The Diamond Salon

Attention HAIRBOOS,

Tongela will be away on a much needed vacation until July 28th. Until then, you can still use the booking site to book, adjust, or cancel appointments. She will be unavailable to take calls or respond to texts until her return. She can’t wait to see you at your next salon visit:)

TongelaCurry.GlossGenius.com

I remember writing out my business plan while birthing the vision of my 1st business almost 15 years ago!!! “Doing hair” has been in my heart since I was a little girl playing with dolls but who knew there was an entrepreneur being groomed along the journey? The older I got, I knew what I wanted out of life and it never seemed to line up with what everyone else wanted for me. I literally had dreams to do a MILLION things!!! I committed to chasing my dreams but by establishing a solid foundation at each step.

I served in the military (active duty Army). I graduated from college (Accounting & Small Business Management/Entrepreneurship). I went to cosmetology school. I found ways to take classes for EVERYTHING I’ve EVER been interested in. Somehow, God granted access to rooms that I was not qualified to be in…even befriended people at the top of their game in multiple industries. God is AMAZING y’all!!!

I saw how things worked (good/bad)…especially in the beauty industry! After graduating cosmetology school, I struggled to find a salon to work in that felt like HOME. I needed a place that would allow me to be creative with unlimited growth potential (without the traditional in-house gossip, jealousy, or competitive rankings that stifle growth). Soooooo, I opened my own salon!!! ME, an unknown!!!! I wanted to create a safe space for my staff & our guests for EVERYONE to be a free spirited soul.

The Diamond salon became a staple QUICKLY! Once upon a time, we were the ONLY salon in Arkansas who had brand ambassadors, who hosted educational opportunities with international educators & product knowledge classes with brand partners (for ALL professionals…not just my staff), who hosted monthly trainings to help staff chase THEIR dreams, who held events & hosted parties, & we were the 1st in the state to do a 24hr Hair-a-thon!

The 1st TWO years, The Diamond Salon resided in a 1400 sqft building. The next TWO years, we expanded to over 4000 sqft and offered unmatched services from licensed cosmetologists, a barber, a nail tech, an esthetician, a massage therapist, a wax specialist & henna artist, a trichologist, & we even had a room for teeth whitening & a storefront boutique.

Things were great…until they weren’t! Staff came and went. It’s a humbling experience to hear the people you called “friends” gossip about you and try to destroy what you created. But let me tell you a crazy thing about God. I was STILL invested in THEM & still wish the best for them but it took a literal FIRE to cut all ties. Yup, an arsonist targeted one of my teammates. That could’ve been the end of The Diamond Salon…BUT GOD! I could write a book on all the beauty industry experiences I survived….in fact I did in 2016 (still available on Amazon & Barnes & Noble).

I NEVER saw myself in a suite but in 2016, the fire forced me to do a “temporary” move. I moved into the Sola Salons and I never left…and have been in love ever since! My landlord & suite-mates are FAMILY. It seemed to be too good to be true when I 1st moved in….but they are STILL amazing 10 years later!!!

So, on this day, I love to reflect on EVERYTHING I’ve been through along the journey to celebrate FOURTEEN YEARS with a brick & mortar business….something everyone told be was too big of a dream! It’s easy to say that I did it alone but if I were to list ALL of the support I’ve had for 14 years, there wouldn’t be enough space! I’m just one girl from a small town in Arkansas who never wanted to fit in anyone’s box who doesn’t wish to be put on anyone’s pedestal but who does wish to be proof that having a big heart & love for everyone’s dream IS a gift that keeps on giving. You do NOT have to be like everyone else…trust me!

This young lady, who wanted to open her own accounting firm, bakery, & daycare…somehow settled on the one career that everyone told me not to (as they considered it more of a hustle & not a career). I wouldn’t change a thing! I STILL love going to work EVERYDAY. I have the best clients (my HairBoos). I literally get to do what I love EVERYDAY with the freedom I always dreamed about.

I looked it up and according to Numerology, the # 14 is often associated with:
-Change & adaptability
-Independence balanced w/responsibility
-Freedom, travel, & learning through experiences. Since 1+4=5, it carries the energy of the # 5, which symbolizes adventure & transformation.

Well, I receive ALL of that! So, in honor of The Diamond Salon turning 14 today, I pray that YOU chase your wildest dreams!!!

To EVERY person who has ever prayed, received services, referred people, shared our details, partnered or worked with us, or just wished us well, I thank YOU from the bottom of my heart:) May God continue to bless us all!