My story
The girl who did everyone's hair.
My uncle James and my aunt Bella raised me in Virginia. I wasn't allowed to work. The plan was college, then marriage.
The first time I remember caring about fashion and beauty, a friend wanted me to make her a dress, and my other friends wanted me to do their hair. My first real try at braiding a friend's hair went terribly. My own hair? I'm great at that.
A new town.
Home with my aunt and uncle was going great. Then my uncle sold the house and we moved to Lumberton, North Carolina, and I had to meet new people and make new friends. It was hard at first. Now everyone knows everyone here.
Someone got my building.
I wanted to own a business. Money stopped me, and then someone else got the building I wanted. So I went deeper into beauty instead: hair, products, and what looks best on whom.
The haircut.
My lowest moment was the day I cut my hair off and got a fade.
And then I realized something I have been telling women ever since.
I need a village.
I took an acting class and realized it fits me very nicely. My acting coach believed in me, and she was very honest about my work. I gave up on convincing anyone to agree with me.
And I learned that trying to have a career alone doesn't work. I need a village.
Now.
At the mall, women come up to me for advice. They want to know how to feel beautiful. I've been giving it away for free for years, especially to new moms who don't feel like themselves yet.
I'm disciplined about working out and eating well. I write songs. I love Calculus problems, really. And I started to believe I can be a model and a business owner. So that's what I'm building.
