the works. I just find it very interesting and I want to plant my life here because I enjoy doing it and I make good enough money. “

 

Allon encourages all Belizeans, regardless of age or gender to pursue their passions and dare to go against the grain. Britney Gordon for News Five.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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