Meet MONICA RAUDENBUSH | Hairstylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with MONICA RAUDENBUSH and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi MONICA, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I worked for in the corporate world as an educator for salons for almost 10 years. Eventually the universe delivered what I had been asking for for a long time. FREEDOM!!! Things were getting back to”normal” after COVID days. The company I had worked for realigned it’s districts and I was let go along with 250 other corporate employees. A blessing in disguise! I enjoyed my newly found freedom for a year, and started taking clients in my hair studio at my home. This was supposed to be temporary, but I have been doing this for two years now. I’ve doubled my business in a year and haven’t looked back since. My clients now have a safe, quiet place to relax and escape.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I grew up in a tiny town in Tennessee. My mother is Mexican and my father is Black and White, so I could never find a stylist who could do my hair. My hair was always a “burden” growing up. Eventually, I got my hair done by someone who actually knew how to do my hair. I felt this confidence I never had, sprinkle in that feeling you get when you leave the salon! I knew I wanted to be the person who could help other people feel that same confidence. What I quickly found out is, confidence doesn’t come from a cute cut and lipstick. It comes from within, the haircut and lipstick are just the cherry on top. The way we speak to our children about their hair is CRUCIAL. Hair is not a burden nor a chore. Hair is a fabric, a beautiful piece of fine silk. It should be treated as such. My brand is Thairapy. From years of experience and education, I understand the importance of maintaining the hair’s integrity. It is possible to create beautiful blondes and colors and still have a healthy, shiny head of hair. You just need a stylist who cares. I whole heartedly believe in healing the hair and the heart. My goal in our time together is to help my guests embrace their hair, their inner beauty, and sometimes, just be an ear to listen. I create authentic connections, trust, and consistent quality results. I’ve been on this journey for about 11 years now and I fell in love with educating along the way. My guests leave every appointment understanding the importance of hair maintenance, confidence to recreate salon results at home, and a better understanding of their hair.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting for a week, we’d go get tapas and a pitcher of sangrias at Barcelona. Our next stop, spend time at Piedmont Park and the Botanical Gardens. I’d take her to the west side of the beltline to Lee and White Breweries, maybe do some trivia at Wild Heaven. Oakland cemetery is a beautiful place to get some good pics for the gram. My favorite local bar, Chairs in East Point is a must! We’d brunch at Carrol Street Cafe. I can’t forget about my favorite restaurant, Wisteria in Inman Park. Our last day, we go on a ‘Mystery Picnic’ and venture around the city solving clues and riddles, eating delicious food, and discovering parts of the city we’ve never seen before!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

Working somewhere for so long, you tend to collect a family. There is one leader in particular who encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and believed in me more than I believed in myself at times. I grew a great deal professionally and my personal life as well. I will always have a special place in my heart for her, Sarah Bettura. This next person is not only a friend, but my hairstylist too. She gives the soundest advice and is always there to listen without judgment, Bianca Dinsmore. Lastly, my partner, Juan (Monty) Montier, he continues to be my light on my hardest of days.

Website: https://www.styleseat.com/m/v/monicaraudenbush

Instagram: Mo.Thairapy