Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyson Passey.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My name is Tyson Passey and this is a rather reduced story about how I arrived to be the owner of TYSON An Urban Hair Lounge 2016 and 2017 Beacon Readers Choice Salon of the Year for Ocean Beach and Point Loma. After high school I shipped off from Arizona to Gonzaga University in Spokane to pursue a business degree. I was captain of the rowing team and off I paddled. After a couple years of snow, something very foreign to an Arizona lad. I decided to move back to Arizona to attend Northern Arizona University and again continue with a business degree. I was a member of SAE fraternity and held several offices. This disrupted my studies but enhanced my social life.
Eventually, I ended back down in the valley in the business school at ASU. Toward the end of this venture, I decided to get a degree in Kinesiology so I packed my bags and off to Chicago I went. No matter where I went fashion, design and appearance was always very important to me.so now with all this college, I still was not happy. I knew deep down that I wanted to do hair. I moved to San Diego and started hair school. After graduating Valedictorian of hair and attending Vidal Sassoon Academy I went to work at a local salon. During my first year of doing hair, I was awarded “Stylist of the Year” in OB/Pt. Loma… After 5 years of working there, I became a barber a started TYSON, An Urban Hair Lounge. The Lounge has three stylists, two who are barbers also. I am booked three weeks out generally.
I started TYSON because I decided the only way I could truly give clients what I had to offer was to open my own salon, in my own fashion with one thing in mind. I wanted clients to have a unique experience when they walked through my door. We provide great service and listen to what client’s goals are when it comes to their hair. The clients enjoy a relaxing peaceful environment while receiving services. They are usually the only client maybe two at most at a time because I like our clients to enjoy privacy and confidentiality.
In addition to my salon work, I also work for a private hospice organization where I do in-home services to individuals who are terminally ill or unable to get out of their home for services. I find this job to be very rewarding because I feel everyone regardless of their life needs should receive pampering and someone to make them feel special I also teach cutting courses. Finally, I volunteer cutting hair for a local teenage charity for kids who get kicked out of their houses for being gay.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As far as obstacles and challenges in the process of starting one’s own business I found my best tool was a positive can-do attitude. Before I opened TYSON An Urban Hair Lounge in Ocean Beach I worked at another salon to see how salons operate. I was present as an employee but was also observing how management maintained the daily routine in an organized manner and also how the employees dealt with their own clientele. I also worked at the front desk setting appointments and hearing feedback from the clientele.
There is a lot of managing and working in a hair salon and you have to be aware of state laws as well. The biggest challenge is organizing your client’s appointments, bookkeeping, ordering product and providing the best services so your clients want to come back. If you do your homework ahead of time the obstacles and challenges can be reduced. Again a good attitude, lots of energy and a desire to serve the public is key. This is a business and my business background defiantly helped me get TYSON to where it is today. I find many stylists do not thrive because they focus only on “the art” and not the business portion. This means marketing and being totally reliable and consistent.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about TYSON An Urban Hair Lounge – what should we know?
I started as a stylist so I am proficient in cutting and coloring of women and men. I specialize in the Brazilian Blowout Treatment. I use the Goldwell products from Germany which I find to be the best out there. I get rave reviews on hot shaves for men as well as men’s cuts. Most of all I make my clients feel special (because they are). I don’t just blindly take on new clients either, I always meet with them first for a thorough consultation to ensure we are a proper fit.
What sets me apart from another salon or barbershop is that I am an upscale, small boutique salon with a private setting… Also, once every two weeks a plastic surgeon is at the salon for botox and fillers that many of my clients partake in. They like that they can have their hair done while enjoying a glass of wine, beer, water, tea or whiskey and also get rid of their wrinkles. I am currently also coming out with my own line of skin and hair products specifically formulated to give people exactly what is best for their hair and skin
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My mother and father deserve credit or always pushing me and giving me the confidence to succeed.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2187 Sunset Cliffs Blvd
- Website: www.TYSONHAIR.com
- Phone: 6196062418
- Email: tysonpassey@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tysonanurbanhairlounge/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tysonurbanlounge/
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