My journey into the beauty industry is deeply personal. In 2018, I lost my mother to cancer, she was my biggest inspiration and the first to recognize my natural talent for nail artistry. She also taught me how to properly care for my skin, a lesson that became invaluable as I struggled with acne in high school. From an early age, my mom encouraged me to pursue my passions wholeheartedly, no matter what they were. For a long time, I struggled to find motivation. But even in my moms absence, her unwavering belief in me continues to push me forward. With time, I realized that my love for skincare, nail care, and artistry wasn’t just a hobby—it was my calling. My ultimate goal is to launch a luxury traveling spa that brings relaxation and self-care directly to hardworking individuals. But my vision extends beyond luxury services, I want to bridge the gap between beauty and accessibility. Alongside catering to high-end clients, I plan to serve low-income communities that often lack access to spa treatments. To create a meaningful impact, I will park my traveling spa twice a month at public spaces like parks, community centers, or local events. This will allow me to offer significantly reduced-cost manicures, pedicures, and skincare treatments—small yet powerful acts of self-care that can boost confidence and well-being. Ideally, I’d love to collaborate with other beauty professionals to expand our reach, offering additional services like haircuts and washes. My goal is simple: to make beauty and self-care accessible to all, regardless of financial status. This past November marked six years since cancer took my mother from me, and it was a wake-up call. I realized that my dream career wasn’t just mine—it was hers for me, too. For years, I felt lost, unsure of where to start. But now, I’ve found the perfect school and a clear path forward. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I am exactly where I am meant to be. More importantly, I know my mama would be proud. Through my traveling spa, I will honor her legacy by bringing confidence, care, and self-love to as many people as possible. Whether it’s a busy executive in need of relaxation or a single mother who rarely gets time for herself, I want to be the person who reminds them that they are worthy of care. This is more than a career—it’s my purpose, my passion, and my way of giving back.

Working at a nonprofit safety net clinic that serves individuals living 200% below the federal poverty level, I see the struggles of our community every day. Many of our clients have difficulty affording food, healthcare, and basic necessities. Our organization provides essential services, including three food assistance programs, medical care for the uninsured, and occasional financial aid for overdue bills. However, I recognized additional unmet needs and took the initiative to address them. Clients frequently came in asking for household essentials like towels, blankets, kitchenware, and personal hygiene items—things that aren’t always prioritized when struggling to make ends meet. After work, I began organizing donations of these items and set up a dedicated storage area in our warehouse to ensure they were readily available. Seeing the impact of this effort, our CEO allowed me to expand the program to include small household appliances such as microwaves, air fryers, and coffee pots—making us a go-to resource for donations. Since we provide these items at no cost, clients don’t have to spend money at thrift stores for things they desperately need. Hygiene products were another critical need. We now receive around 30 donations of men’s, women’s, and children’s hygiene items each week. Every Friday evening, I sort these donations and assemble individual and family-size hygiene kits, ensuring that each household member receives essentials like toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and face wash. I also created pamphlets on proper hygiene to include in each bag, helping to promote good self-care practices. One overlooked area was access to beauty and hair care products. Many clients, particularly those looking for jobs or attending court, lacked basic grooming items that could boost their confidence. Initially, our CEO was hesitant to accept these donations due to space concerns, but I advocated for their importance. Now, I collect and distribute beauty and hair care kits, using my own funds to supplement donations when needed. Clients frequently express how much these small additions improve their self-esteem, particularly for teenagers who want to feel confident at school. While I know I’m not solving poverty, I believe that providing dignity through essential resources makes a difference. When rent is overdue and food is scarce, having access to hygiene items, household goods, or even a little self-care can relieve some of the daily burden. Coming from a low- income family, I know first hand that every small effort adds up, and I’m committed to making life just a little easier for the people we serve.