We recently connected with Tara Steele and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tara , thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with what makes profitability in your industry a challenge – what would you say is the biggest challenge?

From the outside looking in, becoming a stylist seems to come with all of the glitz and glam! In some cases this is true! Our industry is so fun, full of amazing artist, with such creative minds! Often times I believe the consumer gets the impression that the stylists have little to no overhead and “keep all their money”! With that consumer pressure on a stylist to be competitive with their pricing, more times than not, industry professionals end up falling short due to a lack of true education on business foundations. After completing cosmetology school most stylist find a place to work either in a booth rent or commission based salon. There are many preconcieved notions that one atmosphere is better than the other when it comes to a stylist’s profitability. But, what I have found through experience, is that it doesn’t matter the pay structure if you do not have the knowledge you need to understand your business from its foundation. In ANY salon, the stylist is their own business. Understanding thoroughly what it cost for you to stand behind behind the chair as a stylist is critical to achieving profitability.
In my salon, I want to create a space where the stylist that work for me know that I have their back! I want them to know that I want them to be successful. In my opinion, the only way to do that is with financial transperancy. I have poured thousands of dollars into my own continuing education in this area and within my skill set. I am determined to narrow the educational gap. Knowing your worth as a stylist, leads to educated pricing, time management, and creates a clear and direct path to creating the income that you want to create to live the life you want to live!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

About 17 years ago, I was picked up by Lancôme as a FreeLance Makeup Artist in college. I quickly fell in love with the beauty industry, and knew I had found my path. I graduated with honors from Paul Mitchell the School and landed my first job on Music Row in the heart of Nashville. I loved every second of it. The high profile clientele, the stylist, the atmosphere…it was perfect! In that salon, as an assistant to one of the owners, I began to fall in love with extensions. I would watch how confident she was, how fast she was, and how amazing everyone looked when she was finished. I started my training, and I never looked back! I’ve been in 2 salons besides my own in my career and every single person I have worked with has left me with something that makes me the stylist and owner I am today.

The Pearl Salon and Extension Bar opened in June of 2022. I started the salon with the idea that I wanted a salon and staff FULL of extraordinary talent. I wanted to surround my self with the BEST and if they weren’t yet, I wanted to help them get there!
Personally, I want to be known as the best extension artist in our area as I feel I have truly put in the work and embody the knowledge to own the title. I am master certified in Hand-Tied extensions and a brand affiliate with Harper Ellis Hair Co. I have also been trained with Great Lengths Professional for over 15 years.
I hope to be able to give clients the space to comfortably tackle personal challenges like hair loss, slow growth, or lack of self confidence by showing them the extensive options available to them through hair extensions. The options are truly endless and life changing!

Professionally, I want to create a luxury space that is educationally based for beauty professionals. I want them to know their worth! I want them to be financially independent and successful outside of what I provide them!
I truly want a client to walk in the door and wonder who the boss is…because everyone carries themselves like a boss! I am proud to say, that in a little over a year we have a very healthy salon and team! The Pearl Team consists of 13 extraordinary artists in their field of expertise all led by stylist, Alex Holt.

Yes, we excel in hair extensions, hair color, and styling in the salon; but, we have also created a fierce team of the areas most sought after makeup artist, spray tan professionals, and massage therapist.
The Pearl Team is available for any event large or small. We provide packages in the salon for events (which are SO fun, easy, and stress free!), as well as on location opportunities.

Our salon mission is:
The world is your oyster; be authentic in what you desire from life, and with the education and path to success the ones who trust the process and withstand the pressure will produce The Pearl.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Social Media is BY FAR by least favorite aspect of salon ownership and/or working behind the chair. I hope some readers resonate with me when I say how truly intimidating it can be! But, guess what? I’m trying really hard to work on my weaknesses as an entrepreneur, and I am determined to make socials an area of a bit more enjoyment for myself. I truly don’t enjoy talking on camera, creating content or content calendars! In all honesty, it’s so scary sometimes to open yourslef up to the media for possible criticism?! But, as a salon owner and leader of a team, how can I ask my people to grow their clientelle and followings if I won’t do it myself? I must lead by example! Social Media really is todays business card. 55% of GenZ uses instagram before Google! That number is just going to continue to expand and integrate into other age groups. If you’re business is not searchable on social media, you’re likely forgotten or looked over. If you interact with someone outside of the salon, usually their first question is, do you have an instagram? Ok, well if that’s the case, as we all know it is…we have to do it if we like it or not!
My advice to those starting to build on any social platforms is:
1. Don’t worry so much about the “number” of followers, but focus on the value of the follower to your business. I’d rather have intentional followers than “scrollers!

2. Try running an ad on Facebook. Find your target market and set parameters to reach outside of your “base following” it might cost you a couple of dollars, but getting outside of your family and close friends liking your posts is important. We love when our families hype us up of course, but their reach is only so far!

3. ASK FOR HELP! The best thing I ever did was ask another professional to help me start my social media. If you know it’s not your strongest area, find someone who knows what they’re doing and get some help! Have them set up your aesthetic, help show you how to make content, and push you to to post frequently.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I have truly invested so much money into furthering my education. Yes, I love artistic classes and trainings on trends. However, I can say whole heartedly that the BEST thing that I ever did for my career was my certifications with Harper Ellis Hair Co. I went into the first certification thinking I was just learning “another method”. I’ve never been more surprised when I realized I had just entered into a WHOLE OTHER LEVEL of monumentally successful stylist and entrepreneurs. This company and their philosophy is not just a method and it’s NOT just for hairstylist!
The newly launched Legacy Program is a fully involved training on entrepreneurship, goal setting, and execution! If you want to know how to SCALE your business with hard numbers and facts, this is the opportunity! I am VERY passionate about my relationship with Harper Ellis Hair Co, and what the “family” of great minds has to offer anyone willing to put in the work. I am currently enrolled in 2 educational programs at the SAME TIME, and hope to become an educator after completion so I can share my story, and expertise around the world!
As an Affiliate of HEHC, I would strongly encourage ANYONE interested in scaling their business to please reach out to me! I’d love to share what opportunities are available to you in terms of growth and scaling your business.

TaraSteele50 will give $50 off educational programs.
Any professional stylist looking to order or begin a career with HECO can use TaraSteele20 for 20% off on account creation.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: ThePearlSalonandExtBar
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/thepearlsalonandextbar
• Other: PearlSalonEvents@gmail.com

Image Credits
Ashley Mac Media