Today we’d like to introduce you to Marley Wilkins.
Marley, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
When I was young, I loved styling and playing with hair. I helped out with pageant hair as long as I can remember. It was always my passion and my favorite thing to do.
As I got older, I wanted to turn my passion into my career. Of course, hairstylists were looked down upon by many people in my small town. They expected everyone to go off and be lawyers or doctors. Many people, even my school career counselors, told me that I would never make a career out of doing hair. That I would never make enough money to survive in life. My grandparents wanted me to go into the medical field as well, so it was a struggle to pursue my dreams with everyone against one.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Thankfully, my mother and my friends supported me and pushed me to chase after my dreams.
As far as I can remember, I wanted to go to Paul Mitchell the School. I didn’t want to settle for a regular cosmetology school, I wanted to go big or I didn’t want to go.
I ended up graduating high school in December of 2016 instead of May of 2017 because I finished all of my credits. At the time, I wanted to go ahead and start school at Paul Mitchell, but I didn’t have the money to go.
A man in our town, Mr. Ayers, funds everyone to go to school after high school, but only a 4-year college. He wouldn’t fund for me to go to Paul Mitchell because “it’s it a real school.” So, once again, my dreams were shut down and put in on hold.
They came out with the Tennessee promise, so I was able to go to a community college for free. I enrolled in a Tennessee Technology School for cosmetology but ended up not going because if I couldn’t go to Paul Mitchell, I didn’t want to go.
Time passed, and I still didn’t have the money for Paul Mitchell so I decided to take online courses at Jackson State Community College, in case I found something else I’d like to do. I finished my courses and decided I didn’t want to do anything if I couldn’t do hair. So, I decided to take a break from school and just spend the summer working to save up money to attend Paul Mitchell.
Before summer break, around May, Paul Mitchell the School called me. They called to inform me that they now accept financial aid and payment plans. Boy! That was the best call I ever received!
I talked to my mom and we were able to go tour the school and in June, I signed my contract with Paul Mitchell and started school in July 2017! My dreams were finally coming true. All it took was patience and faithfulness. All Glory to God! One thing this taught me was to never give up on your dreams! Trust God and have faith and most importantly that things happen on His time, not ours!
I graduated school in August 2018, passed my tests with flying scores, and began working at my salon home the next week!
I have now been graduated and working for four months, I have my own place (which I pay for myself), my car (which I pay for myself), I pay all my bills, groceries, gas, and still have money left over for FUN!
To all the people who said I wouldn’t make a career out of it, I already have in just four months… and I am thriving!
I did all this just since graduated, and all on my own! I did not work while I attended school, so I started from the bottom and worked my way up.
Your dreams and goals are possible! And as long as you fight for them hard enough, they will come true!
Please tell us about your work.
I am a cosmetologist. My favorite things are blonds and styling!
Contact Info:
- Email: hairbymarls1@gmail.com
- Instagram: @hairbymarls
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