Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Montgomery.
Hi Shannon, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am a native of Mount Vernon, NY and moved down to Orlando, FL in 2003. Growing up I watching my sister go to cosmetology school and would practice styles, nails, art, you name it I knew I was creative and the true love for the beauty industry started at the age of 6. By the age of 12, I was doing my own hair from relaxers, silk presses, conditioning treatments you name it I did. I took my talent in as a hobby initially and would bring all my friends over to do their hair as well, not for monetary purposes. Just because I enjoyed what I did. At the age of 16, I started working in retail then went onto having my daughter Alexis J. Stringer to two years later having my son Aiden D. Stringer becoming a single mother of two. By 2016 I then transitioned into the corporate world, talking to others and solving a problem kept me intrigued but still balancing work, kids, and still doing hair during free time but at that point, I began my brand Shalaé Beauty. Everyone encouraged me to go to school for Cosmetology and in 2021 I decided I no longer wanted to be closed into a box of defining my worth and work ethic by grading my calls, promising of moving up and not seeing that promise, but wanted to follow my dream. I started cosmetology school and fell in love. I extended myself to learn as much as I could from the barbers, nail techs, estheticians, and of course everything in cosmetology. I sacrificed going to school full time and immediately having to get my kids from daycare/school right after only being able to work doing Instacart because the kids would be able to come with me. I then won a scholarship paying the offset of my tuition with Tresemme Future Stylist fund which also has offered myself a sponsorship and mentoring. I went into the school with a good amount of knowledge and came out confident in knowing I was ready to step into my career graduating as the Student of the Year in March 2022 with the unfortunate loss of my mother in January 2022’. Being a Licensed Cosmetologist at the All Dolled Up salon. My main focus is not only a monetary gain but a true passion, educating my clients, giving the best customer service. The learning and evolving never stops in this industry and I know everything that I have experienced and seen has been a stepping stone from God to make me into the woman I am now.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Of course not, but serving my true purpose god blessed me with the devil will always find any way to block me from what I was blessed to do. It was hard being in school just coming in the midst of the pandemic. I wasn’t able to work because right after I got out of school, I only had enough time to get to my kids before my son’s daycare and my daughter’s school closed. The only thing I was able to do was hair, doing Instacart deliveries, cleaning friends’ home for the extra money. I’d say losing my mom so unexpectedly was the hardest to go through right before my graduation and still is.
We’ve been impressed with My business name is Shalaé Beauty but I am at All Dolled Up salon, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am currently located at All Dolled Up salon in the Oviedo location. I specialize in silk press and I am also a loctician. I am a licensed cosmetologist but even with silk presses and my love for Locs, I honestly love every service I do. I can also do some barber cuts as well eyebrow waxing. I have made my own organic loc retwist serum and leave in conditioner. I care about my clients, their integrity of their hair, as well as the integrity of myself as a stylist. I am proud of my determination, never giving up no matter what was thrown at me. I can say that I and the salon which is why that has become my home, is that I go that extra mile to make my clients feel a peaceful, experience. It’s all about self-care, most importantly I love educating my clients during our services. Yes, I want them coming back but knowledge is power and I want to know that my work will not only last but my clients are my walking billboard. My clients are my brand.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
Honestly, I watch a lot of videos simply off of Instagram and my feed is nothing but hair and puppies lol. I watch different techniques from color, cutting, barbering, etc.
Pricing:
- All prices are our starting price at the salon at ADUshop.com by going to left tab you can book online or request me “Shannon” by calling All Dolled Up at 407-622-0422
- Consultations are $25 via phone/FaceTime and in-person consultations are $10
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ADUshop.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shalaebeauty/
