It’s taken a few ups and several downs before I was able to summon the guts to pursue the career in beauty that has always been calling me. Now that I am finally here, there is not a doubt in my mind that I have made the right choice.
My uncle sparked my interest in cosmetology. I was five-years-old when he moved in with my family from North Dakota to begin teaching at the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis. I remember sneaking into his room to play with manikin heads, which of course lead to Barbie haircuts, countless ruined sticks of my mother’s Mary Kay lipstick, and new, dark carpet in the living room – an attempt to try and cover up inevitable, future nail-polish spills.
The passion flourished while I worked in salons and spas throughout high school and college. I loved my part time jobs behind the front desk, and everyone around me knew it. My friends would call me at work just to hear “reception Libby” — my happy-go-lucky work-alter-ego. Something about being in the salon, helping transform individuals from ordinary to glowing with confidence, inspired me.
Unfortunately, I was pressured by family and what I felt were societal expectations to pursue a corporate career. Therefore, I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in journalism and advertising. For the past five years I’ve struggled to find fulfillment and happiness in the ad-agency world. I hid my unhappiness in eating disorders, drugs and alcohol. After a couple hospitalizations, and a lot of therapy and self reflection, I recently found the courage to leave my familiar, well paying job to pursue a career that is in line with my dreams, talents and allows me to make others happy. Turns out that by making others happy, I am making myself happy.
I am ecstatic about my new journey and the opportunity to make a difference first-hand in the lives of others. Not only does making personal connections come easily to me, I thrive when working with and around people. Adding on my passion for fashion and beauty, I’m confident that I will excel in cosmetology. I consider trips to the salon mandatory therapy for the mind, body and soul – looking beautiful on the outside helps inner beauty, confidence and happiness flourish. I look forward to giving others the confidence to follow their dreams, as I follow mine.
