Tarra, thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. First, we would like t o know more about your background. Where are you in America originally and what you brought in Jakarta in the first place?
Thank you for having me! I am originally from Wichita, Kansas. The work of my husband in aviation brought us here in Jakarta. We have lived here for more than two years.
As the wedding issue, could you share with us some of your wedding to your Indonesian husband, Harry? Have you had a traditional Indonesian wedding?
Yes, we had a traditional Indonesian wedding. The family of my husband Batak Toba, our wedding took place in a few hours kampung Lake Toba.
Where did the idea of opening the salon Tarra comes?
The idea of opening the Tarra furniture came from my husband and me. It was hard for me to find a salon that could meet my high standards and expectations. My husband, who is an entrepreneur, thought it would be a good business opportunity.
Batak marriage
what you do or where did you work before the opening of the Salon Tarra?
Before Tarra Show's opening, I was working as a nurse in Kansas. Once I moved to Asia, I became a housewife and stay at home mother.
The slogan of your living room is "quality of expatriates. Could you explain what that means? What customers can expect when they step through your door?
"Expat Quality" to me, means that our services and products we use meet the needs and standards of the expatriate. Customers can expect to receive a warm welcome from our staff when they step through our doors. We always treat our customers like they are family. Make the customer happy is our first priority.
What about the price range for your services - could you share some of that price ranges Tarra Salon-between Rp.200,000 to .1,500,000 Rp.
What would you recommend for a bride (and her bridesmaids) to have done before the big day? What could the Tarra Salon offer them?
I recommend the bride to have a series of monthly facials beginning as early as six months before the wedding, which will ensure her skin is flawless on her wedding day. The Tarra salon could offer an aromatic facial by Guinot. It is a soothing treatment that combines essential oils, a plant concentrate mask and massage to balance and revitalize the skin.
Is it something that people do not really know what it takes to be a beautiful bride until they experienced it themselves? Some tips for avoiding style disasters?
what it takes to be a beautiful bride is a well thought out schedule. Time planning, months before the big day will save you lots of headaches and stress. To prevent a style disaster, it would probably be a good idea to have a "dress rehearsal" for the hair and make-up several weeks before your wedding day.
I notice that you provide makeup services to your living room as well. Does your makeup artists include carnations expatriates, ensuring they provide make-up to suit different skin tones?
Tarra salon makeup artists include expatriates carnations rather well. For special events, our show is always full with expatriate clients who want their makeup done. We carry many makeup palettes that would suit all skin tones.
Where did you source your staff in your living room and what was the training process like for them?
We have several staff who have worked as designers in the Kemang area for over 20 years. For our newest staff, our manager puts them through a proper training program. After training, we guarantee the competence and quality meets our standards prior to release to manage clients.
How did you or the manager of your living room overseeing the quality control?
Our creative director oversees the quality control by conducting our staff in providing exceptional customer service. It also recommends what product is best for the living room to use and that our customers prefer. We all work together to really ensure quality Tarra Show is the best.
What is it about co-salon owner you absolutely love?
I love being a co -owner a living because I feel I'm helping people. We helped our staff by giving them a great new place to work and we help our clients by keeping them beautiful and happy.
I grew up in a salon environment, which my mother had an expat living in Bandung! It was so much fun for me as a child. Do you have children or have plans to have children?
Yes, I have a son. His name is James and he is four years old. I think he likes going to the salon. Sometimes it even helps me clean!
Could you share what life is like for you in this sprawling capital city? Where are you going to escape traffic and chaos?
Life in Jakarta is very busy. Every day I have somewhere I need to go, whether to help my business or his son's school. When I have time to relax, my family and I really enjoy going to Lake Toba. It is a wonderful place that I think many people overlook. Beautiful scenery, friendly people and good food; you can not beat it.
Please summarize in one sentence Jakarta.
Jakarta. A bustling city full of opportunities