Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Oglesby-Dotson.
Hi Stephanie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Well, I have always loved doing hair. At first, it was just doing my own but eventually, I was doing it for other people. I was doing other people’s hair before I was even in middle school. I ended up getting a scholarship to a hair school, that’s where I met my husband. I was working in a salon for several years and decided that it was time for me to get my own space so that I could branch out into my other passion, make-up. That’s when I really started branding. I named my salon “Levelz of Beauty.” From there, I expanded even further and created “Femina”, my clothing line.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would say that things have been really smooth. It’s all relative. If you had asked me this question five years ago, I would probably answer differently. The main thing was timing and not getting comfortable. I could have continued doing what I was doing. I was a successful stylist and I loved where I was working. There would have been absolutely nothing wrong with staying in that space but, creatively, I knew that in order to grow, I was going to have to take some risks. That was a little scary but I had faith that things would work out. What I knew for sure is that if I didn’t try then I would never know. Thankfully, my husband is very supportive. I don’t know how this would have worked out if I didn’t have him believing in my vision. Some people don’t have that.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I would say that right now, I’m working in several creative spaces. I’m a business owner, a make-up artist, a stylist, and a clothing designer. Primarily, I am and have always been a hairstylist. That is what I do. Everything else is just a creative extension. I am most known for switching it. You could run into me twice in the same week and I may look completely different. So naturally, a lot of clients come to me when they are looking for a change. I am glad that they trust me with that. I love making people look good. Nothing makes me feel better than knowing that someone is looking at themselves in a new light, a better light and that I had something to do with it. I love what I do and I’m proud of it.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I think being a good person just as a standard will attract good things to you. You get what you give. If people see that you are genuine, then usually they will want to help you succeed. I cannot stress this enough. Build authentic relationships. Treat people well and help others. That’s really what has worked the most for me. Beyond that, I would surround yourself with people that are doing what you want to do and to get rid of anything that is not supporting your vision.
Contact Info:
- Email: step_oglesby@yahoo.com
- Website: levelzofbeauty.com https://www.feminabrand.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stepbfly/; https://www.instagram.com/levelz_of_beauty/; https://www.instagram.com/FEMINABRAND/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/levelzofbeauty/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/stepbfly/
