Studio B

Experience Pure Bar.

I recently had the opportunity to give back to an industry that changed the trajectory of my life. Beauty Changes Lives hosted the One Day, One Ticket fundraiser and I was given the opportunity to sponsor a mentorship in honor of the person whose example, encouragement, and belief in me continues to impact me to this day. She is not only my mentor but now my life long friend. Thank you, Neila. ❤️

I began working in a salon in high school as a receptionist. Soon I was taught to shampoo guest’s hair. (Don’t laugh, it’s not as easy as it may seem.) I LOVED being in the salon environment.

I headed to college pursuing Art and Design and while in school I got a part-time job in a local salon as a Receptionist. (I won’t mention the one week job in a restaurant...) It didn’t take long before I became an assistant to a very busy, successful, and vivacious Stylist. I realized the depth of my passion for the Beauty Industry, and that I wanted to pursue Cosmetology as a career path.

I remember making the call to my parents to inform them of my “great news”. They did not share in my excitement at first and emphatically encouraged me to complete my college curriculum. However, after much discussion and deliberation they ultimately supported my decision and even funded my tuition at a private Atlanta Cosmetology school. I realized then and especially now just how fortunate I was that they paved the way. More often than not, that is not the case for Stylists pursuing Cosmetology.

While in Cosmetology school I secured another job as a part-time Receptionist in an exclusive Atlanta salon. Once again I soon found myself as an assistant to an amazing group of Stylists. From that group Neila became my mentor. She exemplified and taught me an unparalleled level of artistic and practical excellence that set the course for my career. She also pursued learning and expanding her own skills through education with a passion that was contagious. She is a natural teacher. One couldn’t help but grow being in her proximity.

In true mentor form she ultimately encouraged me to expand my horizons and helped me reach goals within my own business that moved me beyond working beside her in the salon.

This industry has unlimited potential. It is amazingly adaptive. There is nothing better than a mentor that believes in you not just in the beginning of your career but throughout. I’m forever grateful to have that in Neila. Beauty Changes Lives enables lives to be changed one scholarship and one mentorship at a time.

Thank you, Candy Shaw, for all that you do to educate and support, a worldwide mentor if you will. Thank you, Beauty Changes Lives and all involved to create and operate this organization. So happy you do what you do.