Today we’d like to introduce you to Tonya Fairley.
Tonya, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Being raised in a Foster home I was not around many people who dreamed outside the box, I experienced hunger, homelessness, physical and mental abuse. I would mentally escape by dreaming of owning a home and having my own business. One day my social worker told me “I was smart and could do whatever I wanted if I was willing to work for it” Working for it meant to channel my anger and attitude into something more positive. I started cutting anyone’s hair who would let me.
After 22yrs in corporate America, the opportunity presented itself for me to move to the next phase of entrepeneurialship, I worked for a lady who became my business mentor in a salon in Old Town Pasadena, and nearly 5 yrs later I opened my 1st salon Strandz Hair Studio. Three yrs later came the second one Strandz on Grand in Covina, CA and then the TSFairley Hair Restoration Center.
Has it been a smooth road?
Not at all. When I decided it was time to become a full-time stylist, I had to walk away from a “lucrative” steady salary at a finance company. The 1st four months I made less than $1,000. With a husband and three kids I knew I needed to do better. I began to take classes on marketing and business. I knew how to work hard I just needed guidance on working smarter. Everything from then own was about branding myself, marketing myself and being true to my talents.
Having a great mentor made it easier. She took to me and poured into me more than I could imagine. When it was time to open my 1st salon, it was self-funded. I wasn’t exposed to the business loans many people speak of, nor did I have any help from anyone to get off the ground. The physical part of the business was easy however financially I had to learn a lot.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Strandz Hair Studio, Strandz on Grand, and TSFairley Hair Restoration Center – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Strandz Hair Studio and Strandz on Grand are multicultural hair salons that specialize in Curly Cuts/Deva Cuts, Pintura Color, and Smoothing Treatments. We educate our clients on proper hair care and understanding that proper care starts from within.
The TSFairley Hair Restoration Center and Training Academy is a resource for all things ‘Hair Restoration or Stabilization”. We are strong in holistic remedies to get to the root cause of a clients hair loss and devise plans specifically for each client to address the issue and start the blueprint of recovery.
I am most proud because all three businesses are “teaching” spaces. We train clients on better hair and self-care, and train Stylist on how to identify hair loss behind the chair. This allows me to give back to my stylist community while teaching them valuable life skills behind the chair.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the Culture of LA… I Love the diversity each area brings. I love that everyone who walks in any of my salons will be different.
I hate the traffic… lol! It could take 1hr to go 10miles, and that to me is ridiculous.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1700 E. Washington Blvd Pasadena, CA
968 N. Grand Ave Covina, CA - Website: www.strandzongrand.com www.tsfairleyhrc.com
- Phone: 6262966504
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: strandzgrand
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/strandz-hair-studio-pasadena-2
- Other: www.tsfairleyhrc.com
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
