Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonya Talamantes.
Hi Sonya, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I always laugh because my story starts with humble beginnings that sound really cliche: a small-town girl from New Mexico with big dreams of moving to a bigger city. My mother was a single parent of 3, trying her hardest to provide for us paycheck to paycheck. I admire what strength & determination she had to keep going through many impossible hurdles; this is the reason I am such a driven, hardworking, and determined woman I am today. To me, she showed me that I could obtain anything I set my mind to, provide my own financial security, and, when I have setbacks, learn from them and try again.
She encouraged me to attend college even if I didn’t know what I wanted to major in. My senior year in high school I joined our school broadcast news channel and participated in theatre. So along with taking my college required courses I decided to take some theatre courses. This sparked an interest that I never knew would take me so far! I ended up specializing in Costume design and theatrical makeup, thinking in the future, I’d go to work in film and television.
After I graduated, I moved to Oceanside, CA, where my brother was living with dreams of starting my career in film. I enrolled in a Professional Makeup School in Hollywood to learn beauty and special fx makeup, once I completed that course, I was at a standstill. It was really difficult to work in LA (film) without working for free or knowing someone. So, in order to provide for myself, I started working freelance as a makeup artist for various cosmetic companies, department stores, and various fashion shows.
It was there at a department store that I met the lady who would change the course of my career. She was the owner of a salon, and she was impressed by my customer service and talent. She asked if I had ever thought about working in a salon. Which never crossed my mind because I wasn’t really girly (Tomboy) but more of an artist. So, I found a job working as a salon coordinator and makeup artist for my first salon and never looked back. Fast forward to today with 18 yrs in the beauty industry, now a new salon owner of her home salon of 16 yrs in the heart of Del Mar at Haim Salon.
As a Master stylist and Owner, she has attended advanced training courses on hair cutting from nationally recognized institutions such as Vidal Sassoon Academy, Eufora International, Tony & Guy, celebrity artists Ted Gibson, Riwana Capri, and many more. Sonya further pursued advanced training in many advanced coloring techniques from Eufora, Redken, Wella, Davines, Schwarzkopf, Nine Zero One, and Mane Ivy. She has worked with various celebrities from The Housewives of Miami, Melora Hardin, Ariana Huffington, Cheri Oteri, Rapsody, and more.
Sonya’s expertise lies in her precision short hair cutting, natural dimensional hair coloring, and Makeup Artistry. She continually participates within the production industry, collaborating in Photo shoots, NYFW, Fashion Shows, editorial magazine features, Television, and running her business. Sonya’s determination to continually stay relevant in the industry exemplifies what it means to reach for the stars.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Most of this is written in my first question. But nothing that’s worth doing is ever easy. It’s the trials that make you become who you are, and it’s unavoidable. Growth cannot happen without struggle
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
With 31 years in the business, our mission is to provide our customers with quality salon products and services that exceed their expectations. We strive to be the best in our field, setting the standard for quality and innovation. Our goal is to create a meaningful customer experience through our commitment to excellence. We value our customers, our employees, and our community, believing that with their support, we will continue to grow and succeed.
Our mission at Haim Salon is to create a luxurious experience for our clients by providing high-end salon services in a warm, inviting, and comfortable atmosphere. We strive to make our clients look and feel their best and to ensure that each visit is an enjoyable and memorable one.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Our industry is always evolving, as are the artists in this industry. I am happy where the industry has come thus far. We have created a better professional standard that has elevated our approach to business and customer service. I suppose with AI technology I can only assume that the science of product development will get better and better, our consciousness of health and environment will become a priority and we will prioritize the approach to clean beauty.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.haimltdsalon.com
- Instagram: @haim.salon/ @sonyatalmantes
Image Credits
Paige Lauren Powell
