***In 1998, I enrolled in Canella School of Hair Design. I completed in 1999, took my state board right away and failed. I was slightly discouraged, because I didn’t have at the time- people that understood my passion. Everyone around me thought it was just a hobby. I didn’t stop doing hair, though. I worked in a couple of salons. I then enrolled in Pivot Point, but got kicked out because I missed one week of class in the beginning, because my car stopped working. Then my daughter got sick. This happened back-to-back. Frustration hovered because I felt every time I started something, something else knocked me down. I structured myself and then enrolled in John Amico, where I gained soooo much more motivation and support for what I wanted to do. I had hard times completing it, but I still did it! I never gave up. I was and still am determined. I am so thankful to all those that have pushed me and supported me the way they knew how. Again, I’m not done yet, but I’m over that hump that at first seemed impossible.
John Amico’s Comment posted on Facebook:
You are inspirational. Your journey is admirable. Your focus and commitment is short and long term with milestones and goals. You spelled it out well, and anyone who has the fortitude can follow and say, ‘If she can do it, so can I’. You have modeled your behavior to match your goals and accomplishments. All I can say is, if anyone says the beauty business doesn’t work, it means they don’t. You and many others who have made the commitment to be great and did not let their personal issues in life take them off course. They can do it! Thanks for sharing. ‘You are the Greatest!’ Zig Ziglar would always say, ‘See you at the top!’ You are on your way! Congratulations!
Noya Love
As posted by Noya Love on John Amico’s Alumni Success Network. A Personal Success Journey
I remember when I got my first job at the art gallery for the summer. I was getting paid $4.25 an hour. I was just 15 or 16. Then I worked for KFC all of two days. I don’t remember the pay, but it wasn’t too much more and I was 16 or 17. Then I worked for a bank full-time with benefits and $9 an hour at 18 years age. Worked there for a while and then I got hired downtown working for Ritz Camera as a salesperson making $9.25 and then was promoted to the Key Technician and my pay was increased to $10 an hour. That was in 2001. I was then hired as an Assistant Manager at Jessica McClintock making $10.25. From there I was hired at CVS Pharmacy as a cashier making $10. After helping them open the location on Torrence, I Was promoted to Photo Lab Supervisor, getting paid $12 per hour, with full benefits and bonuses quarterly. I worked for US Cellular Customers Service, making $14 an hour with bonuses and of the best benefits plans I had ever seen at the time. I left there and went back to CVS, dropping my pay back to $12, but then got hired at McGraw Hill Publishing in 2007 working on a temp contract as customer service. That also paid $12 an hour , but after testing was promoted to Tier 2 Tech Support getting $14 an hour. I left there and was hired on temp assignment at $15 an hour in Lincolnshire as technical support, then went to Itasca, got hired twice on another contract… also for $15an hour. From there, I was hired at Comcast’s sales department, making nothing less then $17 an hour, not including cash bonuses quarterly, and again, the best benefit plan I had ever seen. I left there by choice to stay home with my baby and do hair and take more classes. During that time, I got a Computer Information Technology degree. I was denied a few other jobs, and started a higher degree that I couldn’t complete financially. I got more certifications in Cosmetology and worked a few odd end sales jobs just for quick buck. I got my license in Cosmetology which was LONG over due. I connected and networked with some amazing people in the cosmo industry. This got me even more motivated and confident in my carft and what I bring. I landed in a great salon, which I still work at part-time and have opened my very own business. When I tell you the bumps, the hurt, pain, tears, the ups and down, the denies, the rejects the doubts, my daughter, the laughter, the side-eye, the lost and gained relations have given me the continued motivating to strive for what I knew would make me happy. Now I work for ME. I do it my way, at my time, for as long or as little as I want, and I’m happy! I make nothing less than $65 an hour. That’s silk press. In 2000, I charged $25 and would often times be asked for a discount or a break. Today, people pay me what I’m worth and more sometimes. My tips double my highest service charge when I braid.
Please understand when I tell you I am truly thankful to everyone that has ever supported me, doubted me, denied me, laughed at me , talked bad about me…. just for mentioning me, I thank you. Without any of it, My presence would be in vain . I have proved them right, proved them wrong. I have inspired them to be better. I have created haters. I have created all types of energy for good and some bed, but most importantly, I have lived with purpose, dignity, respect, love, joy and I have made a mark in this universe, My little girl will know what it is to live even beyond me. She will create her goals and dreams and she will live in her moments. She will learn from any mistakes, as she also creates her own. My wish is to create a dent, a separation, a void from any generational curses that may or may or not be. I am still paving a way and until my soul rises, I will work for the greater. My prayer is that she sees me and she understands me. She grew under my heart, so she knows it best, outside our Creator. In closing, none of this is possible without him, without faith, without trial and error. I have not made it, yet but I’m getting there. I’m leaning and that’s what matters.
I’ m hopping no one thinks I’m boasting , but yet , I’m proud of my accomplishments. I could have been an example of my environment, personally and or in public. I made a choice to be better. Never say never. Never say, I can’t. Never settle.(I’m still working on this). Never deprive yourself. You deserve your own type of happy. Be an example for yourself. BE in competition with yourself. Be positive at all times. Be faithful in all that it stands for. Be your own trailblazer if you can’t find any around you. Make no excuses. I haven’t made it made it there, yet, but I’ve made it some where. I’ am still going , but it doesn’t stop.