Daily Inspiration: Meet Tara Vargo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Vargo.

Hi Tara, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been a hairstylist since 2001, and even early in my career, I knew I wanted to create something of my own. I’ve always loved the creative side of the industry, but I was equally interested in the business behind it. I earned my bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Toledo, with a focus on human resources and business law, and later continued my advanced hair education at the Vidal Sassoon Academy in Toronto.

In 2021, I opened Valen+Ashe as a small, one-woman studio in Lakewood. What began as a space for me to serve my own clients slowly grew into a much bigger vision: a salon where talented artists could build careers, clients could receive exceptional hair and nail services in one place, and everyone who walked through the door felt genuinely welcome.

At the same time, I was building my family as a solo mother through IVF. Becoming a mother to my two children gave me an entirely new perspective on leadership, resilience, and what I wanted my business to represent. I wanted to create the kind of workplace where women could be ambitious, creative, supported, and still have a life outside of work.

That vision eventually became our new Valen+Ashe salon in Rocky River. We’ve grown from just me into a team of ten hair and nail professionals, with a hybrid model that allows artists to grow in the way that works best for them. The road here included construction delays, rising costs, and plenty of moments when I had to figure things out as I went—but every challenge made the vision clearer.

Today, Valen+Ashe is more than a salon. It’s a community built around inclusivity, camaraderie, education, and giving back—and it truly feels like the beginning of everything I’ve been working toward.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. The expansion into Rocky River began with a $265,000 construction budget eventually grew to more than $400,000. We faced months of delays while I was already paying rent, along with unexpected HVAC, plumbing, flooring, and finish issues that required additional time, money, and constant problem-solving.

At the same time, I was hiring and training a team, developing new systems, and transforming Valen+Ashe from a solo studio into a full hair + nail salon. Growing that quickly meant learning how to lead people with different personalities, experience levels, and career goals while maintaining a consistent standard for the salon.

One of the biggest lessons has been that growth is rarely as polished behind the scenes as it appears from the outside. I’ve had to become comfortable making difficult decisions, advocating for myself, changing course when something wasn’t working, and continuing forward even when I didn’t have every answer.

There were many moments when scaling back would have been easier, but I kept returning to the vision I had for Valen+Ashe: creating an elevated salon experience, meaningful career opportunities, and a strong sense of community. The challenges have made me a more confident business owner and a more thoughtful leader. I’m still learning every day, but I’m incredibly proud that I kept going

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in cuts, color, and corrective color, but what I’m probably known for most is the rapport I create with my clients—and being very honest behind the chair. If an inspiration photo isn’t realistic for someone’s hair, budget, or willingness to maintain it, I’ll say that. Then we’ll figure out what will work. I listen to what my clients want, but I’m also willing to give them a real professional opinion instead of simply telling them yes.

I think that honesty is why so many of my clients have trusted me with their hair for years. The relationship matters just as much to me as the final result, and that trust is what I’m most proud of.

At Valen+Ashe, we’re also known for our dry manicures and pedicures. Dry manicures are often referred to as Russian manicures—and if you know, you know. The level of detail and precision is completely different from a traditional nail appointment. We’ve brought that same standard of care across the entire salon: highly skilled work, personalized service, and an experience that feels fun and elevated.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I could not have done this without my friend Dean. His guidance, investment, and belief in me are a huge part of why Valen+Ashe exists today. He believed I could pull this off, even during the moments when I wasn’t completely sure myself.

My core team—Lexy, Michelle, Betsy, and Angela—also deserves so much credit. They’ve been waiting for this salon for years and stayed committed through every version of the plan, every delay, and every change along the way. They believed in what Valen+Ashe could become long before the doors opened.

Then there are our newer team members—Emily, Erin, Georgia, and Keira—who took a chance on us and believed in the vision too. Joining something new takes trust, and I don’t take that lightly.

I may be the owner, but Valen+Ashe was never built by one person. It became real because all of these people believed in it and brought their own talent, time, and energy to it. I’m incredibly grateful for every one of them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Valenashesalon.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/valenashesalon
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/valenashesalon