Sharon Hussey is a senior hairstylist who works in the Durham region. Sharon Hussey works for L’Oréal Professionnel Canada as one of their Artistic Portfolio Artists. She travels to teach master classes and present stage work for the current looks and trends for L’Oréal. She has been working as a stylist for a decade and comes from a wonderful family of 8 (4 brothers and 1 sister). Sharon along with her three younger brothers were adopted. This has changed her life and so much of who she is.

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8^th every year. It is an important day for women’s rights. On February 28, 1909, the Socialist Party of America organized a Women’s Day in New York City. In 1910 at the International Socialist Woman’s Conference, German delegates Paula Thiede, Kate Duncker, and Clara Zetkin suggested a ‘special Women’s Day’ be organized. In 1917, women gained suffrage in Russia and March 8 became a national holiday. Women’s Day was celebrated only in communist and socialist countries. In 1967, the feminist movement adopted it. In 1977, the United Nations began celebrating it.

Four Columns is all about inspiring and empowering women to live a balanced life. To celebrate Women’s Day, I am interviewing various women, from different backgrounds.

I love your exotic and beautiful hairstyle posts on Facebook. Sorry, I cannot be your client, but talk to me about different hairstyles, faces, looks, and what is in style right now?

The great thing about fashion and trends currently is that anything goes, there’s a lot of modern inspirations from previous decades which I can appreciate. I could spend the whole blog on this one question but I won’t and keep it short and straight to the point.

What makes you so special about being a stylist and why should my audience come to see you?

I have always cared about helping others. I want them to feel their best. As a hairstylist, I have the opportunity to spend time with my friends, family, and clients, getting to know them, who they are, who they want to be, and be a small part in making them feel they have their best foot forward. My job is so much more than hair. I build relationships, go through many life experiences, both exciting and amazing, and also horrible and tragic. I have lost clients to health problems, old age as well as see them get married, have babies, graduate from elementary school to finishing their masters. I think my heart for community and my passion for the beauty industry has put me in a unique position to have real conversations with no topics off-limits as well as an unbiased ear to listen when a client needs it as well celebrate when the celebration is a must.

I have seen you perform on stage and I like your funky styles. Help me understand some of the challenges you have faced in life and how did you overcome it?

Fashion and style have always been a fun way to express me. I like to keep my style interesting and current with what’s going on in the industry. My obsession as some may say has been a part of me as early as my memories go. Its hard to explain, but as a creative person both in art and music, I find that fashion is just the extent of that in my life.

My faith has always been a central part of who I am. I think that understanding where I came from and what God has for me has been the foundation of overcoming challenges and obstacles that come my way. I have amazing parents who have always tried their best to guide me and teach me what really matters and that I am stronger and capable of great things even when I don’t feel it.  I think it’s crucial to have mentors and wise people that are further along in this journey of life and so I have surrounded myself with those types of people in all areas of my life. We cannot do life alone, nor should we, so it’s important to know that and seek others that can help you navigate through all that life throws at you.

Time and time again I hear single women tell me the dating scene is horrible in the GTA. What can men and women do better?

I wish I had an answer to this. I don’t think there is a perfect answer that I know of, or at least short enough for this blog.  I just keep doing me and don’t stress or worry about being single. I love where I’m at and what I have accomplished. I refuse to miss out on life, longing for something or someone that isn’t. So that would be my advice, be content and ok in singleness, and don’t put life on hold until a relationship happens. It will happen when it happens.

Rapid Fire Questions

Favorite restaurant in Toronto: El Catrin (Mexican style) -Distillery District

Favorite Café: Jet Fuel – Cabbage Town which is in my neighborhood or Boxcar Social on the Toronto Harbour Front

Favorite Shopping Mall: Toronto Eaton Center is my go-to because its the closest to me but I also love a good outlet with lots of good sales.

What are you reading presently: I am not a huge reader, but started reading Michelle Obama’s book “Becoming”. She’s such a leader and her story is so incredible from where she started in Chicago to then becoming the first lady. She had so many obstacles but never let that stop her from pursuing her dreams and I find that so inspirational.

What are you listening to these days: I listen to a lot of podcasts. Most are about true crime, comedy, and personal growth, it all depends on what I’m feeling as I’m commuting to work. I have to say it has made commuting so much better and less frustrating.

Favorite Quote: I don’t have a favorite quote but my favorite poem is: Our Deepest Fear By Marianne Williamson

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness
That most frighten us.

We ask ourselves
Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

You’re playing small
Does not serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking
So that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine,
As children do.
We were born to make manifest
The glory of God is within us.

It’s not just in some of us;
It’s in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,
We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we’re liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.

Choose someone famous you would like to have a meal with: It’s actually a famous couple, Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell. I find them funny, smart, and fascinating.

You are on your feet a lot and are constantly working. How do you balance faith, finance, time with friends, and food?

