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In a time when the economy is bouncing around like a rubber ball, and new businesses go as quickly as they came, two feisty young ladies in Murphysboro have determined to beat the odds and run a successful, growing business.
Tina Lustig and Tara Judy, co-owners of TNT Hair Studio, are not only business partners, they are best friends who have known one another since they were five years old.
"We've gone to the same schools, played on the same sports teams, and been best friends for a very long time," said Tara. "And now we love owning a business together."
With an upbeat, trendy decor that stays true to the architectural integrity of their building, they are proud of the building and the business they own. "It is an awesome feeling to be able to say at 27 years old that I own my own business, debt free," said Tara.
While lovely, it is not the decor that draws you, but the upbeat, positive and humorous attitude of the salon owners. Greeting each customer with a welcoming smile and a familiar, "Hey Girl," one feels instantly at ease when walking through the doors. "If we didn't like one another, you would feel the tension when you walked in the door. We really are best friends," the gals said in unison.
And not only are they best friends, they also strive to be a friend to the many clients who depend on their expertise for a woman's most important beauty treatment "the hair appointment." "The beauty industry is not ran like a regular business. You have to care about your clients, and people want a good vibe when they come in. The client is paying for your time. If they want to talk, then you talk, if they want to sit quietly, then you allow them that space. As the stylist, it is important to know what your clients needs are," said Tina.
"We try to have a good atmosphere, and maintain a good reputation. And anyone who works at TNT must have the same vision," she said. "Our clients are like our "hair family," said Tara. "You give a little girl her first hair cut, and before you know it, you're doing her hair for her wedding. Soon she's pregnant, and then you're doing her little girl's hair."
"We also believe it is important to be community minded in our relationship with the other salons in town. If we don't have time for a client, we are happy to refer them to one of the other great salons in town. It is important to keep small businesses open in our towns, and that requires a willingness to share if you have an over abundance."
With a seeming over abundance of not only talent, but wisdom, both Tina and Tara had different career plans than being salon owners. Tara planned to be an OB nurse and Tina, a Special Education teacher. But after starting out on their career paths, both realized they were not happy with the direction they were going. Without discussing it with one another, both enrolled in cosmetology school, and their careers have been on the same path ever since. "We were the youngest students in our cosmetology class, and we had a lot of fun. Going to school together helped us to keep it together during the tedious 8 to 4 daily schedule of school."
After graduating, they worked in several salons together. "It took a while before we began talking about opening our own salon," said Tara. "We spent a lot of years learning about the beauty industry. We learned about the cost of products, and how to run a business during the years we spent working for others."
When Tara and Tina began talking to Tara's father, Bill Burke, about opening their own salon, he was very supportive. He also had plenty of business advice. "My dad is very business savvy," said Tara. "He guided us in the direction we needed to go. And when the person who owned our building called and said it was for sale, we were so excited, realizing what a great location for our business this is."
"Not only did my Dad teach us financial standards, but also about how to conduct ourselves in the community as responsible business owners. He said ' You don't talk about other people or businesses, and keep the drama out."
"We love doing hair," said Tina. "It is a passion, not a job. It's the best feeling in the world to kick off your shoes after work and know you made someone beautiful, that you made someone's day."
When asked how she felt about going into business at such a young age, Tina says, " I was scared, scared to fail. From day one, people have wanted us to fail because we are so young, and that is scary. When you know you've got people at your back, wanting to see you go under, it can be a little intimidating. But in the end, it just makes us want to strive even harder to be our best, and prove the critics wrong."
TNT is located at the corner of Walnut and 14th street. They are open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturdays by appointment only.
In a time when the economy is bouncing around like a rubber ball, and new businesses go as quickly as they came, two feisty young ladies in Murphysboro have determined to beat the odds and run a successful, growing business.
Tina Lustig and Tara Judy, co-owners of TNT Hair Studio, are not only business partners, they are best friends who have known one another since they were five years old.
"We've gone to the same schools, played on the same sports teams, and been best friends for a very long time," said Tara. "And now we love owning a business together."
With an upbeat, trendy decor that stays true to the architectural integrity of their building, they are proud of the building and the business they own. "It is an awesome feeling to be able to say at 27 years old that I own my own business, debt free," said Tara.
While lovely, it is not the decor that draws you, but the upbeat, positive and humorous attitude of the salon owners. Greeting each customer with a welcoming smile and a familiar, "Hey Girl," one feels instantly at ease when walking through the doors. "If we didn't like one another, you would feel the tension when you walked in the door. We really are best friends," the gals said in unison.
And not only are they best friends, they also strive to be a friend to the many clients who depend on their expertise for a woman's most important beauty treatment "the hair appointment." "The beauty industry is not ran like a regular business. You have to care about your clients, and people want a good vibe when they come in. The client is paying for your time. If they want to talk, then you talk, if they want to sit quietly, then you allow them that space. As the stylist, it is important to know what your clients needs are," said Tina.
"We try to have a good atmosphere, and maintain a good reputation. And anyone who works at TNT must have the same vision," she said. "Our clients are like our "hair family," said Tara. "You give a little girl her first hair cut, and before you know it, you're doing her hair for her wedding. Soon she's pregnant, and then you're doing her little girl's hair."
"We also believe it is important to be community minded in our relationship with the other salons in town. If we don't have time for a client, we are happy to refer them to one of the other great salons in town. It is important to keep small businesses open in our towns, and that requires a willingness to share if you have an over abundance."
With a seeming over abundance of not only talent, but wisdom, both Tina and Tara had different career plans than being salon owners. Tara planned to be an OB nurse and Tina, a Special Education teacher. But after starting out on their career paths, both realized they were not happy with the direction they were going. Without discussing it with one another, both enrolled in cosmetology school, and their careers have been on the same path ever since. "We were the youngest students in our cosmetology class, and we had a lot of fun. Going to school together helped us to keep it together during the tedious 8 to 4 daily schedule of school."
After graduating, they worked in several salons together. "It took a while before we began talking about opening our own salon," said Tara. "We spent a lot of years learning about the beauty industry. We learned about the cost of products, and how to run a business during the years we spent working for others."
When Tara and Tina began talking to Tara's father, Bill Burke, about opening their own salon, he was very supportive. He also had plenty of business advice. "My dad is very business savvy," said Tara. "He guided us in the direction we needed to go. And when the person who owned our building called and said it was for sale, we were so excited, realizing what a great location for our business this is."
"Not only did my Dad teach us financial standards, but also about how to conduct ourselves in the community as responsible business owners. He said ' You don't talk about other people or businesses, and keep the drama out."
"We love doing hair," said Tina. "It is a passion, not a job. It's the best feeling in the world to kick off your shoes after work and know you made someone beautiful, that you made someone's day."
When asked how she felt about going into business at such a young age, Tina says, " I was scared, scared to fail. From day one, people have wanted us to fail because we are so young, and that is scary. When you know you've got people at your back, wanting to see you go under, it can be a little intimidating. But in the end, it just makes us want to strive even harder to be our best, and prove the critics wrong."
TNT is located at the corner of Walnut and 14th street. They are open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturdays by appointment only.
