Meet Toleta Tee” Thomas | Salon Owner/Operator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Toleta “Tee” Thomas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Toleta “Tee”, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I became an entrepreneur out of necessity. I was working in retail management. I absolutely enjoyed the Sales and customer service aspects of my job. I learned at lot from my regional manager and was a leader within the district among managers. I also one day realized in order to be promoted within the organization my regional manager would have to leave and at least 4 out of 10 other store managers could be considered for the role as well. I decided the experience and responsibilities I had at this boutique style retailer gave be a strong impression of running my own business. At this point in my personal life, I had gotten married and started a family. I also sort of wanted to be around to them as much as I could. I knew starting my own business, being my own boss was the best way to ensure I was promoted within the company and be a present wife and mom. Of course starting or sustaining a small business is never easy. I did get a sign a reassurance to keep going a short 2 years after starting my own business. That retailer I worked for filed bankruptcy and closed all 111 stores.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Formation Salon and Spa is a full service salon with high end design and finishes. It is the salon home and place to do business for a collective of beauty professionals and their brands. Because of the variety of talent, we have an expansive service menu. Formation Salon and Spa is a one stop shop servicing women, men and children. What I am most proud of as the owner is my undeniable efforts to create a team like work space while motivating and assisting each individual with their own personal business goals. I definitely want us all to get to the bag as they say. By doing so, we can all win. A winner’s energy can be contagious. I love servicing my actual hair clients for sure, but I have always considered the service professionals that lease space at FSS my customers too. If I can ultimately ensure they are good, then again the effects can be contagious. I won’t sugar coat the process along the way and say everything is always all easy. It can seem like there is always a tedious task to handle, a disgruntled guest, or several different fires to put out: supply shortages, staff turnover, bad hires, bad marketing ideas, increased cost of doing business. The list goes on but I tell myself I have come too far to turn back or stop now. I do my best to keep good business besties and mentors in and out the salon business. Most days I learn I am not the crazy one.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would never tell my bestie to meet me in St. Louis for a week. Most of whatever you have heard is true. But I’m always down for a passport stamp, an all inclusive resort, a couple of days for shopping and excursions but definitely a day to Nexflix and chill too.

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?
My daughters. I have 6 girls. I would have never really been able to be a “natural hair expert” if it where not for trying everything on them. Even after becoming licensed, I built my business using my daughters as models. I would do there hair and go to the mall. People would always ask who does their hair and I would always have a business card ready. My daughters have always been a constant motivation for me to be the best women I can be obviously but they have also always been down for the ride. My business grew up with my kids. Sometimes they competed for attention. Now 15 years later both my business and my girls have grown up. I also have 4 daughters who are also in the beauty business. This is how I know they watched, they learned and I made an impression on them as a business owner and a mom.

Website: www.vagaro.com/Formationsalonandspa

Instagram: @ Askforthetee @FormationsalonandSpa

Linkedin: Tee Thomas

Facebook: Tee Thomas and Formation Salon and Spa

Other: TikTok @Askforthetee