Oh man, this is the golden question. To be honest, it’s a constant struggle and I’m still trying to figure it out. Some days I am great at it and some days I am horrible at it. I think the key is to recognize the importance and put a plan together to make sure that there is some balance. I have gone down to 4 days at the salon, so when I work my contract work with L’Oréal, I am working a 5-day week and not a 6-day week. I’m learning to say no and not yes to every commitment asked. I’m really paying attention to my limits. I try to see friends at least once a week and sometimes more and talk to family a few times a week, especially if I can’t see them. It’s really all a juggling act and I’m constantly trying to figure it out and keep it balanced.

The post Sharon Hussey: Swagger, Sympathy and Sensibility appeared first on Four Columns of a Balanced Life.

Paula Eriya migrated from Jamaica to Toronto as a young girl and spent her teenage years in New York City, where she was exposed to a wide canvas of fashion, culture, the arts, and beauty. Paula’s time in New York inspired her to make her own impact in the beauty industry, and she has since worked with fashion designers, musicians, and artists to encourage them through mentorship to cultivate their own style and expression in their respective fields.

A devoted mother of four, Paula has turned her time and talents toward giving back to her community. Her greatest passion is serving widows, single mothers, and young adults, and she has put together a team to assist single mothers to dress for success and confidently re-enter the workforce. As well, she has held events to showcase young entrepreneurs in fashion, music, and the arts. Paula and her family have had the life-changing opportunity to take part in the yearly Hope Worldwide of Canada events, which help raise funds to support many community organizations.

Paula is known for her impeccable taste, style, and progressive techniques, which impress her clients and foster a relationship of lasting trust.

Paula congrats on the success of the Beauty Lounge Salon and Spa. Walk me through your thought process about how you started the salon and spa?

Jerry, I have been in the business for over 28 years. I have this burning desire to help people look and feel their best. I had five salons before this one.  I wanted to merge my faith along with my services to my clients in the best way possible.  I decided to go back to school in 2012. Funny enough, I went to Tyndale for 4 years to get my undergrad in Religious Education. I found the structure of my study helped me in many ways to deal with my diverse clientele on a day-to-day basis.  Beauty Lounge Salon and Spa came about while I was in my final year in school. I wanted to get back in the business right away and the opportunity presented itself.

What were the initial challenges?

My initial challenge was start-up cash. I was in school for four years not working. Banks could not loan us any money as we had no collateral. God opened doors. I had a very kind investor and two friends who also invested as shareholders in the business. I got enough to purchase the business outright and a small amount for operations, we had to go through a few bad employees to find the right ones.

Did you take a course in business and hair styling or it is something you learned along the way?

I went to school to train in Salon business operations. I learned some practical skills along the way.  I have had a love for this business since I was 15 years old.

Talk to me about what it means for women to be empowered in the 21st century?

It is amazing to be among the empowered women in the 21st century. Today, women have a voice in politics, media, schools, and the corporate world altogether. We are entrepreneurs, leaders, lawyers, doctors and so much more. Women are making legislative laws and impacting society on a whole. I am grateful to live in a country that recognizes women for their contribution in the various sectors, and for the women’s movement that advocates for the needs of the sick, children, and the elderly. I think overall women’s role in the 21st century has advanced beyond what we hoped for and expected.

What are the hairstyles and trends for 2019?

For 2019, big hairstyles, big eyebrows, and loud colors are back like in the movie, Hairspray. Some people are into trends and fashion while others are into the more classic look. Multi-color, Balayage, and really whatever the customers like. Trend or no trend, people like what they like and I like to fit my client into the area and lifestyle they live in.

Why should my female audience come to your salon?

Your female clients should come to me because:

1. We are an environmentally friendly salon, we are Green Circled certified, which means that we recycle 90% of all waste in our salon.
2. We offer many services; our Salon and Spa are a one-stop-shop to meet all your beauty needs (from head to toe).
3. Our product is mostly Vegan, Organic, and Natural.
4. We offer 4 choices in our nail polishes, Vegan, Natural, Organic, and regular nail polish.
5. We offer skin tightening, skin resurfacing, Micro-Needling, in other words, nonevasive skin treatments.
6. Our hair colors are natural and ammonia-free, as well as some of our bleaches. Jerry, I can go on, but I would like for you to check it out for yourself.

My daughter is 17 and if I want to bring some of her friends for a hair, do is that possible?

Our environment is definitely teen-friendly. We have high school girls come in all the time with their friends, they love the atmosphere and the services because we are attentive to their every need.

What do you look for in staff when you hire?

Our staff must be driven, honest, peace-loving, and kind. They must have the drive and the desire to exceed the client’s expectations in any and all of our services. They must have excellent communication and customer service skills.

How are food, faith, family, and finance important to you?

Food is very important to me. My body is God’s temple.  I need to keep it clean and healthy. I try to eat what is best for my body.

My Faith is extremely important, in this fallen world. I believe faith is the only thing that is constant in my life.

My family is of great importance to me. They are a gift to me from God. A gift-worthy of respect and love and most of all gratitude. I live every day grateful for the blessing of my faith and my family.

Finance is crucial to our survival. This is of great importance to me, without it we cannot accomplish our goals, feed our family nor take care of ourselves. A balanced financial life is a bliss. I am working on becoming debt-free and financially secure as this is a necessity.

The post Paula Eriya: Entrepreneur using vegan products appeared first on Four Columns of a Balanced Life.