Today we’d like to introduce you to Valaria Fenderson.
Hi Valaria, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Valaria Fenderson I’m 20 years old and I am the owner of KoutureWinks. I was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia at birth If you didn’t know, sickle cell anemia is an inherited red blood cell disorder that lacks carrying oxygen to the body. Growing up with this disease was extremely hard and difficult to manage and it came to a point where my body started shutting down on me at the age of 11. Months later, fox 5 and 11 Alive picked up my story to try to cure me from sickle cell anemia with Be The Match Bone marrow team. Tons of high schools, churches colleges/universities and non-profit organizations helped me host these bone marrow drives and we successfully saved over 10,000 lives not only with sickle cell anemia but other diseases as well but I, unfortunately, didn’t find a match for myself. After searching for resolutions to help cope with SCA, I found holistic ways to help me with my pain crisis. Fast forward during high school, my mom and stepdad owned a barber and beauty salon off of Roswell Rd called Shadows Cuts & Designs. That’s where the love of cosmetology grew. Every day after school I would work on the salon side braiding or shampooing hair but I wasn’t satisfied, I wanted to find something I really enjoyed doing and I didn’t find out what that something was until I graduated high school and learned about Esthetics.
After graduating high school class of 2019, I found out I was pregnant I was in and out of the hospital a lot so I wasn’t working a 9 to 5. Since I had a lot of time on my hands, I wanted to try something new and that’s when I was introduced to lash extensions by the leasing office manager at my apartment complex. She told me her sister just moved to Atlanta and she is offering classes. Once I did my research, I was definitely interested and I took the class a couple of months later and fell in love with the entire process. I felt like it was the best decision I’ve made for myself it’s definitely the best escape regarding my health and it keeps me busy. Two years later, my business has been flourishing and I have been receiving nothing but positive feedback about my business. I’m extremely passionate about women’s empowerment, self-love and self-care. I want people to not only be inspired about my story but to take this as a lesson that you can do anything you put your mind to no matter what obstacles you’re facing.
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?
My biggest obstacle was and still is my health. Having sickle cell anemia really takes a toll on your body, especially when your still a full-time student, a full-time mother and a business owner. I push through any obstacle i have because there is always a resolution to solve my problems. If you really want something, you’ll do whatever it takes to make things right and chase after your dreams.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a lash technician located in Atlanta Georgia. I specialize in lash extensions and teaching lash courses. I am most proud of not only my growth but how I can help others feel empowered through my work. I love making others feel good within themselves. There is a lot of lash techs in Atlanta and all over the world but you can’t get this experience anywhere else. It’s definitely a whole different ball game over, from how clients are being treated to getting a luxury service and feeling beautiful from the inside out walking out my doors.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
My mindset is if you don’t take risk, you’ll never learn or grow. You will never see your true potential living life being comfortable. I constantly remind myself to never stay comfortable, life is always going to throw a curveball at us and we have to be prepared to move accordingly.
Pricing:
- Hybrid set $105 – $125
- Volume Set $130
- Mega volume $140 – $160
- Beginners Class $650
- Master Volume Course $585
Contact Info:
- Email: kouturewinksllc@gmail.com
- Website: https://labeledkouturewinks.as.me/schedule.php
- Instagram: @kouturewinks
- Facebook: @kouturewinks
- Twitter: @kouturewinks
Image Credits
Photographer @_uptown & @kouturewinks
