Shaun Tai has big plans for her new business, Crowns Hair Salon and Beauty Bar, in Yelm, but her vision extends far beyond the confines of the new space in the Prairie Plaza, 10501 Creek St. SE.
Although she refers to herself as “the true braider of Yelm” and takes pride in her abundance of skills in hair care that she’s accrued over 14 years, her goals are greater than even her place within the hair salon industry.
Tai wants to build a legacy to pass on to her family and to make an impact on the lives of people she comes across, whether it’s customers or the hairstylists she hires.
“I want to leave a legacy for my son. It’s not even about me,” she said. “The name of the salon is Crowns, mainly because crown is used in the Bible to mean head. When I’m working with people from their head, I have a lot of influence because people talk to me like I’m a counselor without even having the qualifications. People come and pour their lives out to us. It’s about the lives that I can touch by doing what I love.”
Tai previously worked at Hairworx Salon in Yelm before deciding to open her own shop where she offers cuts, braids, relaxers, twists, extensions and more. Originally from Jamaica, she always styled hair growing up before learning how to cut hair in the United States. Her resumé includes stops at Supercuts, Great Clips and Sports Clips before working at Hairworx.
“I noticed that I was really good at it. I liked it at first, and then fell in love with it. The saying of, ‘If you do something that you love, you’ll never work a day in your life,’ it’s true,” Tai said. “I’m just doing what I love and what comes naturally to me. When I’m behind the chair, I get to do me.”
The process of opening Crowns in Yelm was rapid, and while the goal is to open on Aug. 1, she and her fellow stylist, Teresa Reasoner, are already serving previously established clients who were left in limbo after the move.
Tai found the vacant space in the Prairie Plaza to fulfill her dream of owning her own salon.
“Honestly, this salon was a blessing that was just literally placed in my hands. It started June 1, and there was no slow pace,” Tai said. “I’ve always wanted to own my own salon, but I was planning for next year. I didn’t even know I was ready, but I was. As soon as I walked in to look at this space, I loved it.”
Tai is serving clients while the building is still being completed, as some of the flooring and lighting is being finished, but the full array of services will be open by Aug. 1. Tai and Reasoner are currently the only two stylists, but Tai is looking forward to bringing in independent stylists and passing along her experience and knowledge.
“I’m here for the stylist that’s coming out of school and wants to grow her business and become an entrepreneur and have her own salon in the next three to five years,” she said. “She can come and start out here. I’ve been doing hair for a while, so I can help with teaching.
“The atmosphere that I’m willing to provide is for them to be comfortable enough to know that it’s OK that their confidence is not there yet, but the more that they stay driven, their confidence will grow,” Tai continued. “There’s going to be accountability, but the whole purpose is to see them grow.”
In the future, Tai hopes that Crowns is the one-stop shop for both haircare and beauty services, including beard care, eyelash extensions, skincare, nails and more. To learn more about Crowns Hair Salon and Beauty Bar and its services, visit https://www.vagaro.com/.
