Rising Stars: Meet Taren Schmida

Today we’d like to introduce you to Taren Schmida. 

Hi Taren, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in Lakewood Colorado growing up I always knew that I wanted to be in fashion. When I was a little girl, I used to Go down the stairs to my mom’s home salon, turn on the Saturday morning cartoons, and watch my mom do hair. 

Later in life, I went to the Colorado institute of art to become a fashion designer, but I could never transfer the thoughts in my mind onto paper. And you just can’t get anywhere in fashion without drawing. 

I then became a receptionist Hair Salon called Madeleine’s on Fillmore in Cherry Creek. I was there for about 3 years… Still not knowing what I was going to do with my life, I then had an opportunity to become a bartender at purple martini. Getting a little sidetracked from what I wanted to do, I definitely fell into a niche that was fun. Doing that for 13 years, getting to open up nightclubs and bars for some of the best in Denver, I knew I wanted to do more. At age 30 I decided to go to beauty school. 

As it was hard for my fun self to get up every morning for school, after closing the bars at 2 am, I didn’t complete my journey. 

Feeling a little lost, my lovely friend/boss from Madeline’s on Fillmore lent out a hand and, ask me to join her team as she was had created an amazing salon in low high Denver., Called Scarlet salon. 

The salon was huge and was fun, and learning from an amazing boss and leader KC (Kelly Sciatiano), she taught me a lot of things… But always watching all of the hairstylist create with their clients I always was missing something. 

I then was re-acquainted with my future husband. 

We had known each other since high school, as I used to follow him around like a puppy dog. 

23 years had passed since I had seen him. He was living in Durango and was now a Firefighter. He and I started dating, and things were getting serious. After about a year, we started discussing a move for me. Wondering what my next step would be, He then pointed out to me, why I’m not doing what I love? Becoming a hairstylist? 

Shockingly that had never even crossed my mind. So, I then looked into my education and what it would take. And because I Had been working in a salon this whole time, I was able to continue my education in which I only had 400 hours left. 

Talk about second chances! 

I then moved to Durango, finished beauty school, and started doing what I love! 

After 5 years, in a salon, I then opened up my own salon called Studio 29 

Being able to create with people that you love working with is absolutely amazing. I am so lucky for all the people that I have countered during my journey. 

We then had another bump in the road, as my husband was involved in the 416 fire, and was injured. He wasn’t healing as fast as he wanted to. He then decided he was going to retire. 

I then knew that this was our opportunity to come back to Denver, my Hometown. 

So, then we started setting things in motion and getting our house ready for sale buying my parents’ house, I was coming to Denver once a month, to start building my clientele. 

And then BOOM, Covid! 

Having to have shut down my salon and Durango took quite a hit. As it did for so many other people. Now not knowing what our future was going to hold, I then decided that once we moved, I was going to build a salon in my home. Just in case the whole world was about to change, not knowing if putting my future and someone else’s hands was the right thing to do. 

We made the final Move in September of 2020. Write in the middle of covid. I then opened lovely salon. 

Starting over and realizing how lucky I was to have had the opportunity with my clients I’m Durango, I was really scared♡ 

As I know so many people were and still are. 

But I was always taught to get up every morning and keep trying! 

Love yourself! 

One thing the most that I love about my job is that almost every time when people get out of my chair, they feel revived and loved and that to me is the most amazing part of my job! 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The challenges definitely was starting over in a new city during Covid. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a hair lover! I specialize is Hand-tied hair extensions, coloring, styling, 

When sitting in my chair I want you to feel loved, respected, and pampered! 

I’m so lucky and thankful for all the support that I’ve had over the years and to have all the love of family friends around me through my journey. 

We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I’m very shy! 

Contact Info:

• Email: tarenlovely@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.vagaro.com/tarenlovely
• Instagram: tarenlovely

Image Credits
Christian Alex