We recently connected with Tanza Hines-Tucker and have shared our conversation below.
Tanza, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
So starting out in this business, it was a moment of we have a newborn, we need income but I can’t afford nor do I want to put my baby in daycare with a stranger. I’ve always thought God gave is talents for us to use for income so I thought “what can I do naturally?” Art in general I was already good at. Drawing, fashion design, sewing clothing, and styling hair. It honestly wasn’t my first choice, I wanted to be an architect or in interior design. But as a quick fix I started doing hair and makeup in the salon while going to school through an apprenticeship. Definitely was not a money maker at first. I made enough to pay my booth rent and took home tips. But God has been faithful. My creativity helped me build clientele by being able to do my own marketing, I was a walking billboard. Having a background in years of office management gave me the business skillset I needed to take care of the administrative side. Many times that’s the part that kills the business of a creative, not knowing how to properly run the “admin” side. I partnered with local photographers, constantly attended classes in and out of state to always be a step ahead of others in my field and started following the top beauty professional in the game, Patric Bradley. He was years ahead in his knowledge and had the business genius to back it up allowing me to be ahead as well. I went from stylist to salon owner, honestly way sooner than I should have. But my struggles made me a natural hustler. It took years to build what I would say was a successful business that allowed me to draw a full time income. Its so much more difficult than people realize and takes a special person to be strong enough to do so. Lots of sacrifice from myself and my family was made.
Tanza, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
The reason I wanted to go from stylist to salon owner was because I wanted a certain atmosphere for both the client and the beauty professional. A beautiful, upscale facility with top notch services, no drama, in a relaxed atmosphere. Most importantly I wanted it to be Christ centered. I started finding the needs of women and one was natural looking protective styles or wigs. With my specializing in custom color I started creating wigs and hair extensions that looked extremely natural. That paired with my ability to make someones natural hair look like a wig or extensions through my weightless silk wraps became my signatures. After partnering with photographers and building a portfolio for bridal and editorial hair and makeup, I focused a lot on special events. Ive been able to be on billboards, been nominated one of the top up and coming stylists in Atlantas Hair Stare Magazine, been a platform artist, nominated for hair stylist of the year for ACHI Magazine, had my work in countless other hair magazines, billboards and market materials for Influance Hair Care, built a YouTube beauty following of over 10k subscribers, and been the glam squad for so many brides and models. My love for excellence customer service, wanting to cater to clients and God given talents have opened so many doors and allowed me to serve so many. I am proud to say my salon and events teams have been amongst the best in the business and not just because of their talent in hair and makeup but their love for people and thats what is most important to me.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Wow, I think there was no bigger pivot than covid for any business owner. Everything about how we serviced clients and how I was able to run my businesses changed. After 2020 I had to tap into my creativity on how to reach people virtually for supplemental income be cause business slowed down tremendously. More than ever I had to turn to online marketing, upping retail sales, teaching clients how to care for their own hair, sharing tips online etc. While also making sure in person clients we safe, taking less clients to ensure proper cleaning and disinfecting etc could happen. Sadly the salons that did not have that business and marketing skillset I spoke of earlier, could not make the needed changes and ended up closing their doors. So I am so grateful for my background. It really helped me push through the most difficult time ever in business.
How did you build your audience on social media?
People love to feel like they know you. This is a world of reality tv and online education. What I learned in car sales years ago was the first step is to build a rapport, if someone feels connected with you, they will trust you. And second people don’t buy the product, they buy you. People are more likely to shop with you if they like you and are invested. So posting yourself, yourself using the product or service, your everyday life, depending on the situation your family especially kids. Kids are natural salespeople without trying and your interactions with your family make you relatable. It took me years to build the conditions to start a YouTube channel, but it helped open so many doors. It even brought in extra income. Giving people advice, or education online for free is a great incentive for customers to see you as a problem solver. One thing I focused on was easy hair maintenance and styling from home and how to wear wigs that look natural. Find a problem and become the solution. Itll open so many doors.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tanzaneale.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanzaneale.hair.mua?igsh=a2tzZWl2NnVmYXFv&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/uLNtpHypW8FePvvw/?mibextid=WC7FNe
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ShearLuxuryBeauty?si=jB77YQ3myj5IN2nz
- Other: Salon site: www.shearluxurybeauty.com Custom wigs and hair extensions: www.shearluxurytresses.com Interior Design services: www.ShearLuxeInteriors.com
Image Credits
Everlasting Pictures a Photography Tamara Ibanez Photography