I successfully persuaded my father, who initially believed I should be pursuing law, to support my decision to enroll in cosmetology school before graduating high school. In doing so, I would be missing out on crucial college preparatory courses in my final two years of high school. Soon after my parents became very ill, my father was diagnosed with hypertension and my mother with cancer. Given my parents' inability to work, they determined that relocating to a one-bedroom affordable housing complex was the best alternative option. These sudden changes forced me to attend a new high school that had their own cosmetology school in place. The only dilemma was that their cosmetology school did not have a high percentage of graduating students. Eager to learn more, my mom and I set up a formal appointment to speak with the counselor. I explained my passion for wanting to chase my dreams in cosmetology but did not think their program would be the best fit for me. I suggested riding the trade school bus they provided in order to catch a ride to another cosmetology school. Shocked by my confidence, the counselor laughed and looked at my mother in awe. My mother looked back at her shrugging her shoulders as if to say “my daughter is in fact persistent and serious about her request.” The counselor proceeded to ask me my age, I told her I was 15, and she went on to speak with the principal about my requested accommodations. Patiently waiting, she returned to let me know they accepted my request! From that day forward I learned to never be afraid to ask for what you want because if you never ask you will never get a “yes” or a “no.” That was a word of advice I always heard my father say. Later on, I passed my state board cosmetology exam and successfully graduated with my cosmetology license in June 1995. A few days later, I received my high school diploma. These were two big milestones in my life, due to my faith and determined nature I was able to accomplish these achievements.

Born from humble beginnings, I am a dedicated mother, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker who has overcome tremendous obstacles to achieve success. After experiencing homelessness and relying on welfare to support my two children, the recent loss of my parents inspired me to strive for a better future for my family.

When faced with the devastating loss of my job and the denial of unemployment benefits, I refused to let circumstances dictate the well-being of my children. Drawing upon my entrepreneurial spirit, I dusted off my business blueprint and began the hard work of building a successful business from the ground up. I was determined to never again allow someone else to control when or how much my children would eat.

In 2023, my dedication and perseverance paid off as my daughter achieved her dream of becoming the lead esthetician at Blissful Body Aesthetics in Rahway, NJ. This achievement is not only a testament to her hard work and determination, but also a reflection of the values instilled in her by a mother who refused to give up in the face of adversity.

I am proud to have taken the lessons learned from my challenging past and turned them into a source of inspiration for others. As a motivational speaker, I strive to empower individuals to overcome their own obstacles and reach their full potential, knowing that with determination and resilience, anything is possible.