Meet Tina Garcia

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

Hi Tina, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My original thought process behind starting my own business was to have the freedom and flexibility to create my own schedule and be able to work around my kids’ schedules. I am a mom and I wanted to be able to be there for my kids and all of the important things in our busy lives. The salon I had been working in had very strict policy on no “split shifts”, meaning I had to work straight through and could not leave and come back into work. I wanted to take the kids to school, volunteer in classes when I could, and pick them up from school. This salon would not go for me leaving to pick them up after school and come back in when my husband came home.
One day at home I came across an old notebook that had my SMART goals in it from when I had started out in the business. I wanted to own my own salon by the time I was 30 years old. I knew if I kept on where I was, working for other people and letting them dictate my schedule, I was never going to achieve my goals. I took the leap and started my own business and rented a booth from another salon. I was 27 at the time.
I stayed at that salon for 3 years until they raised my rent 41%, then a group of us decided to open our own salon. We opened 3 weeks later, a month after I turned 30. Now, 14 years later, I am the sole owner of that same salon. I have plans for expansion and am excited for what the future holds!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In my business, I get the luxury of creating beautiful works of art on every canvas that sits in my chair. What sets me apart is that I listen intently to my guests as they describe what it is that they want, what they like about their hair and what they don’t like. I listen to them and learn about their lifestyle, their routine with their hair and their expectations and the reality of giving them what they want and can replicate at home. All the while I am listening to what the hair is telling me, I move the hair around and look at it and feel it and see how it behaves, how it moves and lays, and the direction it grows. The hair tells me almost as much as what the person does. From all of this I get the knowledge on how I am going to cut and style the hair to enhance the natural beauty and movement that the hair has. Throughout my career I have learned many lessons, and have really honed in on my skills and I always keep it real with my guests. If there is something they want that I cannot reproduce, I am very honest and together we come up with an alternative that works for both of us. I like to underpromise and over deliver in my finished product, meaning whatever I say I can do, I want to produce that, and go above and beyond expectations. I love making people happy and helping them to realize their own beauty. I have accomplished a lot in my career through hard work, active listening and use of interpersonal communication, training and education. Experience has helped mold me into the beauty professional that I am today. It was not always easy, it still isn’t. Long hours and plenty of hard work have gotten me to this place in my career and I’m not even close to being finished! This profession is hard on the body, and on the mind. I love what I do and I am living my dreams, and pursuing my passion. I always want to learn more, to do more, and to help my guests in every way possible.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting we would have to spend a few days and evenings out and about here in Longmont. We are so fortunate to have a thriving downtown right now, there are amazing little coffee shops like Juniper Goods and Meco Coffee house, Ziggi’s and CaveGirl Coffee House, to name just a few of my favorite. We would have to go to a new one each day, as they all offer such different inviting atmospheres. The little boutiques downtown that need to be shopped are Adorn and Adornables, Juniper Goods, Ivy Rose, A Florae, Flower Wild and Primitive Country Loft House. They all have such cute clothes, collectibles, and unique gifts that these places are not to be overlooked. My favorite restaurants are Rosa’s Cantina, 99 Saloon, Jefe’s and the Roost. Urban Field Pizza and Smackdaddy Pizza are wonderful spots as well. Las Palmeras Taqueira is another great option. Going out to watch the game, Buffalo Wild Wings is the perfect spot for the game time action and great food, no matter which team you are going for. Estes Park is a must, walking around downtown and shopping, you have to stop in for some ice cream and of course the fudge! Fishing in Kremmling cannot be beat, and soaking in the Hot Springs in Glenwood is a must! Hiking or trail riding on the Switzerland Trail is a great place to see some wildlife. Paddle boarding at Union Reservoir with the dogs and paddling with them to the dog park, and/or doing the full paddle is a must. Catching a show at Red Rocks is an absolute treat, the beauty and sound are like nothing else! Pearl Street in Boulder is always a good time day or night.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The people who deserve the most credit are my family. My husband has been nothing shy of supportive throughout my entire career. We are high school sweethearts and I went through beauty school while still in high school. He was a huge support to me while in school and beyond. My dad was a huge factor in me graduating and following my dreams, even being my model so I could pass my “baby boards” to make sure I was ready for my state boards. When I decided to start my own business, my husband was right there with me encouraging me all the way. Then a group of us decided to open our salon, we were all in, our families helping and a few of us became a large extended family. It was a huge decision for my family, and ultimately the best thing I could have done. My clients are all so amazing and supportive, I would not have ever been able to progress in my career without all of my amazing, loyal clientele. Fast forward to being the sole owner now, my family and my extended work family, and my clients have been the absolute Best! They have helped in every aspect possible with making my dreams a reality. My family has stepped up yet again for me from putting together furniture, cleaning, helping plan and set up events all while being here 100%. I couldn’t ask for a better support system! I truly am blessed to be surrounded by these amazing people that encourage and support and love me!

Website: https://www.station336.com

Instagram: @station_336_salon, @tina.hair.336

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-garcia-1b8b95105

Facebook: Station 336 Salon, Tina Garcia @ Station 336 Salon