Exploring Life & Business with Tara Vidal of Haute LA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Vidal

Hi Tara, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
In 2008 I finally was able to transfer over my NY cosmetology license to CA. It took 4 years. I received my license in 2003 and was assisting two years prior to that. I then started managing a salon on Pier Ave in Hermosa beach as I was just doing free lance work in the hair industry prior when I moved to CA and working as a spokesmodel since 2004. In 2008 I was hired on to manage a salon and I was able to get hands on training running a business and learned the do’s and don’t of running a salon but also quickly realized I wanted to do this on my own one day! In 2013 Haute LA started out as an online clothing boutique while I was still doing hair and managing the salon. It was quickly very successful and in that same year I had the opportunity to take over the salon I was managing and turn it into Haute LA! I turned the space into a salon/boutique and also had my shipping team as we sold across the country! I also got pregnant with my first baby at the same time and this was a whirlwind. Once I started the salon from scratch besides myself having clientele, I knew I had to adapt to the industry if I wanted to be successful and adapting to the beauty industry is what has kept the success of Haute LA! I turned the salon into a full service salon and Blow Dry bar and we grew overnight! I had a team of 12-15 and the online clothing boutique. Three years later I had my second baby. I quickly realized it was alot to run two businesses and have two small children. I chose to close the boutique. At the end of 2018 we had to move locations but stayed in hermosa beach just up the street! We had a great year. I was in talks with the Manhattan beach village mall as they were building and they wanted us to be the main salon and also Del Amo Simón Mall. Thankfully something was telling me not to do this and Then 2020 hit. So much happened in that year. We had to close the salon 3 x for three 3 month periods. I lost all of my staff as they all went to suites to work during this time and I went through a divorce and became a single mom. Something in me during this time clicked as I financially have to take care of both kids 100% and I had majority custody (now full). I could finally focus on being behind the chair again and knew I had to rebrand for new times. I decided to focus on Luxury Blonding and Extensions and becoming one of the best stylist in LA! Over the next few years I upped my education, social media and branding and put all my focus into providing the best services and experiences to my clients! I now have my ideal clientele in my chair and walking through our doors daily and I am now in the top 3% of stylist in the country. I feel so grateful to have a career I love and successful business after such trying years. Today I also focus on building top stylist through my assistant program and keeping my salon small but with very talented stylist. As my kids get older I want to extend Haute LA into a beauty line and I have some other amazing ideas I would love to put into motion. I’m so excited for what the future holds going forward!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I explained some in the prior question but can send more if needed!

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are a full service non toxic Aveda salon specializing in Blondes and Hair Extensions. We currently also offer non toxic smoothing and straightening services and organic airbrush spray tans. I think what sets us apart as I can adapt to change and not be scared to rebrand the salon to adapt to the times while still staying true to who we are. I believe this is what has made us successful.

Haute LA started out as an online clothing boutique and took off in 2013. I then started the salon end of 2013 and combined the two. I sold across the world and in store in hermosa beach but after my second baby in 2018 I needed to shut down the boutique as I didn’t have time to run two businesses and be the best mom for my two kids at the same time. I am in the process of started Haute LA beauty and some other things in the future now though!

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Born and raised in Buffalo Ny until I left for LA at 18 by myself, I have always been an introvert/extrovert depending on my environment. I was an entrepreneur early on. I had a dog walking, car washing business at 10 yrs old. I was collecting cans and babysitting just to save up ti take all of my friends to six flags theme park. I started working when I was 14 and started a Tara get a car fund where I would save as much as possible no matter if it was a penny I saw on the ground, I would pick it up and put it in there! My parents told me they would match what I made so I was determined. Being the oldest of three I always had a sense of independence.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hautelasalon.com
• Instagram: @hautelabeauty @hautelasalon
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Hautelasalon
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/lVPZozhKEK

Image Credits
In the photo with the 3 of us, My assistant/Stylist Tiana, me in the middle and Ashley Former assistant and now full time stylist