I have always been a creative person, growing up as a second generation Punjabi kid in Canada was interesting.  I knew the struggles my parents went through to make a life in Canada, and how important security in a profession was to them.  Not so much for position in society, but moreso they didn't want their kids to struggle like they did, but also wanted future security for their kids in forms of pension, benefits etc.   Absolutely nothing about this is a "bad" thing.  

Being a creative person, sitting behind a desk just didnt get me excited.  I wasn't 100% sure which direction my professional career was going but I knew I wanted to create.  I dabbled in applying for the architecture program at NAIT, that didn't pan out. I was then at a cross roads, do I take a year off or do I suck it up and take business and see maybe if my parents were right.  I got accepted into the Business program at NAIT, I completed the program, worked in financial institutions, and it just wasn't cutting it.  

The day I knew I wasn't meant to be in a bank, was when I was told I laugh too loud.  I was flabbergasted!  My happy sound is too loud?! What? Cue investigation into what made my heart happy.

I was always fascinated by hair styling.  I used to try and recreate styles on my own hair as a child, I cut my Barbies hair as often as possible, but I knew it was never an option for me for a few reasons.  1. Growing up in a Sikh household cutting our hair was against our religion and my dad enforced that.  2.  There was no security in hairdressing.  

Hair styling never left my heart or mind, I didn't vocalize it very much but I always knew if I just had some support I knew it would be a success.  Thank god for my mom.  She really had my back and fueled my career change, and gave me unconditional support, even with my dad standing firmly against my decision. To say this was an uphill battle was an understatement.  

Off to beauty school I went!  It was the most eye opening experience of my life.  9 months of continuous full time learning.  No breaks.  No long weekends. We were told from day one, the hair industry has the 80/20 rule.  80% drop out, 80% fail, only the 20% remaining have a shot.  It sounds so extreme! They weren't kidding.  My class started with 13 people, at the end of 9 months there were 3 of us left standing.  I knew then, well I have at least this much passion to make it through hairschool bootcamp, this is the tip of the iceberg.  

After hairschool I worked at a reputable salon in downtown Edmonton.  I spent about a year and a half there, and I had that unsettling feeling again.  I knew there was more for me, than working for someone, on their terms, having no real control over my schedule.  Another leap of faith was about to occur.  I didn't take this decision lightly either, I knew if I went out on my own I had a much bigger risk.  I put my brave face on and jumped!  

I opened up House of Tin in a 100 squarefoot room in my moms house.  Imagine this, a 100 square foot room, I had a styling chair, mirror, wash sink and retail shelves in this room.  I mixed color in the closet, to say I had humble beginnings would be very accurate.  I was scared for sure!  Where would I get clients from?  Would I fail and go back to the salon with my tail between my legs?  Failing was not an option.  I hustled, oh man did I hustle.  I started a facebook page, I posted on all the mailboxes in the neighbourhood, I did fashion shows for free, I did photoshoots, whatever it took to get my name out there.  It worked!  

I outgrew my 100 square foot room in 2 years and officially opened House of Tin THE HOUSE!  I found a house layout that was perfect for a salon!  The entire mainfloor is a salon, much bigger and I am able to have two client appointments at a time.  I have been operating as a sole propreitor for 10 years!  I can't even believe a decade has passed and my love for the industry is bigger than ever.  I am now in a position where I want to give back to the industry that gave me life and freedom from the 9-5 grind.  House of Tin is now planning to expand to a larger space, where 8 stylists can make a home and hone their skills to build their business so that they too can have financial freedom.  

This story is far from over and I hope ATB BoostR will be a part of the journey!