Today we’d like to introduce you to Vivian McDougald.
Vivian, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
It all started when I was a young girl watching my mother do her client’s hair from home. I use to sit down and watch every hairstyle she did and tried to recreate it on my doll’s head. One year my mother brought me one of them big barbie deluxe styling doll heads, and instead of going outside with my siblings every day, I was in the house teaching my self how to braid and twist hair. I remember the first day I learned how to braid to the scalp; I was so happy and jumping with joy. I don’t even know if she knows, but my mother inspired me so much when I was young. She had clientele back to back and every time she did my sisters and my hair we use to always get stopped at school by people asking us who did our hair and how nice it was. That use to make me feel good, so as I grew up I use to do people hair and never got paid for it. Then one day, my friend’s mother asked me to braid my friend’s hair and she’ll pay me and every since that day I was charging people the same price.
As I got to high school my 12th grade teacher Mrs. Lewis pulled me to the side and was like Vivian, I know you got accepted into college but I think you should go to hair school first get something under your belt and then go to college and do people hair while you in college. Instead I went to college first for business and only finished my freshman year got pregnant with my first daughter then decided to attend hair school. I wish I would of listened to my teacher but sometimes you have to experience things on your own. As I was pregnant, my family members were asking what my next step was and I was telling everybody I was going to hair school so one of my aunties said doing hair ain’t going to take care of no baby. I didn’t let anything she said that day get to me. I attend hair school as a full time student and was working overnight at Kroger. I was always tired in school so something told me to quit.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No, as a hairstylist, it’s never a smooth road, especially starting. Some of the struggles your going to face starting off is rude clients. As you grow, you are going to know that every client is not for, and that’s ok.
Tell us more about the business.
Roses Beauty Bar is home to all your beauty needs. It’s a one-stop shop. I’m a licensed hairstylist and a certified lash tech. I specialize and natural hair and lash care. I’m proud of how far my business has grown just by myself. Even though I got more growing to do, I’m blessed that I’m not where I use to be. People say it’s about how many followers you have, and I’m here to tell you it’s not, it’s all about how you promote yourself and being consistent.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe in luck so I’ll have to say as long as you put God first in everything you do anything is possible. You just have to believe and have faith.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 7708957283
- Email: rosesbeautybar@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosesbeautybar_/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/rosesbeauty.net/
- Other: https://partners-app.fresha.com/online_bookings/62937/link?
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