Inspiring Conversations with Tina Rager of Luminous Hair Spa and Suites

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tina Rager

Hi Tina, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
People often ask me if I always dreamed of becoming a hairstylist, and the truth is, I didn’t. However, I always envisioned myself owning my own business one day. After the birth of my second daughter, I found it challenging to focus on college while juggling the responsibilities of raising two girls and working part-time. So I decided to take a break and eventually made the decision to attend cosmetology school.

After completing my training, I joined my first salon where I was inspired and realized I wanted to create a similar environment. In 2013, I partnered with a fellow stylist and friend to open Luminous Hair Spa, as a four-person booth rental hair salon.

In 2017 I took on my first apprentice—my daughter, Hair By Hailee. That experience unveiled my passion for mentoring emerging stylists and helping them build their own careers. A couple years later, 2019, when my partner moved on, I saw an opportunity to revamp our business model and hopefully step away from behind the chair and run the business side of the salon one day. After years of careful consideration and research on how to expand, in the fall of 2022 I made the decision to purchase my first building and convert it into salon suites for independent beauty professionals.

This brings us to spring 2023 when my youngest daughter, Kelsey joined our team, as SoulSkin Esthetics. Since then my daughters have helped us bring on and train two more apprentices. With the plan to bring on more soon. In the fall of 2023 I decided to redo another space in downtown Niles and move my first location. We renovated what was originally a garage space with the help of the building owner and now serves as Luminous Hair spas downtown location.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. In 2013, just before opening our first location, I learned I needed shoulder surgery, which could affect my ability to continue working behind the chair. Thankfully, the surgery went well. Despite ongoing back pain behind the chair, I stayed committed to making my dream a reality. In 2020, COVID hit the beauty industry hard, shutting us down for three months and limiting the number of stylists in the salon when we reopened. I had to pause my growth plans.

Fortunately, things have improved, and now I’ve reduced my time behind the chair and can focus on expanding my salon and working towards my next project.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Luminous Hair Spa and Suites?
Since 2023 Luminous has grown from one location to two newly renovated spaces and from 4 hairstylist in 2020 to now having 17 beauty professionals including two permanent makeup artist, two estheticians, two hair extensions specialist and nail tech. We also have one apprentice for cosmetology with another one starting soon. We now offer services from haircuts and color, hair extensions, lash extensions, lash lift and tint, nails, facials including chemical peels, Gua Sha, Dermaplane and more. Full body waxing, permanent makeup, tiny tattoos, permanent jewelry, spray tanning and so much more.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Due to the accessibility of social media, we are able to market ourselves to reach a wider audience and showcase our unique talents, while also receiving an endless amount of continuous education and inspiration professionally. Creating an even bigger desire for independence in the industry. This great desire for independence creates an even bigger demand on salons to create an environment that is inclusive to these changes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://luminoushairspa.com/
• Instagram: Luminoushair_spa_suites
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Luminoushairspa