Making it Happen
You guys may have heard me say before that my dream is to one day open my very own Natural Hair Care Salon. It’s been a dream of mine for many years now. I love doing hair and makeup and nails! When I first graduated from high school I went to cosmetology school, but didn’t finish. The pressure of being a young mother got the best of me and I stopped going so I could get a full time job. Later in life however, becoming a hairstylist caught up with me and I wound up working in a salon as a stylist for some five years without a license.
It sounds bad, I know. But I didn’t work with chemicals! I was and have always been a natural hair stylist, working with braids, locs, twists, etc. (If I had a client who needed a chemical service such as coloring, I would refer him/her to one of the licensed stylists at the salon I worked with.) In Pennsylvania you don’t exactly need a license to do this type of hair (You only need clearance from your doctor showing you are free from contagious diseases, at least that was the case back then.. The laws may have changed), but you do need one to be a salon manager/owner.
Because of the crazy schedule and hours at my current job, going back to Cosmetology school seemed like an unattainable dream. For me to go back to school, it would involve a lot of maneuvering of my schedule here at the office, and I wasn’t sure they would support my decision. (When I went to college last semester, I didn’t need a special schedule. I only went for 2 hours a day and I took classes very early in the morning.) Also, there was the issue of financial aid. When I went to college last semester, Financial aid did not fully cover my tuition and I had to pay out of pocket for my classes. My tuition was a huge burden. I began to pray about it and put my faith in God that if this was meant for me to do, He would make it happen for me.
One day in casual conversation with my manager and one of my coworkers, we started talking about our goals and dreams. I told them how I’ve always wanted to open my own salon, but needed to go back to school before I could do it. I explained how I didn’t know how to do it because of my schedule being so unpredictable. My manager seemed surprised at me. She told me if I wanted to go back to school that I should go, and that she would work around it. It was floored. I didn’t expect that reaction. She encouraged me to enroll in classes and pursue my dreams.
I enrolled at Cosmetology school and finished up all my financial aid paperwork. My start date is June 1st. The plan is to take classes part time for the first half of the program, then switch to full time. I’ll be attending class Monday through Thursday, from 5:45pm - 9:45pm. Not only did I receive enough financing through grants and loans, I was over funded so I will receive a refund check to assist me with living expenses. So, at the age of 28, I’m going back to hair school! GOD IS GOOD.
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Tags: Bella, enrolled, GOD is good, hair school
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May 6th, 2009 at 9:43 am
God is Good!
I remember we talked about this before. I am so very very excited for you.
This is what happens when preparation meets opportunity! There is a need
for more natural hair stylists. Ever since I went natural, the lady I went to
only knew how to do one style. LOL. Needless to say, I haven’t been in a while.
I hate smelling those chemicals. And there are so many people loosing their hair
due to chemicals.
Let me know how it turns out. Depsite my rants and raves on my blog most folks don’t know
that I help with business strategy/marketing, etc…
Congrats Bella, I am soooo excited for you!
Yeah…I’m going to need an appointment! lol
[Reply]
Bella Reply:
May 6th, 2009 at 10:03 am
You’re right. There aren’t enough natural hair specialists! It wasn’t even offered as one of the areas of study at the school, so I anticipate the need for many additional classes once I finish with school. Nevertheless, I am excited to finish this chapter so I can do what I really love to do, hair and makeup! Your support means a lot to me. Thanks so much
[Reply]
Tami Reply:
May 7th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
of course Bella1 if that is where you heart is, you owe it to yourself
to go for it! i am soooo excited for you!
[Reply]
May 6th, 2009 at 10:46 am
That is wonderful! I toyed with the idea of cosmetology
school because I love to do hair and nails as well and I.
want to open my own salon/spa. It definitely does not fit
into my schedule because I travel for work. I wish you all
the best!
[Reply]
Bella Reply:
May 6th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Thanks
Perhaps one day you’ll have the opportunity to pursue your dreams also!
[Reply]
May 6th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Congrats Mujer! Good Luck in School!
[Reply]
Bella Reply:
May 6th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Thanks LL.. I’ll need it!
[Reply]
May 6th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Good for you!!! I’m proud of you.
[Reply]
Bella Reply:
May 6th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Thanks B!
[Reply]
May 6th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
I’m doing a happy dance for you! Go Bella! Go Bella!
[Reply]
Bella Reply:
May 6th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Me like happy dance! LOL
[Reply]
May 6th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Yay! It’s always worth it to follow your dreams.
[Reply]
Bella Reply:
May 6th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
You’re absolutely right. I’m so excited!
[Reply]
May 7th, 2009 at 8:36 am
You know that was very inspirational. I’ve been thinking about going back to school to get a masters in psychology but just could not fathom 4 years in college while working (gotta have steady income). And possibly even getting grants. But after reading this entry I think i’m gonna look inot that some more. You basically just proved that life really isn’t over until you can no longeer breathe.
[Reply]
Bella Reply:
May 7th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
The steady income part always makes it hard to go back! Luckily, I have support from my family so I won’t have to worry too much, plus I’ll still be working full time (at first anyway). I’m happy to have inspired you! YOU CAN DO IT! Don’t let your dreams become a raisin in the sun
[Reply]
May 11th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Way to go, God is indeed good! What an unexpected blessing
this must have been. Go you, go you! Overfunded is never a
bad thing either, lol.
I wish you the very best.
[Reply]