Meet Monti Morris of The Full Monti Naturalites in East Point

Today we’d like to introduce you to The Full Monti of Natural Hair.

The Full Monti, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My journey started back in 2006, I was a bill collector, one of the best, but I wanted a way out. I enjoyed doing locs, and natural hair but felt like it was going to be too hard to build a clientele, pay bills, and go to school for my license at the same time. So I continued to work as a bill collector, and do hair on the side. My barber (at the time) asked me to touch up his locs 1 time, and while doing so he was saying I needed to be in a shop. I told him that I didn’t have licensing but I would love to do it full time. He gave the number to Taliah Waajid Natural Hair Care Center and told me to talk to Ayo. At the time she had already left the salon and was on her own, so they forwarded me her number. I went in and auditioned for her, she was so impressed that she started me to work for her the very next day. I worked with her for about 5 months, then we separated. I went back into collections. This time doing 3rd party car repossessions.

One day, I decided to stop by the salon and speak with the manager. I met a lady named Mitzie, the salon manager (Amin Taliah’s brother) wasn’t in at the time. Not knowing that she was Taliah’s right-hand lady. I was told that he would contact me. When he contacted me, I did an audition for him, using Ayo as my model. He was impressed, and I was hired on the spot. After working there about 6 months, and going through Taliah’s Boot camp, I became the salon’s head stylist. I began to work the natural Hair Shows as a platform stylist for Taliah’s booth. I would co-teach classes with Ayo.

After leaving the salon, in 2011, I was going to move back to Va., but was convinced, from a friend, to stay here in Ga. and get my license here. I enrolled into Atlanta Tech., continued to work with Taliah at the Hair Show. Personally being selected by Taliah to be one of her 5 stylists, (the only male) on her professional elite styling team. While on the team I started teaching “I’m natural now what”, class at the natural hair show alone. In July 2014, I coordinated, and hosted the main stage, while also teaching 2 classes at her 1st annual Natural hair and healthcare show in N.Y City’s Time Square! Entertainment on the stage included things such as, “Let’s make a deal” natural hair edition, Braid down (who can do the quickest braids), and a fashion show using the garments, and accessories from vendors on the floor. I have worked in a few salons along my journey. I also shared a suite with Ayo in the very building, he started working for her in back in 2006 (talk about full circle).

Has it been a smooth road?
During my journey, I have had many obstacles. I have been through a few salons. I have had stylists lie on me, salon owners to loc me and my client inside the salon. It is very difficult to work with an artist. Artists can take things very personal. I have been fired from salons for being late and left salons for being called out of my name from the owner. I have had business partners leave me and start their own companies. I was evicted from my apartment after my car was repossessed.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
In 2012, The Full Monti Brand, TFM Brand was born. TFM Brand the parent company of many brands under it. Statement Tees is the tee shirt line that has sayings such as, “The only thing relaxed about me is my energy”, “Bald, bold and Beautiful”, and MY Hair is NOT my character”, just to name a few. My Qua’Fee and My Qua’Fee Cap, the hydrating cap. Tress Case, the hydrating sleeping case, and The Elixur Hydration System, a skin, scalp and hair oil.

I have been published in magazines such as Encore Mag, Jane, and Social Diary Digest. I have been published and was a contributing columnist for ModelsMag, where I wrote about healthy natural hair, styling, and politics. I have created wigs, and worked with such designers as, The house of Van Miller International, Raphael Cox, Rico Chappel, and celebrities like, Artist Nicki Minaj, supermodel Jessica White, International recording artist Buttah B Rocka, and actress April Parker (from Tyler Perry’s “If loving you is wrong”), just to name a few.

In April 2016, The Full Monti invaded the U.K, with my 1st annual “The Full Monti Boot camp”, where I officially taught over 20 my Natural hair and extension techniques. This Boot camp offers the attendees the ability to learn basic, and advanced techniques and skills proven to boost business revenue 50%. In march 2017, The Full Monti Naturalcation Boot Camp will be back in U.K!

I officially opened up The Full Monti Naturalites Salon, 2941 Legion Way East Point, Ga 30334, in July 2016. A Complete Personalized Natural Hair Care Experience, Where Healthy hair is always in Style. My salon specializes in Transitioning, Growth, and thickening. We use healthy “No-Knot” weaving techniques when adding extensions, reassuring your clients minimum shedding, and tension, and stress on the client’s natural tresses. They WILL have their edges!

I teach classes every other Tuesday and Sunday out of a classroom in buck head. Tuesday classes look and learn only, while Sunday classes are hands-on.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Atlanta is a great place of opportunity, regardless of your line or work. I believe if you can make here, you will do great in other places. The pressure or success is great here, and the demand for all services are high.

Contact Info:

• Address: 2941 Legion Way East Point Ga 30344
• Website: www.tfmbrand.com
• Phone: 678.791.9142
• Email: tfmbrand@gmail.com
• Instagram: tfmnaturalites and tfmbrand
• Facebook: tfmbrand
• Twitter: tfmnaturalites
• Yelp: tfmnaturalites

Image Credit:
1st pic:
Model: Mandisa
Hair/Makeup: The Full Monti of Natural Hair
Photography: Will of Lyark Films

2nd and 3rd pic:
MODEL: Shana (1st), Shay (2nd)
Photo: BlackTie Photography
Makeup : JAllen
Designer: The House of Van Miller International
Hair: The Full Monti of Natural Hair

4th pic:
model: Butta B Rocka
make-up: Paris Murphy

5th pic:
model: Jessica white

8th pic:
model: Allie
makeup: Ariel Artistry
photo:imagery by malik