My greatest joy to see female power and positivity. Setting goals and getting ready to tackle them. Especially first time moms. Diving into a new work career and beginning the journey of motherhood is awe-inspiring.
A warm and gratifying welcome to a beautiful friend…
Meet Naeemah Campbell, 22.
As a new mom not knowing what to do for a living to provide, I had so much on my mind that “hair” was far from my worries. Being a young mom was a new experience that required more mental and physical strength than I was ready to give. At the same time, my little bundle of joy not only needed me in good spirits, but she also needed me to provide.
My cousin proposed an opportunity to work at a salon she was working at, as a new receptionist. I have extremely curly hair and barely knew how to maintain it. So when she sold me on the fact that it was an all curly hair salon, I saw this as an opportunity to make some money and possibly learn a new craft. Never having been employed, it was obvious I was nervous. Fast forward to my interview, I got hired and my boss declared one main rule to follow: “Always wear your curly hair in its natural state.” Easy enough. So there it was...
I began my new life, at my new job, with my new baby and new experiences.
Months went by, and I became so intrigued. I was eager to do more so I asked my boss if she needed assistance with washing clients hair. Things were done differently in this salon. Not only did everyone keep their hair at its natural state, but there were no blow dryers present. Haircuts were done dry, as opposed to wet, as a result left clients with a beautiful shape. Every client left looking like a million bucks, it was fascinating. It brought joy seeing the salon busy and full of curly heads. So there it goes, assistant stylists then becoming head stylists, therefore requiring an assistant, and lightbulb. ME. I could assist them.
My boss taught me all the fundamentals of properly washing curly hair. So I had some homework to do. In due time, she took interest in my interest, found another receptionist to replace my spot and there it began, I was a full-time assistant. I was ecstatic, to work harder, to run around like a crazy woman, loving every second of it. My daughter was growing beautifully, money was coming in and I was starting to feel like somewhat of an independent and established woman.
Fast forward to several months down the line, the summer had approached. Slow season we called it. I got the job in November 2016 and couldn’t believe in a couple more months I would have already been a year with the salon. That also meant my daughter was going to be a year old! I survived my first year of motherhood and my first job. My boss told me she saw potential and suggested I go to beauty school and obtain a license. While they didn’t teach curly hair there, she reassured me that I’d continue to learn everything I needed to know right there in the salon. I felt at home. My tunnel vision was on that license, to do anything in cosmetology.
As my time in beauty school went on, I was a huge advocate for curly hair. I promoted it like it was my second job. I began educating people and letting them know there’s more to doing hair and styling hair then just offering someone a blow out or let alone using heat. Using water, conditioner, and styling products. Leaving your hair natural. They were curious, but not sold on the idea. No big deal. I had all intentions of influencing and encouraging them to take on their natural self all through my career. We firmly believed in that at my salon, as did I.
At this point in my beauty and work career, clients not only remembered my name, they requested for me, and spoke highly of me. They were fond of my energy and presence I brought forth, it felt great. I remain diligent with my studies, stepping out of my comfort zone by doing more than cuts, just about everything.
Being in service of people made me feel good and in return they felt good. They walked around with my name on their hair, that’s how I saw it. I graduated beauty school in June 2018. I received my license later in December after completing a state written and practical exam, and have been an official licensed cosmetologist since. My clientele has grown an abundance. I never thought I’d see that. As liked as I was, it takes a while to grow in this industry.
Similar to other fields, it feels like you’re in competition, so you must stand out to succeed. Patience played a huge role in this work, but along with balancing being a mom and working full-time quickly taught me patience and that...
Things.
Take.
Time.
I didn’t only stick to hair as I'm certified in three branches: nails, skin, hair. I continued my education by studying skin. Social media has been a great avenue to network, engage with clients and get inspired.
2020 arrived. And in the midst of the chaos, I’ve continued to work at the same salon I started at. November 2020 marks four years in the books, with a 4-year-old, two social media accounts, and consistent, constant effort and I couldn't be happier. Content but not satisfied. Manifesting and putting the things I want into the universe and achieving them no matter what.
