Meet Tiara Garica | Owner, Tiara’s Hair Salon

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tiara Garica and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tiara, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I consider risk the ultimate push towards a goal. If you go into any situation with a mindset of non failure, you can beat risk. Risk is the sacrifice you make to achieve any goal. I always tell myself instead of looking at how much money will be put out towards starting a business, think of the future of pouring successes. Its a one time investment or “risk” in a future, or a goal. Without the risk of “failure” you wouldn’t have the drive to NOT FAIL. I keep failure in the back of my head. I took the risk to open my business, But I don’t give myself or my business the chance to fail.
Businesses don’t fail, people fail. The impatience of business owners will fail you. It takes a lot of dedication, risk, motivation & patience. People think opening a business is turning the “open” sign on and people will come running. It takes time.
If I could give any prospect business any advice, it would be TO TAKE THE RISK! what do you have to lose?

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a licensed cosmetologist, I am always trying to provide education to my employees to stay up to date with the newest and latest trends. You are only as good as your tools/ education. I am always expanding my brand with techniques. I offer classes in my salon for other stylist/ salon owners and for my employees.
I have learned you cannot please every single customer/ client. And if you are constantly trying to change who you are to adapt to your client, those clients are not for you or your business. The choice to choose which salon a person goes to is personal. The relationship between a client & stylist is a bond. You either click or you don’t. I don’t force anything.
I went to beauty school at 17 years old. I stayed extra hours and long days at the school. I really wanted to finish early. From there I renovated my garage to a mini salon. I had no clients, I took the risk, invested in the tools, supplies and renovation. I would advertise myself on the internet & pass out flyers at the mall parking lot. From there word of mouth and next thing I know i was so busy.
I outgrew my home salon and decided im going to do the real thing and started looking for locations. I DID IT i signed a 5 year lease. My doors have been open for 4.5 years and I currently employ 5 employees 6 including myself.
I own my own eyelashes and adhesive “Tiara Lashes” I ship throughout the US. I also have my own clothing shirts with hair sayings on them. Not only am I a business owner but im a wife, and mother to 3. If i can do it, anyone can.
I dont give up, some days the salon is extremely busy and others is slow. Thats the gamble with owning a business. You count your blessings when busy. and you learn to enjoy your slow times to get caught up.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I enjoy going to places where the atmosphere is inviting, warm and clean. If someone was visiting my state I would definitely take them to see the sandia mountains. Stop from a coffee at dutch bros because their service is superior.
I would take them to “Sawmill” its a open space with lots of vendors and restaurants inside. Its up to date, very trendy, fun & you can try multiple types of food in one spot.
I would take them for a cruise down “central” we can see a lot of our culture down there. its historic & shows our native side of NM. for a nice dinner I would take them to Vernons Hidden steakhouse, it is absolutely elegant & highclass. They give you a skit performance when you enter, its by appointment only & its a hidden location.
Also another great place to go is Santa Fe NM. tons of culture and mini shops its old and historic with beautiful cathedral churches.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I always support a strong woman owned business. I admire a woman who takes the initiative to jump right into responsibility. We’ve came a long way as a society & women are now being recognized as public figures, or women of power & strength. I admire Melinda Wetzel who owns “Other Mothers” in Albuquerque NM. She has been open for many years and is always giving back to the community. Its a non judgmental company who is striving to help any parent with second hand clothing/ cheap diapers/ toys etc. She is always growing her name & brand. I admire a woman who steps up to the challenge.

Website: www.tiarashairsalon.com

Instagram: tiarashairsalon

Facebook: tiarashairsalon

Yelp: tiarahairsalon