Full Circle

   When I was in seventh grade, I knew I wanted to be in the beauty business. In high school I was enrolled in Cosmetology school and then  after graduation went  to barber school to earn another license. I worked as a subcontractor for seven years and then opened my first barbershop. One would think “How great to work for yourself,” but in reality you have all kinds of different situations can arise. I worked alone, so this meant no sick days, no personal days, no paid vacations. I could make my own hours and  some days I  made a lot of money; yet worked until I was half dead or I worked very little  and made no profit.
    I started to dabble into acting.  I had an agent. He mentioned that I should start doing the hair and makeup for the models.  I began to see the light, better pay, better hours and notoriety. I went on to learn my new craft, traveling to Chicago and New York to enhance my skill.
     The Cleveland market is so concentrated. For example, upon breaking into the business, I called to offer assistance to a local artist. She actually lectured me, citing her unwillingness to give up her "secrets" or help me out. She was not the only one to feel this way. Putting this hurdle aside, I made it my mission to be on top. I reached out to my acting agent to sign me as a stylist for their talent pool. This allowed me to make connections and doors started to open. I  was busy enough to leave the barbershop to embark on this new career. 

            The skills as an actress now helped with being behind the scenes. I must confess:  I feel more comfortable as an artist, stylist, and consultant than an actress.  After fifteen years of doing makeup commercially, I now get the emails from students saying they would like to shadow me and calls from  other artist wishing  to assist with me. Do you know what I do?  I email or call them ALL back. I am confident in myself and my work that I will still have a job.  If I help someone out, he or she  will gain knowledge and confidence in themselves to determine if this is his or her true career path. I don’t care to be rude like the artist that spoke  harshly to me.  I know this city is small and work here is scarce, but I feel you still have to be kind. At the end of the day I know I can feel good that I might have made a difference.