Beauty Professionals: The Real Behind the Grind

Not once .. not twice .. but three times

There comes a point when you have to stop playing small—not just for the world, but for yourself. Not only are YOU the problem you’re also the SOLUTION.

This is that moment for me.

I’m Not Ashamed of My Truth.

Let me start by being real:

Yes, I’ve been irresponsible at times.

Yes, I’ve procrastinated.

Yes, I’ve let self-doubt and overthinking steal opportunities right from under me.

But guess what? I’m not ashamed.

I’m documenting this because it’s a part of my growth.

The decisions, the lessons, the setbacks—they’re all shaping the version of me I’m becoming.

So lets chat

Responsibility + Faith + Execution

It’s one thing to dream and pray for opportunities—but if you’re not ready to move when those doors open, what was the point of the prayer? Faith without works is dead. God will do His part, but you have to be responsible with your time, your energy, your discipline. Procrastination is a silent dream killer. It’s disguised as “rest” or “waiting for the right time,” but really it’s fear or laziness dressed up.

When that opportunity hits your doorstep, don’t fumble it. Make it count. Because sometimes the “big break” is hidden in the small task you keep putting off.

Stop Letting People Use You

Let’s just call it what it is: manipulation. People know exactly what they’re doing when they come to you with “I love your work, but I can’t afford that.” Yet they’ll go pay full price somewhere else without question. You are not obligated to lower your standards or price to make people comfortable. They can rise to meet you, or they can walk. Either way, you’re good.

And while we’re being honest—let’s talk about entitlement.

Some people approach me like I owe them something. Like my skills, time, energy, and my resources are automatically up for grabs because of who they are to me, or what they think I “should” be doing.

Whether it’s:

• “You’ve done it before…”

• “We go way back…”

• Or the classic: “I just need something simple…”

I’ve even had someone tell me, “money is the lowest exchange”…

Umm, yeah—tell that to your landlord, sis. lol

People have tried to guilt trip me into servicing them, even using God to do it.

Like I’m supposed to be everybody’s blessing on demand just because I believe in faith and purpose?

No. That’s not faith—that’s manipulation.

And it’s mind blowing the lengths people will go to make you feel bad for setting a boundary. But I’m not moved anymore. No matter how they word it—it’s entitlement.

They feel like they’re supposed to get access to my services, energy, or even my pricing just because they know me, follow me, or have supported me in the past.

But here’s what I had to learn:

Familiarity does not equal access.

Support in the past does not equal discounts forever.

And just because I can, doesn’t mean I will.

That mindset had me drained.

Had me questioning my worth.

Had me tied up in guilt because I didn’t want to “let anyone down.”

But now? I don’t move from guilt. I move with boundaries.

Because being generous doesn’t mean being used.

Be Grateful + Stay Wise

Every opportunity won’t come in the package you expected—but it might be the one that teaches you something priceless. Remain grateful. God gives you what you need before He gives you what you want, and sometimes that “need” is a lesson wrapped in challenge.

Stay humble, teachable, and wise. Humility doesn’t mean shrinking, it means staying grounded in your growth, knowing you’re not above learning, but also not beneath demanding respect.

You’re in a season of building, expanding, and elevating—and that requires clear boundaries, divine discipline, and a heart full of gratitude and fire.

Photo credit: In the City Magazine, Quadir Thomas

I’m not ashamed to be honest.

I’ve been irresponsible at times—yes. I’ve also made survival based choices to make it work… for that moment.

There were moments I thought, “If I pay my car note now, I won’t have gas, groceries, or even money to buy the little things I need for my clients—whether it’s hair, makeup, or tools.”

That was my reality. That was my thought process.

But two things that’s changed, and changed for GOOD:

I’m executing my ideas as soon as they hit me. No more sitting on creativity. No more letting doubt delay the vision. If it comes to mind, it’s getting DONE.

Because a creative mind with no action is a burden.

And I refuse to suffer under the weight of potential I won’t tap into.

No more sleeping on myself.

No more waiting to feel “ready.”

If God gave me the vision, I’m giving it legs.

My prices are no longer negotiable. What I offer has value, and I’m done discounting myself just to be liked or booked.

Being timid and accepting what people offer is not how business-minded women and men move. The people I look up to? They don’t play about their value. And I’ve decided—I won’t either.

Because let’s be honest: I can’t call Mazda Financial Services and say,

“Hey, I did someone’s makeup/hair for promo so I can’t make a full payment this month.”

LMAO—yeah, life doesn’t work like that. Exposure doesn’t pay bills.

And I’ll be the first to call myself out:

I haven’t taken full advantage of the resources sitting right in front of me. I’ll just list ONE.

I have TikTok Shop access. I can go live, create dope content, connect with people, move product, build my brand—but what do I do instead?

I talk down to myself.

I sit in doubt. I let fear drive when I should be in full control.

That ends here. That ends now.

I recognize the pattern—and I know the source.

The devil is a liar, and I’m done letting that voice win.

I’m choosing boldness over fear.

I’m choosing action over perfection.

I’m choosing ME.

Here’s where I’m at:

I have 5 hours left in my instructor’s program. It’s a two-hour commute from where I reside.

Is it a setback? Maybe. But I’m going to finish. And when I do, I’m going to thank God for getting me through.

This post? It’s for ME.

My digital journal entry. My reminder.

So that when I circle back in a few months, I can laugh and say:

“Thank you JESUS. You really brought me through that.”

Right now, I’m at a crossroads. Do I hustle up $25k to keep the car or do I let it go and shift my focus elsewhere? Honestly, I don’t know yet. But either way—I’m still here. I’m still moving.

Moral of the story?

Setbacks don’t mean you’re done.

Be honest with yourself. TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY. Stand on your business. Respect your worth. And know this—every messy, uncomfortable, uncertain moment has a purpose.

This is just a page in the story.

The chapter coming next? I can feel it—it’s major.

So let’s get one thing straight—this shift in me?

It didn’t come from a place of sadness.

It came from release.

My car getting repossessed wasn’t the end of the world—it was actually a weird sense of relief.

I’d already outgrown that season. I’m ready for new.

And honestly? I’ve been manifesting being chauffeured around anyway.

Backseat princess energy. If you know, you know.

Sure—it’s inconvenient because I love my independence and moving when I want to move. But truthfully? That repo didn’t break me—it freed me. And with that freedom came clarity.

What did hit me, though, was realizing how much doubt I’d let in—from my own mind and from people around me.

People who weren’t celebrating my growth because there wasn’t a check attached to it.

People who made me feel like my progress didn’t matter unless it was profitable.

But listen—when you love what you do, the value isn’t just in the paycheck.

It’s in the purpose. The fulfillment. The peace.

And before anybody gets it twisted—my progress posts?

They’re not to flex. They’re not to brag.

I’m documenting MY journey. For ME. On MY page, might I add 😵‍💫🫠🤣

My car got repossessed. Life got real.

But I’m still standing. And I’m still rising.

And most importantly I’m still alive … Moving on 🌊

And before I sign off, let me say this: