Today we’d like to introduce you to Latosha Thornton.
Hi Latosha, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story has many twists and turns… I probably should have started my career directly out of high school as I’ve always had a love for the beauty industry. I was quite shy to those I didn’t know and so insecure about myself and my ability to please others. I instead went into serving tables, got married, had babies, what all women are supposed to do, right??? Not this girl…. After I had my son in 2008, I knew immediately I had to have a way to provide for them as I could feel my marriage wasn’t the healthiest. I went into beauty school immediately after he was born in 2008. I went to school full-time, kept a part-time job at the college I was attending while having a newborn and three years old. Not to be dramatic but I knew day 1 that this would was the profession I was meant to do. I told myself I would have my own salon one day, not only because I loved it but because I wanted to show my children what hard work looked like and more importantly what chasing your dreams looked like. I graduated top of my class, making the dean’s list. I hit the ground running immediately. No extra training just learning from each and every stylist that would offer help. The first few years were HARD, to say the least. I maybe made 10k if that. This business is not easy. There’s no clock in and out, no benefits, just running on the pure will to get as many clients as possible. About year 3 my worst fear came true and I was in the middle of a divorce.
At this point, I had to get another job on top of the one I already had. I worked 7 days a week while taking care of my children, sometimes with the help of their father, when it was healthy, and sometimes all on my own. After a year of 7 days a week working, I was finally able to move salons and make a great wage for my family. At that point, I knew it was time to start saving for the “dream”. This was 2019, then BOOM covid!! No explanation needed there as everyone was suffering. A co-worker and I, Kelsey Roddy decided to open a small 2-chair studio, although it wasn’t the exact dream it was a start! I continued to save as much as possible in those two years. One day I get a call “hey there’s a space I think you should look at”! I was excited but super nervous as I had been in a pretty nice area and this location was more up-and-coming and not what my current clientele was accustomed to. I went to look at the space, it could have worked as is but in my heart I knew it needed a complete gut job to be my vision. With the help of my amazing stepdad, Benny, my mother Tonyia, and believe it or not the ex-husband and every single dime I had to my name I agreed to the property. I worked half days at my studio and nights tearing down walls, learning how HVAC worked, plumbing, all things construction.
Countless hours on youtube learning how to gut a bathroom, paint, lay flooring. You name it I could do it come hell or high water I was going to make this space high-end! I only had enough room for 4 chairs, I needed stylists, BAD! Now with me being in a different part of town, most were skeptical, but I see the vision, the amazing potential to build with this community and show everyone not only can this girl come from hard times but so can this space. Now here I am, myself and 1 stylist, thus far. I’m prepared to be patient for others that can appreciate the amount of perseverance it takes to invest into not only a community but themselves and know I have their back 100%.
My business is thriving and although my pockets are empty since the buildout, I’ve came back from worse, I’ve proved to myself I CAN DO THIS and this is just the start!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In life or the salon….? Lol. In life, I struggled with just wanting a great male figure. With my father in and out of the picture never feeling like I would be good enough for him or anyone for that matter. With that, I would give myself to the wrong men with toxic intent. My last relationship taught me more than anything. Again giving myself for 6 months to a man who said were just having fun ” I’m not your boyfriend”, only to have him swoon my best friend of 10 years. That emotional damage may have Been worse that my divorce. But it did sooo much good for me. After all it has given me strength to finally see my worth and take care of my body, it pushed me into the salon further and I’ve lost about 40lbs and feel better than ever and see my beauty. It also helped me to stand up to the men that attempt to take advantage of me especially with the build-out. One of my drywall guys really tested my patience but I did stick up for myself in the end telling him after he charged me double of the estimate and still wanted more money, I told him this is not okay!! Before I would have just hung my head and cried about it. Having the courage to stick up for yourself and do what’s right is hard to learn for some, although it’s taken me years to learn it I’m greatful for the experiences that have led me here.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a hairstylist, makeup artist, and salon owner. I’m also a certified hair extension specialist and train others in my area with salon service group and Hotheads. I’m most proud that within my industry that even though I’ve been with many salons, I’ve maintained a good relationship with most everyone I’ve worked with. I’ve had the pleasure of leading hair and makeup teams with our local dancing with the Stars, Pink cancer gala, and various other organizations within The Chattanooga Valley. Work aside I’m probably the most proud of raising good children that even in their teens they still want to hang out with mom!
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I like best about our city is the diversity and creativity. We accept others completely or at least that’s my goal. I also have a big love for the outdoors and Chattanooga provides so much fun with our many activities and mountains that never leave you board. We also have some amazing FOOD, there’s is always somewhere to go with a wide variety and plenty of live music and concerts for entertainment. What I like least is hard to say but probably the traffic at times, we could really use some updates within the city.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @soho_salon_of_chattanooga
- Facebook: Latosha Thornton
- Other: @lathornton44
Image Credits
Photographer Devon Skornik @devonsmisadventures on Instagram.
