Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Tipton.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was obsessed with hair, nails, and makeup at a very young age. I began practicing with my family in elementary school and exploring hair color with my own hair in the fifth grade!
After high school, I studied art at East Tennessee State University, but I returned to Knoxville a few years later to attend cosmetology school. After graduating and receiving my license in 2005, I knew I was in my element! I eventually took time off to move around the country (from East to West) and try other career paths, but hair is where my heart was and still is!
I became a mother later in life at 35 and we realized early on that my daughter was developing differently. It took almost 4 years to stay at home and run an online clothing boutique with her, while I worked on her development and to get her in a place of diagnosis’ and plans.
Once she was identified as being on the Autism Spectrum, everything started to fall into place and I knew my love of hair and cosmetology had a new purpose. Liberated Beauty Studio was born from my extensive knowledge and love of being behind the chair and knowing that our area had no specialist in the area for Sensory Friendly hair services. Being an Autism Mom, I knew that every little detail of a salon service is a potential challenge for the sensory sensitive. I offer endless options, patience, and understanding to ALL of my clients.
Building on the liberating experience of my sensory-sensitive clients, I also offer a place of acceptance and inclusivity for my clients. If beautiful rainbow hair is what will make you feel like the best YOU there can be, let’s do it! If growing out your natural God-given gray hair in the most graceful way possible is what you think will express your confidence (I’m personally doing this now), then I’m here for it!! Transformations are my absolute favorite and I love a challenge.
Lastly, having Liberated is about my own liberation. At almost 40, I’m finally in a place I feel free to be myself. I am an independent woman and single mother and confident in who I am and my work. My daughter has taught me so much about life and what truly matters in such a short amount of time. Being different is beautiful. Being confident is liberating. Be YOU with us.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Having started my cosmetology career 17 years ago, you can imagine life has thrown me some curveballs throughout the years!
A broken shoulder, a fractured neck, preeclampsia pregnancy, a unique unicorn daughter with some special needs, and divorce have all been hard obstacles BUT they are everything that has driven me to where I am now.
It’s the struggles that push us further and drive us to open our own doors.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Liberated Beauty Studio is both a salon and clothing boutique! I am proud to offer Sensory Friendly hair services to Knoxville and surrounding areas. Hair color, color correction, and major transformations are what I, Tiffany, am most known for.
I do not rush my services and I look at each client as my personal canvas. Quality, not quantity is how I run my salon and people appreciate this about Liberated. After years of being in large salons, I knew I didn’t want my salon to look or feel like the average white-washed glam salon.
So when you walk into Liberated, you’re met with bohemian personality and chill vibes. Come relax in my chair or shop my unique and eclectic clothing inside the salon!
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My one and only piece of advice to any stylist starting out or to anyone in general are: BE YOURSELF. Find yourself—who you are at the core—what makes you tick and what fulfills your own soul. Once you do, your clientele will find you!
Contact Info:
- Email: Liberatedknox@gmail.com
- Website: Www.Vagaro.com/liberatedbeautystudio
- Instagram: @liberated_knox
- Facebook: @liberatedbeautystudio
