Conversations with the Inspiring Tina Montes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tina Montes.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Tina. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My story isn’t so complex. Before my hairdressing career, I was a retail store manager for GUESS at the San Ysidro Las Americas outlet mall. I had been in retail for close to ten years and began managing at the age of 16 for footlocker. Running a store is a lot of responsibility. I managed payroll, operations, visual merchandising, training, promote, develop, shipment, HR, marketing and much more. My GUESS store is 24.5 million dollars annually. My location housed the district manager, so the expectation of our location is very high. Constantly under pressure for perfection.

In my position, I like to be challenged therefore the pressure is what I needed to raise the bar for my fellow managers. I took pride in my store. I was in the top 25 stores in the world!! Best time of my retail career. Each department reflected what I stood for. I believe in my team, but perfection comes with many mistakes. Having such a large store, I can only spread myself so far. Having the support of my co-managers and assistant managers helped with delegating the responsibilities properly. It takes teamwork to build a successful foundation. Teamwork divides up the task and multiplies successes. Training and developing is where I blossom the most. My trainees see me as their mentor. They want to get to a point in their career where they are managing their own store. Employees and managers thought they were being trained but in exchange gave me the experience I needed as a manager to learn and grow. I felt so fulfilled to see other people’s dreams come true. I came to a point in my retail career where I was making everyone else’s dream come true but not my own.

As much as I love managing my own store, I was stuck at a store managers position. Working for a large company like GUESS you can only get so far in the company before thinking twice about moving up to corporate. Without any college degree or simply knowing someone in corporate, I knew it was my time to go. I thought to myself, I love people, fashion, hair, makeup and money. What should I do???? Well, I’ll be damned, I’m going to be a hairdresser!! As much as I knew I would miss managing, I knew it was time for me to make my dreams come true. I never looked back. With LOTS of sacrifices, I went to beauty school full time.

I’m a third generation hairdresser. My grandma was a hairdresser and my uncle is a platform artist for Toni & Guy. I began my hairdressing career at the age of 24. I attended Palomar Institute of cosmetology. While attending beauty school I was able to try out for an extended program. We were given a surprise competition “runway up-do.” Students were judged by a salon owner and two Eufora educators. I competed and passed. During this eight weeks extended course, I was introduced to Eufora. I had never heard of this company before. My first class was the eight essential steps to financial success. My thoughts, SYSTEMS!!! I love systems. I’m used to systems coming from a retail systematic company. The educator was a fellow alumni student. When she began her class and told us her story, I thought this is it!!!!!!! This is how I can give back. I can be an educator. Taking the master stylist program developed me into the stylist I am today. I was so nervous on the clinic floor thinking to myself; how do I conduct a service with a client? How do I keep track of money? Who can I ask for help? This course answered all my questions and much more. While taking this class, I decided to start scoping out exclusive Eufora salons. I made goals before graduating. I knew once I graduated from beauty school my goal was to get licensed, find a Eufora salon, and find a MENTOR. I failed my first practical exam at the state board. That didn’t stop me. The same day I filled out another application, paid the fee and mailed it right back. My second time was a piece of cake. I can honestly say I was overly cautious my first time testing.

I’ve been professionally licensed since 2010. I started my career in Temecula, California at “Acappella hair design and color studio”. I assisted the owner Sherri Carlton. Sherri has all the aspirations I see in my self. I began to study her, not just professionally but personally as well. I thought, wow a woman who works 12 to 14 hours, double booked all day 6 days a week and still has a personal life, runs a business and is able to spread herself amongst everyone who depends on her. Sherri is a strong, independent and humble women. She is the 10% of hairdressers that make six figures and performs with integrity. I take pride in assisting/managing for Sherri. I wouldn’t be the hairdresser I am today without her. When I began assisting Sherri, she made it mandatory for all assistance to attend one weekly educational in-salon class and our monthly huddles. It was engraved at the beginning of my career how important furthering your education is in the hair industry. I was privileged enough to be taught by global educator Kevin Bryan once a week. I became a Eufora elite certified member in 2011. After a year, it was time for me to spread my wings, I was ready for the floor. During my transition, my personal life changed and I moved to San Diego. I relocated to Carlsbad, CA. I came in as a commission stylist.

In 2013, I applied and became a Eufora Regional Educator. Being an educator gave me the fulfillment I had been missing since leaving retail management. Spring of 2014, I decided to go into business for myself & become an independent hairdresser. During my transition to being an owner, I found another passion, eyelash extensions. I trained and got certified through JB Lashes. My passions have collided to a beautiful career that has endless opportunities. I opened my own studio in December 2017 in the heart of Carlsbad Village. I never stop making goals & following through. Dreams only end when you stop believing.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
With any success story comes struggles and obstacles one must overcome to get full gratification in the peek of their career. I really struggled with color formulation & was afraid to ask for help or guidance. It wasn’t til my 2nd year in the industry I had a color correction and didn’t properly plan for it or do a thorough consultation, therefore, it showed in my work. After that service, I dedicated myself to three color classes that year to understand the chemistry of color. Continue your education by attending as many classes as possible. It helped me build confidence & speed behind the chair.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I specialize in the latest color techniques, as well as dimensional color, custom blending, and color correction. I excel in precision cutting and men’s barbering.

I’m most known for color correction & custom coloring (balayage, baby~lights, Ombré). I’m also a perfectionist when servicing my eyelash clients. I’m a detailed oriented Artist who takes the time to customize each experience for my guests to create their desired look.
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I’m most proud of my extension to Kreative By Tina, KBT Lash Lounge was established in April 2016. I trained and certified with JB Lashes. I’m a professional who takes the time to create a comfortable, creative and customer experience for every guest.

Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
For a young hairdresser starting their career be authentic, set goals with realistic expectations, love what you do with INTEGRITY!! A huge confidence builder & guide through the industry is finding a mentor. Someone who is willing to share their successes and failures to help you be the best at your craft. This is a HUGE part of my success. Find a mentor that exhibits the same career you drive to obtain. Continue to further your education. It doesn’t stop once you graduate school. I’ve made advance education my first priority. I have devoted myself to attending leading classes & academies to further my craft and level of service to my guests.

Pricing:

• Women’s haircut $55 (includes wash & style)
• Men’s barber haircut $30 (includes 7 min scalp massage, hot towel wrap & style)
• Balayage $130+ (custom coloring)
• Highlights $105-$150 (toner not included)
• Classic eyelash extensions full Set $157 (individual/single lashes)
• Hybrid eyelash extensions full set $178 (individual/single & cluster lashes)
• Volume eyelash extensions full set $184 (consistent volume lashes)
• Royal flat eyelash extensions full set $160 (individual/single flat lash.enhances length & volume)
• Custom volume eyelash extensions full set $195 (customized volume lashes)
• lash lift $63 (results last 6-8 weeks)

Contact Info:

• Address: 2933 Roosevelt street
  Carlsbad, CA 92008
  (Rooftop)
• Website: WWW.kreativebytina.com
• Phone: 760-685-1494
• Email: kreativebytina@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/KreativeByTina/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KreativeByTina/

Image Credit:
Kreative by Tina

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