Her Story
About Vera
Vera Collins serves as Market Manager for Salon Lofts in Atlanta, Georgia, a role she has held since July 2024. With more than 15 years in the beauty industry, she began her professional journey at the Aveda Institute Atlanta, graduating in 2013 as a licensed cosmetologist and later becoming a master cosmetologist. Collins previously worked as an outside sales representative for IT Cosmetics, training teams at Ulta, managed salons, built a successful clientele with a 94 percent retention rate, and held a regional sales manager position with Hattori Hanzo where she traveled nationally teaching hair cutting and participating in hair shows. She is also a certified postpartum and infant care doula and attributes her success to her mother's example of perseverance, mentors including Daniel Carter and Rebecca Mariolis, and a commitment to honesty, showing up, and pursuing opportunities. Collins has earned President's Club honors in 2020, 2021, and 2022, ranks among the top 5 market leaders for revenue to plan, and was runner-up for Most Valuable Coworker. She supports pregnancy resource centers and Keep Georgia Beautiful while emphasizing values of honesty and integrity in helping beauty professionals build sustainable businesses through coaching and business development.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Vera
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success comes from my mom's example of never giving up, great mentors like Daniel Carter and Rebecca Mariolis, being honest, showing up, and saying yes to every opportunity even after hearing no a hundred times.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Put your mask on first - you can't help anyone unless your oxygen mask is on. Take care of yourself before helping others, both at home and at work.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Ask for the yes. Don't be afraid to ask for what you want. Tap your resources, ask for introductions and the sale, and don't be discouraged by hearing no a hundred times. Keep showing up.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is that beauty professionals are undervalued and underinsured with no safety net. The biggest opportunity is financial literacy and teaching professionals how to protect themselves and build wealth.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty and integrity are core. I connect with people to fill needs rather than sell, and I want to help professionals choose what's best for them without selling just to close a deal.
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