Meet Tri’Meca Wilburn

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tri’Meca Wilburn.

Tri’Meca, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Well, I have always loved the hustle and bustle of the salon since I was a child. From the way the salon smelled, the chatter, the laughter and the smiles on the women faces once their services were completed. Also, the vendors selling hair products, purses, and clothes was thrilling to me. It was like the salon was its own little town.

Fast forward, I graduated from high school and went to college. While in college I started doing my own hair because money was scarce. I started falling in love with trying different styles. The more styles I could do the more I fell in love with doing hair and less with college. Then I got pregnant with my daughter so I stopped going to school and entered the workforce full time at a hospital. Being a unit secretary was ok for a little while but I knew it was not what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a hairstylist and makeup artist. I could sit for hours practicing different techniques and practicing on family and friends. I loved during hair but it just never seemed like the right time, being a single mother with a full time job. So I told myself if I ever got the opportunity to go to cosmetology school I would not hesitate. So several years in the medical industry and now 2 kids later. God blessed me with that opportunity to go to school. So, in 2010 I enrolled in Paul Mitchell the School Atlanta. I graduated in a year took my exam and went straight into a salon. I have met some amazing people since then and gained friends that I consider family. I worked as an assistant, in shops for hourly pay and commission. Then in the fall of 2017, I applied for a commission position at a salon that is owned by a fellow Paul Mitchell graduate Kali. Kali welcomed me with open arms and I loved it.

By Jan 2018 I was a booth renter. That was such an amazing feeling. I know most people might think it was crazy that I was excited to pay booth rent. But for me this meant I had accomplished several goals and I had an active clientele. Business was great and then in the summer of 2019 the owner of the salon decided to relocate the salon. This is when I was offered an opportunity to rent one of the salon owner’s private salon Suite. I gladly took it and it has been great for me, besides offering hair and make up services. I can also sale $5 jewelry. I’ve been learning a lot about myself and who I want to be. My journey is far from over, but all fear has been taken off the table.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, the road hasn’t always been smooth but it hasn’t been horrible either. I think the hardest thing for me was building a clientele. There were times when it seems like I was growing in my business and then it would start to slow. I started thinking I was doing things wrong. Then I started reaching out to clients and started to understand that life had changed for them. Whether it was finances, illness, death, or moving away. So I’ve learned I have to constantly work on building, learning and growing. In this industry, you have endless possibilities and financial growth. However, we can also have an extreme loss. My job is to make women feel good about themselves while in my chair and once they leave it to go and face whatever this world throws their way. But when their finances are not stable most of the time, getting their hair done is not the priority. Also, most of my clientele is relaxer free, so in the hotter months, visits slow down as well. So I’m always thinking of ways to keep my clientele growing.

Please tell us about your business.
Tri’Meca La’ Tara Hair Studio is a cozy private salon suite. I am best known for producing beautiful silk presses, healthy, and shiny hair. I also specialize in custom colors, designer cuts, bonded weaves, and makeup services. I also sell beautiful $5 jewelry.

I pride myself on being a stylist that cares for my client’s mental health as well as there hair. My clients check on me and I check on them. Their support keeps me smiling daily. I never dread going to work. In those 1-2 hour appointments we laugh, cry, vent, and encourage one another. Most of my business now comes from my client’s referrals because they believe in me and what I can do for women.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I could start over, ”I would have pushed fear aside and went to cosmetology school earlier,” I would have listened to the voice in my head that told me to go after my dream,” I would have invested in me.”

Contact Info:

• Address: 1950 Satellite Blvd Duluth, GA 30097
• Website: www.vagara.com/trimecalatarahairstudio
• Phone: 404-587-7545
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: trimeca_latara_hairstudio
• Facebook: Styles by TriMeca LaTara

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