A personal journey of faith and perseverance as one woman discovers that true success comes not from chasing opportunities, but from embracing purpose and letting go of fear along the way.
Her Story
About Cora
I've been in the beauty industry for over 30 years, and it all started because my mother was a beautician. Growing up, I saw everything behind the scenes, and while I initially thought I didn't want to do all of that work, I later realized that being a leader and being in control was very beneficial. My career really took off when I applied for a job at a beauty salon franchise, and through a series of unexpected events, I ended up being put in charge of an entire salon. I worked 9 to 9 every day for about 5 years, and after doing that, I told myself that if I could do this for somebody else's multi-million dollar company, I could do it for myself. I went back to school to sharpen my skills, attending Empire Beauty School, then Dudley's University where I learned branding and PR and worked with professional photographers. I also took a course with Sam McKnight, who did Princess Diana's hair, and learned runway work and how to create vision boards in collaboration with designers. Now I have my own shop in a new location, and my main expertise is hair weaving and selling 100% human hair wigs through my two websites. I handle everything in my business - the payroll, buying supplies, and collaborating with other professionals. This isn't just a job to me, it's a service and a lifestyle. I'm always looking for ways to help somebody else get to the next level in their life. I'm a master at what I do, and I've had moments like when a bald woman came into the salon and everyone referred her to me because they knew I could handle the challenge. After I gave her a beautiful style with a bang and bun for a wedding, everyone in the salon was clapping. It's moments like that, let me know I'm a unique individual and that what I do makes a difference and lifts people up.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Cora
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to serve in excellence as I know for sure nothing is perfect I'am reminded I should stive towards excellence. Note: Daniel was preferred because an "execellent" spirit was in
him. Daniel 6:3 KJV
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to always believe in yourself first and take everything to God in prayer. God is the solution to all of your problems and challenges. In business, there's always going to be challenges, and from my own experience, when I take anything to God in prayer, he is the answer to all the problems and challenges that I have. You need a solid foundation, and even if someone doesn't believe in God, whatever it is that they do believe in gives them power. You need a source of power in order to move forward. You won't be any good to yourself if you can't move in power and you don't have a strong foundation.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The advice I would give a young women entering my industry is called the four W's. What is your purpose? What is your plan? What is your vision? and What is your mission statement?
Her Content Hub
Articles by Cora
In Preparation For The Journey
From dreams of sponsorship to discovering I was already living my purpose: A journey of faith and surrender.
Looking back, I decided I wanted to become a world-renowned speaker. So, I did what I thought I needed to do—I positioned myself to seize opportunities, like a boat floating on water.
Truthfully, at the time, I saw myself traveling the world with everything sponsored because I had a message inside of me that I wanted to share—inbound and outbound. I knew my budget would not have allowed me to pursue such a vision, but the reality I faced was, “Why should we choose you as a woman speaker?”
At that moment, I was crushed.
Seeing others being offered life-changing opportunities that seemed out of reach certainly did not empower me. So, I asked myself, “What can I do to get myself closer to this journey?”
Well—what I eventually realized was that I was already on the journey and living it out every day.
I completed a trip to Korea—sponsored! I only paid for airfare, which was around $485 round trip.
We stayed in a luxury hotel, received three complimentary meals a day, had free transportation, enjoyed guided tours, and left with gifts of appreciation.
Letting go of my fears of traveling and becoming a part of the “Peace Starts With Me Choir” opened the door to these blessings—not only for me, but for the many members who traveled alongside me.
It was a life-changing experience as we traveled across the world singing “Every Praise Is To Our God.” The event was streamed live from the Korea Global World Stadium.
Looking back, I realize I had been preparing for this kind of success all along.
For more than 15 years, I have been singing songs of praise, and many people who have crossed my path have been touched in positive ways.
Speaking, for me, will come soon. It is another gift—one that will be used at its appointed time.
We all have ideas in our minds about how we want to succeed and how we want to achieve it. However, the picture is often much bigger than the moment we are standing in.
When you let go, it is my belief that you begin serving in purpose, on purpose.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose." — Romans 8:28
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