As they work their way up, young up-and-coming beauty professionals are blazing trails and making waves. We scoured the country to find out who is doing what and how it all began. Here is our chat with up-and-coming beauty professional, Tay Atelier.
Salon Magazine: How did you get your start in hair? Why did you decide to be a part of this industry?
Tay Atelier: As child, my father would cut my hair and my brother’s hair, simply because at that time, going to a salon or barbershop was a luxury and somewhere money shouldn’t be spent. My father always gave me mushroom haircuts. (Heading into high school there was no way I was going to rock that!) One of my best friends started cutting my hair and if he wasn’t around I would cut my own hair. I came to understand that this industry was a business of making people feel great and building confidence. I enrolled in Marca College and that was one of the proudest decisions I have ever made.
SM: What drives and motivates you as a hair artist?
TA: What really drives me to explore this industry further would definitely be seeing the results of accomplishing the smaller goals, which allows you to set another career checkpoint in order to reach the bigger goals. What truly motivates me would have to be the support and loyalty from family, friends, clients and talented barbers and hairstylists.
SM: What is your expertise? What do you specialize in or excel at?
TA: As a barber, I specialize in short hair styles, cutting and education.
SM: What is the one lesson you’ve learned throughout your education and career that you still keep in mind today?
TA: This is such a hard question to pinpoint, because there have been many lessons I’ve learned in the progression of my career that have made impacts along the way. The one that always stands out to me is to “always be a better version of yourself!”
SM: Who is your mentor or who do you look up to when it comes to hair? Anyone in particular on social media?
TA: I’ve been fortunate to have had many mentors who have dedicated their time, patience and efforts to help me grow. Early in my career, it was my teacher at Marca College, Lillian Scott. My biggest mentors now when it comes to hair would be the owners of Ego Salon; Russel Bally, Mark Santarossa and Steve Oliveira. Each and every one of them have helped shape and refine my outlook on life, my career, my weaknesses and my potential. Thank you to you all!
SM: Who is your hair hero? Is there someone you want to work with?
TA: My hair hero is Sam Villa!
SM: As a young artist, what has been the biggest challenge have you faced and how have you overcome that?
TA: One of the biggest challenges I have faced was transitioning from a stylist behind the chair into an educator and platform artist. There is definitely an art in engaging the learners.
SM: Who gave you the best advice as you embarked on your career and what was that advice?
TA: One of the memorable pieces of advice I’ve been given was said by Sam Villa. He told me “An investment in your education pays the best interest!” Never stop learning!
SM: What is your one must-have product?
TA: My must-have product is Redken Brews Clay Pomade
SM: What are your goals for the next 5 to 10 years? Where do you see yourself in the beauty industry?
TA: In the next 5 to 10 years, my goal is to be a successful business owner, where I can mentor and guide enthusiastic, goal-driven stylists because that was the gift shared with me and I would love to give my all to those who strive to be a better version of themselves!
Comments are closed.