Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzette Washington.
Hi Suzette, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story began over 36 years ago. As a senior in high school, I wasn’t certain about the college route after visiting several college campuses. I then turned to my guidance counselor who gave me an application to apply for a partial scholarship to cosmetology school. He then said that he did not understand why a school would send him the application, after all my high school offered cosmetology. Maxine Sessoms from the Baltimore Studio of Hair Design contacted me about being one of 2 recipients selected for the partial scholarship.
My favorite time in school was theory class with Mr. Herman Jackson. The information, procedures, protocols, and guidelines intrigued me. For without theory, there is no practical. The practical portion made so much sense once the theory was retained. Upon graduation, I worked briefly at a salon called Curl World. This salon taught me how to master the infamous Wave Noveau Curl System in record time. As of today, I still service a few Wave Noveau clients. From there, I went on to pursue employment with The Hair Cuttery in downtown Baltimore.
At the Hair Cuttery, I learned business operations, salon management, and customer service. During my 5 years tenure, my business acumen was developed. After much consideration I decided to take a huge risk and try a booth rent salon versus a commission salon. I am so grateful that my clients followed me into that new venture. Booth rent came with more responsibility and I soon learned that taking risks always requires more of you. Just when I thought I had settled into booth rent, I was informed that the salon would soon be closing.
Although that salon was only a few blocks away from The Hair Cuttery, it was in a much calmer neighborhood with other professional businesses and better parking for clients. During this time I did not own a car nor did I desire to own my own salon. I’ve never dreamed of owning a salon! God has ordered my steps along the way. Due to this sudden circumstance, I needed a miracle right away; quick, fast, and in a hurry! That’s exactly what happened. One day a few doors away, I noticed some guys emptying a small building. Again, it has never been my dream to own a salon.
It seemed like forever before contact information about the building was posted. I spent an entire weekend calling and leaving several messages. When I received a call back to discuss my sudden dilemma, I was then offered the opportunity to open my first salon. It was as if God was leading me towards entrepreneurship all along. After accepting the offer, I had a building, a lease, keys, and no salon equipment… and still no car either. The yellow pages became my best friend. It directed me to Bonomolo’s (used salon equipment). Things happened so quickly that they appeared seamless.
Starting out I was in the salon,The Hairport, alone until I convinced a friend to join me under an apprenticeship. That worked out really well. We were packed to capacity! This was back in the early 90s before hair weaves, braids and locs became popular. We were known for the duo who specialized in the health of the hair. We attended many hair shows, learning about all of the latest trends, equipment, products, and meeting all of the Hair Industry Celebrities: Joe L. Dudley, Sr., Floydd Kenyatta, Chuck Caple, Mikki Wright & Patric Bradley to name a few. It was also during these 5 years at the Hairport that I was able to purchase a car.
Unbeknownst to me, a larger salon building two doors away was becoming available. I had become very comfortable where I was although it was inevitable that it was time to expand a little more. The opportunity presented itself and without hesitation, I accepted the offer. At this time I was the owner of two salons, two doors apart, with two different names. Even now it all still does not add up!
The new larger 2 fl. salon (Precious Moments Haircare Salon) needed repairs badly while I continued to work in the smaller salon to keep the revenue flowing. During this time my apprentice had completed her requirements and obtained her license. She decided to spread her wings and open her own salon. So, again I was working alone in a new venture that was orchestrated by God.
Always remember that whatever God has brought you through in the past, he is well able to do it again. Believing and knowing that He was leading me, I decided to take a huge leap of faith… NEW SALON EQUIPMENT!! I went from a 3 station salon with used equipment to a 10 station salon with new equipment. Ever so often God would send a stylist, then another one, and another one. Back then there wasn’t any social media; just newspaper ads, word of mouth, or window signs.
So many amazing stylists came out of that salon. A few did apprenticeships and many of them are successful salon owners today.
Here we grow again… This time the growth phase was different. God was instructing me to close the salon and I didn’t understand at first. Simultaneously I felt the urge to attend school to obtain my RMP certification. One scripture kept coming to me:
‘’Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it abides alone, but if it dies it produces much fruit.’’
After finally closing the salon… It was in 2016, I was instructed to open ‘’ Reality Beauty & Wellness Consulting, LLC.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Any successful business has its twists and turns, uncertainties, and challenges. It was a smooth road for me until 2007/2008.
