Today we’d like to introduce you to Shamona Thomas.
Shamona, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I received my cosmetology license two months before I graduated from high school in March of 2001 from Judson Cosmetology School. I started my career servicing patrons at Fantastic Sam’s for three years where I learned precision cutting and excellent customer service skills. Here was the foundation of me perfecting my craft as hairstylist and business woman. For a short period of time (four years) I was enlisted in the United States Army where I managed the logistics of military equipment, in this time and occupational service is also where I learned to serve my fellow battle buddies and my country. Upon discharging from the military honorably in 2007, I went back to my first love…hair! I was also in college at the same time attending San Antonio College, but working in a salon was too demanding of my time as I was a single mother of two girls. I decided to do hair from my home, soliciting clients from Craigslist and word of mouth, and I was able to balance work, school, and family life. This is where the name of my salon was given birth, “Shamona’s House of Styles”, as I worked from my house and gave customers great styles offering personal one on one service. I was so busy that hair was in my refrigerator and I decided it was time to move the salon to a more professional environment. After four months of working from my house I opened my first salon suite In San Antonio at Truesdell Salon Suites, I officially became a woman of business and I was very proud of myself and how I had evolved in my career. In 2012 I graduated from San Antonio College with my Associates Degree in Microbiology. In June of 2013 I moved to Houston to seek better business opportunity in the beauty industry. I stepped out on faith and open my second salon suite at Blue Lion Salon Studios in the Galleria Area. I had no clientele and $300.00 that my mom gave me. I sent my children to their fathers for the summer, and I hustled and grind on the streets of Houston to get people in my chair. I worked social media, bars, clubs, and shopping malls so hard that after three month’s time I had over 150 plus clients. Six years later I still stand working hard in my salon suite.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
In business it is not always easy. One of my biggest challenges in this industry was getting clients to understand that I am running a business, and while I love hair it is not a hobby, but it pays my bills. So, getting clients to come to appointments promptly, not ask for discounts, contact me only during business took some grooming on both my part and the client’s part, because people will do only what you let them do. Once I got the system down, it started to work like a well-oiled machine, and not only do my recurring clients know my expectations so do new prospective clients.
We’d love to hear more about Shamona’s House of Styles.
I specialize in healthy hair first. In addition to that I work on all types of hair, most of my clientele are natural, but I also do precision cutting, treatments, extensions, chemical services, color, and special occasions. Most of the compliments I receive are that I start on time and get you out of the chair in a timely manner while still offering quality service. I educate my clients on at home hair care maintenance, and always carrying myself in a professional manner.
Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
I use an online booking app Styleseat, I subscribe to several beauty business building blogs, and any books if any are available.
Contact Info:
- Address: 8401 Westheimer Ste. 120 Studio 305
Houston, Texas 77063 - Website: www.shamonashoh.com
- Phone: 2102690930
- Email: shamonashos@gmail.com
- Instagram: monadcoiffeur
- Facebook: Shamona’s House of Styles
- Twitter: @ShamonaJoiner
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