Today we’d like to introduce you to Alea Wood.
Hi Alea, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello! My name is Alea Wood. I’ve been a master cosmetologist & educator for over 23 years. Residing in Atlanta, Ga, originally from Savannah,Ga. Just happy to still have a passion all these years for enhancing women and men’s beauty. I was an at-risk, troubled youth and doing hair was my outlet. It allowed me to make money at 12 years old to be able to buy shoes and clothes for school so I instantly saw a benefit in it as well besides making little girls beautiful. I did all the neighborhood children’s hair for free and then when I got better, I started charging. It started in my mother’s living room.
I became a high school dropout at 15, enrolled in Cosmetology School and went with all adults. Got my GED and started in the Salon World. I was blessed enough early on that a lady named Angie. She saw my drive, determination and skill and offered me a rental position at her salon. She became my mentor, my friend, a sister, a mother figure all in one. A woman of class and she instilled in me things about work ethic, professionalism, etc that have stayed with me throughout my career. Me being bi-racial, with a white mother and black father, it was an uphill battle to prove myself in a predominantly black hair industry, as well as establishing myself as a force to be trusted. I will say my fearlessness, drive & determination to make it no matter what as well as proper guidance from Angie Brown and then later in my career under Derickus Crawford after relocating to Charlotte, NC, I was able to leave an impact and make my mark. Over the 20-plus years, I wanted to master every aspect of the industry from the salon, extensions, barbering, esthetician side and after 2 back surgeries that retired me from the hair industry, I had a newfound love in the permanent cosmetic industry. It wasn’t easy getting started but you do have to have a relentless attitude and determination to learn and master it.
My 2nd year, I reached six figures and have been consistent for the last six years, trained & mentored women from all over the country, offered online training courses & classes, started a small and growing online beauty supply store, began my consulting business helping other women & men start their businesses & training curriculums the right way, and have a lot more things in the works. Just excited to be a part of this forever-changing industry and continue to make women beautiful & deliver excellent customer service, which is my first priority. I opened Gypsy’s Salon & Medispa in Atlanta and business coach with over 200 ladies nationwide. Also working only non profit and just excited about the future .
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. Being a business owner in general is not an easy task and not for the weak. I have heard A lot of NOs. But you know what I tell others, after a few No’s, you may run into a yes, so keep going. Also, you have to cut out the noise and have tunnel vision. This can be a challenge in this day and age so if you need to take a step back do that and get right back in the game. If you are blessed enough to be able to have a support system to assist you, utilize them. I unfortunately do not, but that still has not stopped me. Work with what you have. You just have to develop a relentless, determined,” I’m going to do this and nothing is going to stop me “attitude and just do it. It’s really you versus you.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
So I specialize in Permanent Cosmetics Tattoo including Ombre Brows. Over the years, I have added so many services to this umbrella, such as Faux freckles, Lip Blush & Neutralization, Tattooed Hairlines, Scalp Micro-pigmentations for ladies and men with balding or thinning hair, beauty marks, Tattoo Highlighter Concealer, etc. I have a lot of fun with Permanent Cosmetics because it still allows me to be an Artist and is fulfilling to my spirit because this can literally change their life and restore their confidence. It has allowed me to work on numerous celebrities as well as fix insecurities they may have had for years.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t have good luck, that’s for sure. I have grit, drive and a hard work ethic. Nothing was easy at all. lol. I will say not being afraid to make calls, ask questions, and meet new people has opened some doors for me that may have been closed but besides that only by the Grace of God have I made it. lol
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.enhancedbygypsy.com
