Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Lynn-Lay.
Vanessa, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a.k.a. “The Blonde Monroe”, I am a Georgia Peach born and raised in Atlanta. I have been married to my husband Johnny 22 years with three sons. I am the Founder of The Blonde Monroe Collection. I have been in the beauty industry as a Licensed Hairstylist/MUA 19 years and Cosmetology Teacher for eight years in Georgia. Styling hair came somewhat easy for me coming from a large family of eight, my mother couldn’t afford to get our hair done at the salon, so I would watch and record the rap/r&b videos back in the late ’80s and ’90s to do our hair. My husband Johnny gave me the push to go to school because he knew I wasn’t happy being a janitor and also doing hair out of our house. He paid for me to attend Roberts School of Cosmetology where I received my cosmetology training as a Master Cosmetologist. As of 2006, I’ve been working at New Beginnings Hair Studio as one of their leading Stylist and Educator.
Being in the beauty industry have been so rewarding, it has allowed me to travel in and out of the states and work on videos and television shows in Atlanta. My love for beauty stretches beyond just hair styling adding makeup and fashion are the marriage of Cosmetology. Taking my career a step further, I knew I wanted to teach others the same career as I was taught, so I furthered my career along side my mentor Nacolia Gipp to become a Cosmetology Teacher in 2011 at Ritz Beauty Academy.
Teaching allowed me the opportunity to train students to pass state broad and become salon owners and platform artists. Being a teacher, I’m always encouraging and ministering to up in coming Hairstylist to use all of the gifts and talents that God have given to them to be the best in this industry.
When I’m not traveling working Hair Shows, I am in the salon full time doing what I love to do styling hair and doing makeovers on women. I love to make women look and feel beautiful for weddings, proms, or just because they need a change. Over the last six years, I have been adding makeup services that my clients can get along with their hair appointments. Being a lover of makeup and wanting to practice what I preach, I decided to launch my own line called “The Blonde Monroe Collection” in March of 2018. My cosmetics line includes mink lashes, eyes shadow palettes, matte/liquid lipsticks, and i’ll be adding more to my line later in the year.
Has it been a smooth road?
Oh my, this road has not been easy for me at all and it’s been very challenging as an entrepreneur in the beauty industry. I didn’t have a mentor that showed me the in’s and out’s of being a hairstylist,or how to market myself like a business. I lost a lot of money by giving away services, not charging like I should ,because I wanted to keep the clients so they wouldn’t go anywhere else. I really did believe that I could be no more than a behind the seen stylist that did the work with no acknowledgement and surely no money. I wasn’t confident enough in myself to speak up and step out. All of this caused me to lose faith in myself and wanting to give up, But God!
God gave me the talent, and never looked to the him for the answers, strategies, or the right connection to help me in my career. Instead fear connected me with people who used my talent, money, and ability to further my career and that’s where I went wrong.
Even though I’ve been faced with many obstacles and challenges I’m thankful for them all. It made me to be the person I am today.
My advice to any young woman who wants to be a hairstylist, fashion designer, makeup artist, actor, or entrepreneur my first advice: Believe in yourself! You are the only one that can stop you from reaching your dreams and goals. Second advice: Write the vision for your life and make it plain! How do you see yourself and your business in five or ten years. Set goals even if they sound unrealistic to others, don’t stop until they all come true no matter what!
Third advice: Learn about that career or business you want to pursue! Get training in it and be sure that it’s something you want to do. Remember time is money. Lastly, mentorship! Don’t be afraid to ask for help in that dream you want to pursue with those who have experience in that field and don’t mind sharing knowledge and taking you under their wings to help you soar.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I love making women look and feel beautiful using my gift. I specialize in: Healthy Hair Care, Trendy Hair Cuts, Hair Extensions, Color, Relaxers, Natural Hair, Education, and Cosmetics. I’m known for teaching and demonstrating hairstyles and tools with Boss Lady Beauty, Sensitive By Nature, Bronner Bros Hair Show, and several other companies brands. What I’m most proud of is my latest cosmetic line that I launched in March 2018, The Blonde Monroe Collection.
The Blonde Monroe Collection is a cosmetic brand that provides an array of affordable cosmetic products for women of all ages. These include mink lashes, eyeshadow palettes, matt/liquid lipsticks, and much more for the enhancement of beauty from within. My desire was to create good-quality and affordable cosmetics that give consumers more for their money without the high-end cost. I’m so proud of myself for taking a faith move and believing in myself that I can have a cosmetic brand of my own.
What set me apart from others is my persistence and perseverance to leave a legacy for my family and take all that I know and have done as an entrepreneur in the beauty industry to inspire other young women to don’t stop until your dreams come true!
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
The biggest barrier today for female leadership is showing support to other women that are in the same industry. We have done away with building a supportive sisterhood empowering each other, starting with our basic principles of who we are our morals, values, integrity. We have become more about tearing down the next stylist for fame or any means necessary to get to the top. I believe we must go back to the foundations that were set before us like Madam C. J Walker, a iconic self made millionaire hair/cosmetic entrepreneur, who helped other women to be successful in the beauty industry as she was.
Pricing:
- The Blonde Monroe Strip Mink Lashes $10-$25.00
- The Blonde Monroe Matte/ Liquid Lipsticks $10.00
- The Blonde Monroe Eye Shadow Palettes $12.00
- The Lash Tool $5.00
- The Blonde Monroe Slayed Faces $ 40-$65.00 (Salon)
Contact Info:
- Address: New Beginnings Hair Studio
1254 Hwy 138 Riverdale, Ga 30296 - Website: www.theblondemonroecollection.com
- Email: theblondemonroecollection@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblondemonroecollection
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblondemonrecollection
Image Credit:
DFlavor Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
