Story & Lesson Highlights with Amber of Buford

We recently had the chance to connect with Amber and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Amber , it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
One of my most recent moments of pride came when I celebrated two major milestones: my 5th year as a business owner and my 35th birthday. The theme, “All Things Amber,” became a sacred moment of reflection one that felt divinely aligned and deeply meaningful.

What made the celebration so special wasn’t just the event itself, but the heart and purpose behind it. I was able to give flowers both literally and figuratively to the powerful, inspiring women God placed in my life along the way. And in that same moment, I was reminded that it was okay to receive my flowers too.

After 17 years of hard work, sacrifice, and time spent away from my family, standing in a room filled wall to wall with people who genuinely showed up for me left me speechless. I remember thinking, “Lord… all of these beautiful people are here.” I had quietly worried that no one would come, yet God showed me just how wrong I was.

That night was a reminder that the work, the perseverance, and the faith were never in vain. It wasn’t just a celebration it was confirmation. A reflection of God’s faithfulness, the power of community, and a journey honored by love.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Amber Nicole, and I am a hairstylist based in the Metro Atlanta area, called to serve with excellence, care, and intention. I am passionate about helping others feel confident and restored at every stage of life, believing that beauty and confidence are gifts meant to be nurtured.

Creativity is part of how God formed me. Through music and dance, which I began at a young age, I learned expression, discipline, and joy gifts I now bring into my work. I believe every client is “fearfully and wonderfully made,” and my goal is to honor that truth through the way I serve.

My heart for this work is deeply personal. I walked through seasons where I struggled with self-love and confidence, and those struggles affected my relationships and how I saw myself. Through faith, healing, and obedience, God restored what was broken and reminded me that His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

Today, hair is more than a service it is a ministry. Each appointment is a space of peace, encouragement, and renewal, where clients can be reminded to “put on strength and dignity” and walk confidently in who God created them to be.

I believe when we care for what God has entrusted to us, it reflects His love. My mission is simple: to serve with excellence, uplift with intention, and help others leave feeling renewed inside and out.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that operated from fear, self-protection, and constant defense has served its purpose. It carried me through hard seasons, but it cannot go with me into what’s next. I release it with gratitude and trust God with who I’m becoming.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering didn’t define me, but it revealed my resilience. Learning to see myself with compassion instead of as a victim helped me recognize how strong I truly am. Even through painful moments, I continued to show up.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
One belief I am committed to, no matter how long it takes, is helping women feel beautiful inside and out.

That commitment grew from my own healing. There was a time when I stayed in a relationship that was hurting me. Leaving felt overwhelming, and I was carrying more sadness than I knew how to express. In that season, I didn’t fully recognize my own worth, and I accepted less than I deserved.

Last year, something shifted. I began choosing myself slowly, intentionally. I learned how to love myself in a way that brought clarity instead of judgment. With that love came understanding: I could finally see how staying in that space had been a form of self-abandonment, not because I was weak, but because I hadn’t yet learned another way.

Now, I’m committed to healing, patience, and growth. I believe beauty is deeply connected to safety, self-respect, and care. Helping women feel beautiful means reminding them gently that they are worthy of love that does not harm and a life that feels whole.

I’m willing to do this work for as long as it takes, starting with myself.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
The story I hope people tell about me is that my life pointed them toward hope. That through my words, my work, and my walk, they were reminded that healing is possible and that no season is wasted.

I hope they say my story reflected grace that even through broken places, God was present, restoring, refining, and using my life for good. I hope my journey encouraged them to trust God in their own process and believe that what tried to break them could still be redeemed.

More than anything, I pray my life helped others feel seen, strengthened, and reminded of their worth. That my obedience, honesty, and love became a light for someone else when they needed it most.

If my life helped even one person choose faith over fear and hope over despair, then I know I fulfilled my purpose.

That is the legacy I hope to leave.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @A.Nicolestudio
• Facebook: A.Nicole Studio

Image Credits
John Nalls