Today we’d like to introduce you to Salvatore (Torey) Martino.
Hi Salvatore (Torey), it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have been a Hairstylist for 29 years and have never thought of a different career.
In the late 80s , early 90s I was playing in a big hair rock and roll band in the Orange County, Hollywood music scene. I was never able to get the perfect cut or color on my hair . I decided to take it into my own hands. I was always doing crazy things to my hair and frequently visiting a beauty supply in Huntington Beach to buy hair color and hairspray.
The woman that owned the beauty supply and salon suggested that I come work for her as a cashier selling hair products so I can get a discount on hair products . I was 16 years old and really liked the idea. It turned out I had a knack for color and cutting education. In 1995 I decided to go to Golden west cosmetology school where I met my wife of 29 years. Kara and I got pregnant with our first son Tristen after dating for only 2 months and married after 6 months of dating. People thought we were Destin to fail. We are currently empty nesters with 4 kids. After graduating I worked at a salon for 5 years and then opened my own 16 Stylist salon in Tustin California that I worked and operated for 22 years. WildRoot cuts and color. Being that I was a musician I was also traveling back and forth to Nashville and playing with friends. My first visit was 2016 and I fell in love with Tennessee it reminded me of California when I was a kid. More open space , people were kinder and the pace was better. I would visit about 2 times a year and always said I would retire here.
During the struggles we had in California because of Covid my Wife Kara and I decided to make a move to Franklin Tennessee. At this stage of our life we have 4 kids who are all in the artistic world but had all moved out we found ourselves as empty nesters and were excited about a new way of life so we packed up and moved to Tennessee.
I have been working a salon in the factory Franklin called Structured Hair owned and operated by a successful and extremely talented Stylist Matt Fine. The team I have the pleasure to work with are among some of the most talented. In the 4 years I have been working in Franklin I have built up a clientele of over 350 people.
What love most about hair in the connection I make with my guest. There is nothing more satisfying as building up someone’s confidence and having them leave feeling fabulous.
Kara and I took a leap of faith in 2021 starting our already successful careers all over again in search of a better way of life. Kara has been doing real estate now for 24 years
20 in California and 4 in Tennessee.
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?
Some of the obstacles were owing a business in California. We really felt the hit of that during Covid after shutting down our salon 3 times per governor Newson’s orders.
It is absolutely amazing that we were able to sell the salon and relocate Tennessee
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
we are finally able to reopen our salon after Covid had settled down. I had this great idea to do chalk murals in front of the salon to Brighten all the clients disposition as they were coming into the Salon before they even entered. Each week I would do a chalk mural and spray over it with hairspray so it didn’t get dragged through the salon.
As a hairstylist working in California, long lasting highlights was what I was most successful and known for
Specialize in cutting and coloring and highlighting hair and I feel my techniques set aside from most there are so many aspects to doing hair, but connecting with the guest and making them feel and know that they are very important and special
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I’ve been in business for 29 years and I’ve seen many shifts in the industry
Recently, we’ve noticed a lot of AI images of hairstyling or color that makes it very, very tricky for us to navigate through.
Like any industry I feel like it is getting more detail oriented and is more just about the color and cut Service
Pricing:
- Haircut $100
- Color $120
- Foil (part) $140
- Foil (full) $160
- Men’s cut $50
Contact Info:
- Website: Structured Hair Salon franklin
- Instagram: Toreymartino
