Meet Tara Acosta

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tara Acosta. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tara below.

Hi Tara, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I draw my resilience from my mom. She was a single mother raising four kids while fighting a battle she ultimately lost to breast cancer at just 49 years old. Her strength, determination, and unwavering love continue to inspire me every day. She passed on my 16th birthday and my gift from her each year is a reminder to be grateful for the health of myself and my loved ones, every single day. Because no matter how “successful” anyone is, the reality is that our health is our wealth.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Let me tell you a bit about myself and my journey. I’m the proud owner of Sulimay’s Salon & Barber Studio’s, a business that has flourished in Philadelphia for over 60 years. I operate two vibrant hair studios, offering top-notch services for both men and women. Following in his father’s footsteps, my dad owned and operated his 1 chair / old school barbershop in Philadelphia. I joined his business right after high school and created an enviroment for both men and women. This transition going from a men’s club style barbershop to a hair studio for both men and women taught me a lot about getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. We worked together for 20 years and he retired. I have since opened two studios in two wonderful neighborhoods in Philly. And to keep the family business going, my daughter has since joined in as well.

What sets us apart is not just our expertise in our craft and customer service, but our commitment to the local community. We truly believe in giving back, and over the years, we’ve formed strong partnerships with local charities, supported youth sports teams, and contributed to arts and music programs as well as local schools. Our hair studios have become staples in these neighborhoods, where we are proud to support everything that makes our community thrive.

Even after years of running the business, I still enjoy spending time behind the chair with my clients who often become friends—something I’ve been doing for the past 28 years. Before starting my own company, I worked alongside my father, learning invaluable lessons from him when I eventually took over his shop. Being behind the scenes, I watched him struggle as a small business owner while on the surface everything looked fine. That experience shaped me into the entrepreneur I am today.

A few years ago, I wrote a book titled The Street Smart Side of Business, which I’m really passionate about. It’s a straightforward, easy-to-read guide that offers real-world business wisdom through short stories of many industries. It covers everything from the highs to the lows of entrepreneurship, giving readers practical insights they can apply to their own ventures. I also started a podcast to compliment the book where I interview many different entrepreneurs.

Saving the best for last, my most important job is being a proud mom of three beautiful humans, Cianna, Anthony and Jaxon. I understand the importance of balance and multitasking in every aspect of life! And during covid when we were shut down, I couldn’t sit still so I now have a real estate license. I’ve always been interested in the world of real estate, and I find it’s a great complement to my entrepreneurial mindset.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Those three qualities—structure, discernment, and time management—are powerful assets in any journey.

Structure provides a solid foundation, keeping you grounded and focused even when things get chaotic. It ensures consistency, builds discipline, and helps turn goals into tangible results.

Understanding what’s important and what’s not that deep allows you to navigate challenges with clarity. It helps you conserve energy for what truly matters while letting go of unnecessary stress, leading to better decision-making and a healthier mindset.

Time management is key to balancing responsibilities, strong mental health personal growth. It ensures productivity without burnout, allowing you to be efficient and intentional with your efforts.

Together, these qualities create a path for success, resilience, and fulfillment.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I make sure to carve out time in my day (or night) to clear my mind. Whether it’s taking a walk, going for a run, or hitting the gym, moving my body helps me reset, complimented with a good music playlist of course—it’s like a fresh start, allowing me to refocus and move forward with a clear head. It’s also a reminder to be grateful for the moment.

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