Today we’d like to introduce you to Allanah Tabb.
Allanah, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
As a little girl, I’ve always gone with my mom to the nail salon. The nail salons she would go to were Asain owned and operated. I’ve always wondered if there were any nail technicians that looked like me that were in the industry. I’ve never witnessed really any other ethnicity in the industry.
There were times that my mom let me get my nails polished and there were times that she would buy me the press on nails that they’d have for little girls in the store that would never stay as soon as I put them on my nails. So through the years, I started observing more and wanted to be part of the change in not just the industry, but in my community. The older I got, I slowly started seeing the industry grow wider in ethnicity. I received my first acrylic set my senior year for my prom and after I graduated and started working, I found a nail tech that looked like me. Seeing her passion and creativity inspired me more than ever. I started asking more and more questions each appointment from the process of nails to becoming a nail tech. I’m grateful she was able to give me information for what she already knew, as she saw my eagerness to learn and the love I had for nails. Middle school, I began struggling with acne.
Throughout the years, I’ve always been working on my skin, finding what products work for my skin; going through trial and error, and emotional ups and downs. I was very sensitive when it came to my skin and I’ve always wanted to get to my personal goal of having acne-free skin. I know it’s not just me who struggled with acne and skin issues period. I started finding myself wanting to help others achieve their skincare goals as best as possible offering suggestions and tips I learned along my skincare journey. After two college semesters, I realized traditional college was not for me and I brought myself to find where I could take my passion and pursue it into a lifestyle. Nails and skincare is my passion and I started looking into beauty schools, taking tours on different campuses till I found where I felt was right for me.
It wasn’t a short an easy process but it was totally worth it. I attended the Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers and went for the full specialist program for nails and skin. There I was a part of the most inclusive group of people ever and I knew I was in the right place. Six months later, I finished the program in October 2019 and received my license as a full specialist. It was a journey worth taking and I’m so grateful that I was able to accomplish all that I accomplished, I’m appreciative of everyone who has helped me on my journey of becoming a licensed specialist. It has made me into the person I am today.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Getting to where I am today, I can say has not been one of the smoothest of paths. As a creative, I’ve faced many obstacles down my journey. After two semesters of college, I weighed my options and started digging into what I LOVE to do. I knew that I had a passion for nails and skin and I wanted to turn my passion into a lifestyle. During my time of attending beauty school, I had been in and out of jobs. It took a toll on me for a while but I knew things were changing for the better. Halfway through the program, I came up with the name for my brand and was thinking of where I’d go once I was finished with the program and received my license. I decided to work for myself. I started working on nails at home, but it didn’t last long due to the house smelling like a nail salon so I needed to find somewhere else to work.
I started working on friends and family at their houses. It took a minute for my business to get off the ground, but promotion is key. A while after, I decided to become a traveling specialist, bringing the spa to my clients in the comfort of the home or workplace. I thought things had slowed down when the state went on lockdown but when all the salons and spas had closed down, I started getting more bookings. My parents wanted me to start working in a salon or spa so badly because of the consistency but I kept my word to myself that I will not be working for someone else. People began to know who Sol Paradise is.
Sol Paradise – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Sol Paradise is my business and I’m a traveling specialist. I offer nail and facial services. When I go to a client’s house, I see how much they enjoy being in the comfort of their home, and the fact that they don’t have to leave their home makes it very convenient for them. Not only do I bring the spa to you but I even come with a gift sometimes. I spoil my clients and they love every bit of it. I educate my clients on things they should know and what to expect in their services. I love that I can bring ideas to life that my clients bring me, pamper them, educate them, and turn their entire day around. I take pride in what I do and no one can take that from me. I am my brand.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Everything that I’ve accomplished with my business I haven’t done alone. I’ve had support and guidance from numerous people. My parents support my passion and helped me get into beauty school. My instructors taught me everything I needed to know and helped me be prepared for the industry. My classmates helped me along the way. My partner supports me and my passion and helps to build my business. My family and friends allowed me to work on them when I couldn’t work from home and my clients for believing in me and my business and supporting me.
Contact Info:
- Website: booksolparadise.online
- Phone: 3058349829
- Email: solparadise22@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/sol.paradise
- Facebook: facebook.com/sol.paradise22
Image Credit:
Shot and edited by Drey Tho & OSS ENTERTAINMENT
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