1) The economic downturn of 2007/2008 posed a challenge for me. By this time hair weaves, braids, and locs were dividing the clients. My area of expertise has always been and still is ‘Healthy Relaxed Hair’. To offset this, I would incorporate lessons I learned from The Hair Cuttery or trade shows. One strategy was to build tickets. Offer add-on services to the main service of a few clients per day to increase your bottom line. Encouraging existing clients to refer their family members or friends paid off as well. For any business, ‘’The Best Form of Advertisement is a Well-Pleased Client.’’
2) During this same timeframe, the traditional salon was impacted by the new salon model, ‘Salon Suites.’ This sudden shift would revolutionize the entire beauty industry: hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, and even beauty schools. Salon owners including myself experienced booth renters leaving the traditional salons to venture out into the world of suites. Some of my stylists ventured out and some remained.
Juggling these two events was a difficult space for me as an entrepreneur and leader. These were the times when what I was really made of became tested. What I truly believed in was tested to determine my level of commitment and resolve in the face of adversity. My business acumen, leadership skills, personal core beliefs, emotional, physical, and mental capacity were tested. I had enough strength remaining to grab hold of the reigns, steadying the business as I learned something new from both experiences.
• Trouble doesn’t last always
• When facing challenges ask yourself, what do I have in my hands that I can monetize? What skill or what time do I have to devote to improving myself?
• Remember where there is a will there is always a way!
• Maximize your potential for growth even in uncertain times. Become all that you can be!
**Remain focused on your purpose; for purpose will lead you out, over, and through.
3) The Pandemic of 2020 (COVID-19). Never before in history has the Beauty Industry experienced a shutdown. It happened so fast and the daily news reports kept everyone on edge. All of the calls from peers expecting me to have answers and inside information from our governing agencies was an unexpected weight. I experienced anxiety and did not know it was affecting me in such a way. Anxiety has probably become the most prevalent health concern as a result of the Pandemic. Even as I write I’m very careful not to give too much attention to this topic for it’s very stressful and causes others to conjure up unpleasant memories.
During this time I watched a lot of movies to take a break from the news. One, in particular, would help me to re-focus. Self-Made: A mini-series about the life of Madame C. J. Walker. Her story inspired me to ask myself, what can I do? What’s in my hands? I wasn’t led create hair products like her. However I knew I held a solution pertaining to the Pandemic. At times my anxiety caused me to not be able to sleep well. The daily events and perpetual bad news was wreaking havoc on my rest.
This is when I came across the idea of creating bath bombs. The process of creating the perfect bath bomb was tedious. At one time, I just left the idea alone for a few months. One day months later, I tried again and miraculously it worked so well. I now have the formula and skill it takes to create the perfect bath bombs which are 100% all-natural and vegan. As of now, I create two different scents, Strawberry/Lavender (relieves stress, calms anxiety, helps with headaches as well as proven to calm those with ADHD/ADD including kids)
Rosemary/Orange (relieves sore muscles, improves circulation, invigorating).
They are sold through my website and although it may say Out of Stock, I create small batches per request.
Grow through what you go through!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Reality Beauty & Wellness Consulting, LLC?
Reality allows me to utilize my talent, gifts, and business acumen. I am a multi-faceted creative entrepreneur, a senior cosmetologist, and a licensed RMP (MD State). I outsource my professional expertise, business skills, and services to individuals, businesses, and aspiring business owners in the Hair and Beauty Industry.
In 2019 I became a co-author in an anthology book project with International Speaker Dr. Cheryl Wood. The book’s title is Entrepreneurial Elevation. In January of 2022, I self-published a book called, ‘’ Systems Beat Genius’’…My Proven System for Healthy Relaxed Hair with or without color. This handbook is great for hairstylists, cosmetology students, cosmetology graduates(gift) and even salons owners as a salon resource tool.
• It will boost confidence while working with relaxed hair.
• Demystify the false information surrounding relaxed hair
•Retain clients as you become more knowledgeable
• Implement a system for salon owners
• Become more profitable
• Grow your existing clientele
I host an Annual Vision Board Party. This year’s event took place on March 20,2022. We were a little late this year yet individuals were anticipating a great time to dream, create, and take action towards their goals! The vision board party was a phenomenal success!
What sets me apart is that I remain in my own lane as I follow my calling and not the crowd. Brand wise I’m most proud of being a Multi-faceted brand: Beauty, Business, and Wellness.
My love for helping to educate, motivate and inspire others brings me great joy!
Contact Info:
- Email: realitybeautyandwellnes
s@gmail.com - Website: www.therealitybrand.
com - Instagram: @theerealitybrand
