Back To School!!

 

I love doing hair, I have been at it for so long it’s just natural for me to be in the beauty shop everyday. As I got a bit older I got this strong urge that I wanted to learn more, I wanted to broaden my horizons I suppose. I have been self employed since I started doing hair and have helped establish a very successful business. When I first thought of going back to school I wanted to go into the culinary field. I love to cook and feed people. But as I got deeper into thought I realized, while I love it, the culinary field might not be for me. With two kids at home working in a restaurant environment could be challenging. Most times hours would probably be evening and nights taking time away from my mom duties. So, I decided to get a business degree. With a business degree I can go about anywhere. I love the beauty industry so I’m hoping to stay in this field and maybe own my own shop someday.

I graduated high school almost 20 years ago. I attended college for one semester and decided to work full time instead of go to school. After working full time and getting married I went to beauty school. While it is school, it’s definitely not like a traditional college. Going back to school and being in the college environment has been a very different experience for me. Things have changed a lot since I was 18! Not to mention I have two kids in school also. My son is in 8^th grade and my daughter in 6^th.

When I told my kids I was going back to school my daughter asked what would happen to her and her brother. I didn’t know what she was talking about. Come to find out she thought I was going "away" for college. So, in her mind I was going to live on campus and leave them at home. Kids think the funniest things! My kids have adjusted to the new routines of mom being in school. They ask what I did in class and if I have homework. The big thing for us now is to all three sit down and do our homework. This is not traditional at all, but I hope I am teaching them it’s never too late to learn more and no matter what obstacles there are a person can always chase their dreams.

Hairstylist to the Stars ;)

Being a hairdresser isn’t all glamorous as people might think. It’s long days spent standing and bathed in other peoples hair. It’s being nice when you might not feel like being nice. It’s working day and night to build up a clientele list. But, it’s also so rewarding! When I have a client in my chair that is having a bad day and a new hair color and cut brightens her day, I win! I love the thought of making someone feel good about themselves, it makes my hard work well worth it. On the other end of that a client can make the day turn not so great too!

Typically, Fridays in my shop are crazy. We start at 9 a.m. with little old lady hair do’s. For anyone that doesn’t know what these are, they involve rollers, dryers, teasing, hair pins and lots of hair spray! Sometimes these women can be so sweet and kind, other times not so much! With 5 hairstylists in the shop and each of us have at least one little old lady it can get crazy fast! We all have to talk loud because most of them can’t hear. But, we also come to love our "Friday Ladies". We recently had one to turn 100 and threw her a birthday party. That is one of the joys of doing hair and having these little old lady do’s.

Through all of the craziness, though, I love my career. It has helped me in raising my kids and I get to do what I love. Being self employed is great for a schedule, I can be off to attend school functions with my kids when need be and I can work later if the need arises also. I have made many lasting friendships being a hairdresser. My clients have become very special to me. One of my favorite parts of being a hairdresser is watching kids grow. I have been in the business long enough to see kids start school, graduate, go to college, get married and start their families.

Being a hairdresser isn’t just about hair, it’s so much more than that. We become friends, therapist and secret holders. We gain an extended family that we grow to love. And, if we are good, we keep these friends and clients for many years. It’s a hard business to get started in and even harder to stay successful, but the hours of hard work are so worth it!

On Being A Single Mom

I am a single mom. No one grows up saying, "I want to be a single mom when I grow up". But, sometimes along life’s way it happens. There are many bumps and bends in the road of a persons life and this just happens to be one of mine. I suppose that makes it sound like a disease or something really bad, quite the contrary. I love this time in my life, I have found myself and created a relationship with my kids that is beyond measure. Now, this single mom thing isn’t for everyone! Those women that have to have a man around or are scared of noises in the night or a clogged toilet need not apply! Being in this position a girl has to learn to take control and be able to conquer whatever comes her way. We become plumbers, carpenters, grounds keepers and whatever other odd job that happens along. We learn to do things we thought we would never have to do.

In years past it was thought that a woman should stay home cook, clean and take care of children. Well today, more than in years past I would assume, that is totally not the case. Now, often times, women add work and sometimes school to these duties. We are more independent and more driven to do more than just be a house wife and mom. We want careers and make goals for ourselves. I am proud to teach my kids that no matter what comes your way there is always a way to improve ourselves, to meet these goals we set.

I’m not taking anything away from the stay at mom types, that’s great for some, but add a few more "to do’s" to that list and see how you feel at the end of the day. Maybe that’s said out of jealousy or resentment or a deep want to be that mom.......yeah it’s not!! I love the fact that I can get out into the world and show people I can do this, I am strong, I am me, and I will kick butt! I also love the fact that I am teaching my children to depend on themselves for what they need and want. Don’t ask for anything in life, tell yourself you want it and go get it, make it happen.

As a working mom one of my pet peeves is laziness. It seems our government these days will reward people for not wanting to work. They can stay home and get checks in the mail for doing absolutely nothing. I totally agree that sometimes people need help and have hard times, most of us have seen hard times! But to make a career of this is so appalling to me. I don’t ask for any assistance from anyone, I work for what I have. So, to all the working single moms out there, ROCK ON sisters! Reach for the stars and keep your dreams and goals alive!

Sometimes a cape seems necessary!