We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tara Morgan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tara, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Success and effectiveness have always come down to relationships in my various careers, whether as a rowing coach, a professional fundraiser or now as a barber in my community. My business itself – C’mon Barber – is also unique here on Vashon Island, so it stands out and that invites a lot of interest and wonder. In my professional and personal life, I’ve enjoyed infusing my unique talents of being inquisitive, a good listener and excited about possibilities that can only happen with true connection.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My name is Tara Morgan. Originally from Oak Ridge, TN, I live on a small island outside Seattle called Vashon Island. Living in a community of less than 11,000, opening a business is bound to draw attention of all kinds your way. Mine is C’Mon Barber, established in the heart of lockdown in late 2020.
As did many people, I “pivoted” at the age of 46 to a new career as a barber. The idea had been percolating for many years and the COVID shutdown opened the door as neighbors and friends became shaggier and needed relief from isolation. Previously, I had a career in fundraising, where I most enjoyed the relationship-building. Barbering has provided this in spades. For the first two years, I packed a barber kit on the back of my electric bike and was “Vashon’s Mobile Barber”, before buying and converting a 1984 step van into a barber shop. That shop opened in 2022 at our local Country Store and Farm. By the time it had opened, my clientele list was impressive for a novice barber, and at the heart of it, were my unique values and business practices – fun, creative, accessible, and family-oriented. I started to call myself a “community barber” and set out to embrace people where they are in the moment. I offer services not available anywhere else, such as walk-up appointments, genderless haircut menu and a safe space for all ages.
Every day, here at C’Mon Barber, there are mentions of how unique the business is and how much it means to our community. Just recently, I had the opportunity to give haircuts to two autistic kids who’ve had no success elsewhere. All my tools were used, starting with patience and kindness, ending with fun and, of course, stickers and dinosaur flashcards.
The experience here is also unique – housed in a converted step van, parked at a popular country store & farm in a beautiful location. Together, my clients and I embrace identities and ideas, celebrate life happenings and more.
My success is 100% related to kindness and openness and being consistent in both. Repeat and referral clients tell me over and over the ease of coming to my little truck-based shop and the relaxed experience overall. They are referring to the ease of booking itself, but also to the experience once in the chair. I’m still a novice barber by many standards, but the community embraces me and my journey. I’m inspired to learn every day how to meet the unique needs of my island and my clients.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities that have been the most impactful in my journey have been community, creativity and humor. Without these, I would not enjoy the challenges and the growth that comes with life-at-large. My advice for anyone early on in a journey is to look around, have your head on a “swivel” and ask questions. And then listen/observe. The people you invite into your journey may not always be a perfect fit, but they are bound to teach you from their unique experiences.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
An ideal client for C’Mon Barber is one that arrives with curiosity and honesty, with a side of humor. Being open to connection only works if both are invested, but it’s up to me to open that door, literally and figuratively.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cmonbarber.com
- Instagram: cmon_barber
- Facebook: CmonBarber
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-morgan-48892ab/
Image Credits
Elise Giordano, Photographer – the single photo of me in the woods with the barber kit. All other images are mine.
