In her 45 years doing hair, Dora Robles has seen salon styles change from rollers to blow drying and from heat wave perms to highlights.

Robles has owned La Dora Salon in the Redwood Plaza Shopping Center for 31 years.

“There’s nothing boring about hair,” said Robles. Every day is a challenge. “It never stays the same.”

The eighth of 10 siblings — four brothers and five sisters — Robles grew up in Yountville. With that many family members “it was like we had our own baseball team,” Robles said with a laugh. 

What three people would you most like to have dinner with?

My mother, Maria Gonzales. She passed away in 1986, and I miss her so much.

Julio Iglesias. I’ve seen him a couple times in concert, he was wonderful.

Princess Diana and her two sons.

What job would you like to try/not try? 

Try: Veterinarian, I love animals.

Not try: Working in a dry cleaner.

What was your first job?

Picking prunes in Yountville for 25 cents a box.

How did you get into this business?

I received a scholarship after graduating from Napa High to attend Pari’s Beauty College in Vallejo. It was one of the best schools and a few of my friends were going there.

I can’t live without: the closeness of my large family, friends, and my two Dachshies Casper and Jasper.

Who do you most admire in the business world?

John Miller, whom I once worked for and purchased the business from. He once owned three salons in the valley called House of Miller Beauty Shop. Also Lorene Bagley who owned and operated Rene’s Fountain in Yountville. 

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be? 

Add more spa services.

What’s your favorite gift to give?

I love to give bouquets of flowers. It puts a smile on everyone’s face.

If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?

Lying on the beach in Bora Bora. I have been there once and I loved it. It’s just so beautiful. I will get back there some day.

What other business person(s) would you like to see featured in “10 Questions?”

Barbara Magee, Custom House Furniture.

Louis and Marguerite Giaquinto, Napa Builders' Supply Co.

Jay Bakker, Squeeze Inn Hamburgers.

Gary Taylor, Wine Country Wireless. 

More from Dora Robles

What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

I was a soda jerk at Rene’s Fountain in Yountville from junior high to graduation.

What was your childhood ambition? 

To become a registered nurse.

What is your favorite charity? 

Special Olympics.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

Continuing to keep current in my field.

What’s on your to-do list?

To travel more. 

What is your favorite Julio Iglesias song?

“Noche de Cuatro Lunas.”

What’s the worst job you ever had?

Picking prunes while people are throwing squishy prunes at you.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in your lifetime that you haven’t yet? 

I’d love to find the time to write a book about my life experiences.

What’s one thing Napa could do to help local business? 

Require more parking when approving commercial centers.

What’s the most significant project you’ve been involved with in your career? 

The transition from being employee to employer and trying to find the balance between the two.