We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tara Hooper . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tara below.
Tara, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I was a hairstylist and salon owner for 20 plus years and we decided to move cross country for my husband’s new job advancement. This was exciting, scary and a much needed break from work for me. I had a toddler and was 6 months along with my daughter. I never expected my break would include moving from San Diego, CA to Fairhope, AL. I had this wonderful opportunity to be home with my kiddos, support my husband in his career advancement and take a break from working full time. I enjoyed this time but then got bored. I know that sounds terrible, as many women would relish the opportunity to be home, but I came to realize quickly that being a stay at home mom full time was not for me, in fact it was the hardest job I ever had and I commend those women who commit to it. BRAVO!!! I wanted to go back to work, even if it was part time. I threw around a bunch of ideas with my husband, (specifically not wanting to go back to doing hair), I wanted to learn something new. Here is the funny thing, HE is the one who discovered The London Image Institute. HE is the one that said I would make a great image consultant and that it tied in to my years as a hairstylist. It made sense! I was already supporting women’s positive self image with my salon skills, this new training would allow me to work more deeply with clients. This new skill would give me the tools to help men and women transform into the most confident version of themselves. My clients go from feeling average and ordinary to outstanding and unforgettable!
Tara, 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?
It hasn’t been easy and it took me years to be the confident person you see today. I grew up being teased, “bubble butt and thunder thighs’ ‘, having a mustache and a unibrow! I definitely felt like the proverbial ugly duckling, and even now when I look in the mirror I have to fight to NOT hear those negative words.
After working to have positive self image, self worth and confidence I must admit – I’m a high-heel shoe advocate who has a smidge of diva in her … and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Looking back, despite my insecurities, my story has always been sprinkled with style. From my roots in hair and makeup artistry to competing in the pageant world for three decades, I’ve surrounded myself with style and image for as long as I can remember. It was these tools that helped me transform my confidence.
I’ve worn crowns for Mrs. Alabama U.S., Mrs. USA Petite, and now proudly Mrs. Texas USA Ambassador 2022. These experiences have made me the master of stage presence and communication. I came to realize that along with appearance, those were the golden nuggets of a confident image. When those three elements were mastered, success would be inevitable. I had already trained with the best in image consulting, personal styling and professional development at the world-renowned London Image Institute.
Beyond image consulting, I became certified in strategic communications from UT Austin and corporate consultancy through Illustra Business School. Over the years, this business owner and entrepreneur slash pageant queen image diva developed the knowledge, training and grit to coach clients on making powerful connections and developing a clear and powerful personal brand. It is my passion to help clients create a style they love, be an effective communicator and gush confidence in a rock solid image.
On a personal note, I believe in self-care, personal growth and FUN! I love tennis, travel and pageantry. Giving back is important to me, so I created an initiative “Success Through Self – Confidence” where I offer coaching, mentoring and workshops to help socioeconomically disadvantaged girls/women gain the tools and skills of confidence and positive self image. I also will be re-launching my video series the C. R. O. W. N. effect where I showcase women’s empowering stories of triumph over adversity.
I’m a San Diego native living in North Dallas where I proudly hold the titles of wife, mom and transformation queen.
Additional Info:
Tara Hooper is a communication consultant, stylist, and brand image strategist working with individuals, companies, and corporations to create dynamic teams with the power to communicate beyond boundaries or barriers for enhanced productivity, profitability, and presence. Image is a powerful communication tool and she empowers individuals to identify their unique Signature Style Code © in order to exude a confident executive presence both in person and online.
Tara’s consulting genius is trusted by global brands such as Toyota Financial Services and Liberty Mutual. She uses her over 20 years of experience in leadership, communication, and stage presence to enhance team dynamics, increase effective leadership, and build strong interpersonal skills so they can leverage more opportunity and success.
She has been featured in publications and media outlets such as Good Morning Texas , CNN, FOX, ESPN and more.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Resilience is my middle name! Moving from a well established business and my home for 39 years, to Southern Alabama 6 months pregnant, and not knowing a soul. To another move to Dallas where I only knew my in-laws and thinking…. “hey let’s start a new business” was nothing but resilience. I did not have a budget for start-up costs and actually went back to doing hair to get cash to invest in my image business. Don’t get me wrong, I was lucky in the sense that my husband covered all our expenses so this made things much easier for me, however I did not want to use our household budget to start my business, I was determined to do it on my own. I had to pound the pavement for sure. I went to every networking event in the DFW area and it probably took 6 months or more to ever gain a client. I had no reputation in Dallas, no friends, no network. This was all resilience. I was not going to give up. Not just because I didn’t want to fail, but more because I knew I had something positive to offer. I had experienced 20 years of women not loving themselves, not loving what they saw in the mirror and now I had the tools and skills to support women in gaining that positive self image. Gaining true life changing transformation.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
SEO! Now how did I do that without a budget? I didn’t. I had to network in person, which is exhausting. I had to follow up, grow my social media audience. All exhausting, time consuming and frustrating. However, once I started earning, I found SEO and a great website has been key to great leads and clients. There are also free ways to add to SEO on Google, which I utilized. None of it is easy without a budget, but once you get one that is where I would spend.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thestylesignature.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tara_thestylesignature/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestylesignature
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-hooper-image-consultant/
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/tara.hooper.16
Image Credits
Chloe Saltarelli Grant Foto Matty Jacobson https://www.chloesaltarelliphotography.com http://grantfoto.com https://magicdreamsproductions.com