Her Story
About Steph
I've been in this field for 23 years. My parents went through a horrible divorce and I had gotten scholarships but my mother wouldn't sign FAFSA forms. My grandfather called and made a deal for me to move back to Owensboro, Kentucky where he would pay off my car and get me into school to do hair. I packed up and moved from O'Fallon, Illinois and enrolled in school. I started in cosmetology school then transferred to barbering after laws changed. I've been a barber for 9 years and got my instructor's license to run a barber program at the American College of Barbering which opens in August.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Steph
01What do you attribute your success to?
Honestly, I would say God. I'm an outreach pastor as well, and so giving back to the community has always been something that I'm extremely passionate for. And I feel like the more you give to your community, the more your community will support you. From behind the chair, you have an opportunity to change people's lives because one good haircut can give someone the self-esteem that they need.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The first gentleman that I ever worked for in a barbershop told me one day, whatever's in your heart, don't stop until you get it. Just to always remember to stay true to myself and to remember who I do it for, and that was my children. To always remember I'm trying to pave a way for them and for their friends and for our community.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell them to go for it. Absolutely. I tell them if you're gonna do anything, you give 110%. If you want to have a life to where you can be you, you can be a woman, you can be a mother, you can have balance in your life, work-life balance. If you want to be able to provide something for your family and for yourself that you've never been able to do, then this is it.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Being a woman in a male-dominated, male-driven profession has been extremely hard. You had to prove yourself time after time. You have to prove your worth, your skill set. It takes time and being able to handle the negative talk, the male hazing. Everything to prove that you belong in that room has been difficult, but it's been rewarding.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
For me, I think that we have to keep God first. You have to make sure that you keep yourself humble. Operate with integrity. If you can't operate with integrity and honest and truth, then I can't do any form of business with you. I think that God, honesty, truth, integrity, your family, and then your career. If you keep the chain of command in the right order and you don't lose focus, everything will work out.
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