Have you ever found yourself sitting and thinking about what’s next? Feel like you reached a crossroad and unsure which turn to take? Life almost seems to suddenly stop in time. At the end of 2021 that was me. I had just gone through what has been the biggest obstacle I think I’ve faced. We all have ups and downs, but this was different. It was painful, life changing, & permanent. My son’s father, and one of my closest friends, had passed away unexpectedly.

Dec 2021, during the holidays. Nothing felt ok, I always had things organized, with a plan. The beginning development of my career happened with his support, so now who would I go to for trusted feedback right? Also, what am I going to do as a single mom raising our son who he shared an amazing bond with? There were so many thoughts and emotions. With some long days, tears, prayer & support from friends and family I kept pushing each day one step at a time. I knew I had to choose to live, not just for myself, but for both my kids who are watching, and a community of others. I decided then I had a greater determination to make sure the sacrifices made for my career would not be in vain. January 2022 through my business coach I saw a post to do something amazing with my career. For the first time L’Oreal would be offering their training program to the US. The program is designed to provide artist with a year of mentorship and advanced training from artist in and outside of the beauty industry. When I decided to do my submission it required a video of a hair transformation. I incorporated color, cut, & styling and put these very things mentioned in my reasoning to participate, along with having the chance to grow and be pushed creatively. I knew to tap into something different I needed something different.

After a month of waiting, the results finally came via an email….

“Bonjour! congratulations! The ID.Artist winners have been officially announced, and we are pleased that you’re one of the eight, incredibly talented winners that will be the very first ID.Artist in the United States.” ….

I literally begin to cry tears of pure joy. I was not sure I would be selected but to be one of eight?! I was ecstatic, & in some way affirmed for me that I am exactly where I need to be. I’m not stuck, It was time to make a choice of what I wanted for me in the next chapter of my life. My career helped catapult that push as well as helped me to put some of my pain and healing through my work.

I took on the task and each month I was learning something new, and putting to use new skills. From the ID artist leaders, Alexis, Adriana, & Hannah I had amazing support. Training with some amazing artist, Jack Howard, Tippi Shorter, MinKim, Erica Loomey, Johnny Wright, Brian love and a few others. The gratefulness I have for their mentorship is something I still can not express enough. It was exactly what I needed in a very difficult moment that helped me gain clarity of who I am as an Artist and as a person.

At the end of the year Dec 2022 we flew to Newark, NJ and put our training to the test by having our own branding shoot. It was such a full circle moment for me. Just a year prior I was in a dark space, saddened. However, that very thing fueled me in a way that bought me to a celebratory moment the next year. Grief is a journey in itself, but the path I chose by taking the program on I found myself toasting with everyone I was there with and knowing how proud I made my sons father, my community, family and friends but mostly MYSELF. I recreated my business brand, and I had recreated myself. A stronger, determined, elevated version of me.

I absolutely gained more than just new skills from my experience. I am proud to be one of the first eight L’Oréal U.S. ID.Artist winners. I am hopeful for what lies ahead this year in 2023. There will be more to share.

L’Oreal ID.Artist