Meet Shantel Tatayana: Licensed Cosmetologist

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

Hi Shantel, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
I feel like punctuality helps me succeed…. A LOT! In the beauty field, there is a stigma with beauty professionals and their tendency to run behind as far as time. As for me, its very important for me that I run on a schedule and that I schedule myself accordingly so that my clients are gaining the experience that they are accustomed to.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The beauty industry is one of the most saturated industries right now. What sets me apart is my love for actual haircare and the theory behind it. I still have a passion for styling and working with my client’s natural hair and only using extensions to enhance the hair they already have.

As cliché as it sounds, I believe dedication and hard work got me to where I am today. It was by no means easy. When I started my career, I was a teen mom with a toddler. 5 years later, I had my daughter. It took nights, weekends, and long hours during their younger years. Now they are both 18 and 13. They have both reminded me that my work ethic makes them want to work hard and start their own businesses. That is what makes all of the hard work worth it. I learned through these years and experiences that you work for the freedom and the impact. The product of hard work is the legacy you leave behind.

What I would want the world to know about my story and brand is that we all have the same hours in the day. Its what I decided to do with them that dictated how successful I am and how quickly or slowly it manifested. The success that I have now took 20 years to get to… but had I been a little more focused when I was starting out, I’m sure I could have cut that time in half. But, even in knowing that, I did not give up. I kept at it until things started looking as I wanted them to.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m from Baltimore so if my best friend was visiting here, the first thing I would do is get some steamed crabs and pig out! There is nothing like a Baltimore steamed crab. Then I would take them downtown to see Fells Point and Harbor East… that’s where all the best bars and restaurants are, like Teavolve, Papi Cuisine and Blk Swan. I don’t go clubbing anymore but I would definitely take my bestie to Canton Square to bar hop and get a “hubcap” margarita from Nacho Mamas. I’m such a food and drink girl so that’s what we would do the whole week.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are a couple of people who deserves a shoutout from me for all of their help and support. My life partner, Lance, who is always there to give me the little push and balance that I need from time to time. My friends Angel and Marisha, who are both business owners and who often are there for encouragement or advisement when it comes to stepping out on faith or expansion. Lastly and certainly not least, my children Jacen and Amaya, who are often my reasons for working so hard,

Website: shanteltatayana.net

Instagram: @thestylishshan