We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tia Maniscalchi a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tia , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
I believe a huge reason I was able to become a business owner at such a young age was that I was not afraid to take risks and always bet on myself! I became a mom with my first daughter at 22, went to hair school when she was 9 months old, and then decided to stay home with her while my now husband worked on getting his plumbing license. I decided to go back to work on a very limited schedule at a small salon to get my groove in the hair industry-I learned a lot there, and once COVID hit and the whole world was shut down, it really made me think. I knew I had so much potential, more than I was putting out. Being a stylist has come so naturally to me, working with people as well as expressing my creative side through my work, so during COVID I decided that I should try going out on my own as a chair renter. There was a new rental salon opening a town over from me, so I took a chance and ended up deciding to rent a suite once business could open back up per the state. I had so many worries and voices saying, “Do I have the clients?” ” Should I be doing this?” But instead of getting in my head, I slid into every person I know’s inbox, marketing myself and putting myself out there as a new independent stylist. I went old school with business cards and would leave them on the tables at restaurants , give them to the cashiers at stores- wherever there was an opportunity to promote my business, I did. Once I was in my suite, my career just blossomed; I was happily booked and busy! I worked there for 2.5 years, building my clientele and learning about myself as an independent stylist. Then I got pregnant with my second daughter and got married all in one year, so my work schedule got cut drastically. I made the tough decision to leave my suite and work at a friend’s salon, just renting a chair to figure out my new schedule and save some money on rent. While I was at the new salon, although I loved the space and the people I worked alongside, I just felt this tug that I wasn’t at my potential again. Even though this felt like the right choice financially , it wasn’t fueling my soul and passion; I knew I needed more. So, after saving up for six months, a salon space became available for lease, and I went to check it out, working the numbers in my head about how I could do this. The space was furnished but definitely not my style, so I focused on what I could do in the meantime before I could afford to renovate the space to how I wanted it! That is how HairVibes Salon came to be-I opened my very own salon in June of 2023 with the intention of renting out my other chairs and just doing what I love to do in my own space! Since opening I now have 2 renters, have done all the renovations I wanted to do but couldn’t when i first opened, and just truly feel so proud of the space I have created. Having my own salon has been such a growing experience for me mentally and professionally! I love that I am showing my two daughters that you don’t have to settle, you don’t have to be scared, and if you really want something to happen, then you have to make it happen! I think as humans we are always going to naturally talk ourselves out of things with all the “what ifs,” but we need to start thinking more like-just do it, go for it, and figure it out as you go! If you have a dream, amazing work ethic and passion-take the risk and believe in yourself and what you are capable of!
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.
My name is Tia, and I am a mom of two beautiful girls, Olive and Maeve. My husband and I are high school sweethearts; he is my best friend and the biggest supporter of his three girls! Being a mom is my number one job in this life, and being a salon owner/stylist is the other! I love connecting with everyone in my chair; I don’t even like calling them “clients” because I feel like every person who sits in my chair is a friend. Besides the connections I have with people, I truly love that I get to make others feel good about themselves; the sparkle in their eyes when the service is done is unmatched. Hairvibes Salon prides itself on having good vibes, where you come in and feel like you’re just hanging out with us! We love to support and showcase local businesses; we often have local makers, artists, and small businesses in for pop-ups! The salon is covered in plants to bring a little earthy feel; you can never have enough plants! The services I am known for are lived-in color and brunette balayages, as well as my signature Scalp Facial services! To all of our present and future clients, we appreciate and love every single person who sits in our chairs!
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
I think that when it comes to building clientele, it’s very much about the work you are putting out, but just as important is the relationship you are building with your client. I believe we have all been in a position where we received a service—whether it was our hair, nails, facial, etc.—and felt like the provider was “going through the motions” or that we were just another number. Conversely, I have had services done where I felt the passion, care, and true purpose of their craft. So when I decided to become an independent stylist, it was extremely important for me that no one ever left my chair feeling that way. Attention to detail goes a long way. Paying attention in conversations and taking an interest in their lives outside of the salon is huge! Giving people the space to vent or just de-stress from their day is a pleasure, and the gorgeous hair at the end is the cherry on top!
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
Although I don’t really manage the women at HairVibes, as the owner, I like to maintain the good energy of the salon by being supportive of them, showing my appreciation in small ways , and providing them with the best space possible to run their independent business! I feel my relationship with my renters is more friendly than not, but at the end of the day, I do have to run the salon. However, I think if you choose the right renters who fit the culture of the space, mesh with your personality , and share similar mindsets, the atmosphere and morale are always in a good place!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @hairvibesbytia @hairvibes_salon
