Today we’d like to introduce you to Temia Gardner.
Hi Temia , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey started in childhood, when I experienced hair loss at a young age. That experience made hair care personal for me and became part of the foundation for the work I do today. I wanted to understand how to care for hair and help other women feel confident in theirs.
I pursued cosmetology, attended Riverside Hairstyling Academy, and became a licensed hairstylist in 2011. Over time, my passion grew into a focus on healthy hair, natural hair care, and hair loss education. Today, I am known as “The Healthy Hair Therapist,” and I have been a salon owner for approximately 12 years, building Healthy Hair Therapy Salons around care, education, and helping clients understand their hair.
Building a business while raising a family and navigating personal challenges has required faith, perseverance, and a willingness to adapt. I have continued investing in my education, sharing my knowledge, and expanding beyond the chair through digital guides, mentorship, and educational content. My goal is to give people tools they can use long after their appointment.
For me, success means building a business with purpose while helping others feel seen, supported, and informed. What began as a personal experience with hair loss has grown into a career dedicated to healthy hair and helping women regain confidence.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it has not been a smooth road. Building a business from the ground up while being a single mother has required sacrifice, faith, and perseverance. There have been seasons when I was juggling clients, raising my children, navigating personal loss, and still trying to show up for everyone who depended on me.
One of the biggest struggles has been balancing my passion for helping others with the need to take care of myself. Being self-employed comes with uncertainty. Cancellations, no-shows, and the ongoing expenses of running a salon can create pressure, especially when your family depends on your income.
I have also had to learn how to value my time, set boundaries, and adjust my pricing and policies. As my business has grown, I have been learning how to expand beyond working behind the chair through education and digital products.
Through it all, my faith has kept me grounded. I am still learning, but those challenges have taught me that success requires more than talent. It takes consistency, the willingness to make difficult decisions, and the courage to keep moving forward.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a licensed cosmetologist, master stylist, hair loss specialist, and educator, known as “The Healthy Hair Therapist.” Through Healthy Hair Therapy Salons, I specialize in healthy hair and scalp care, natural hair, loc maintenance, color, and helping clients navigate thinning, shedding, and breakage. I also create educational content and digital guides to help women understand and care for their hair at home.
What sets me apart is the education and personal care I bring to each service. I take time to understand my clients’ concerns, explain their hair care needs, and help them build healthier habits. My own experience with hair loss makes this work deeply personal. I understand that concerns about your hair can affect how you feel about yourself.
I am most proud of building a business with purpose while raising my family and navigating life’s challenges. Seeing a client become more confident, understand her hair better, and feel supported is especially rewarding. Being able to share that knowledge with other stylists and women beyond my salon allows my work to reach even further.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice is to be patient with your growth and take time to learn your craft. Build relationships, stay consistent, and give people a reason to trust you. Your reputation grows through how you treat people and the quality of your work.
I wish I had understood earlier that being talented and running a business require different skills. Learn your numbers, price your services to support your business, establish clear policies, and protect your time. You can care deeply about your clients and still have boundaries.
I would also encourage new entrepreneurs to invest in education and seek mentorship. You do not have to figure everything out alone. Keep God at the center, stay open to learning, and remember that you can build a successful business without sacrificing your health or every moment with your family.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Hea;thyHairTherapySalons.com
- Instagram: HealthyHairTherapySalons
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@HealthyHairTherapy
