Category: Beauty Blog

Pink News! Spotlight: The Road to Becoming a Beautician, Kalleigh Sharp

I grew up knowing that I was supposed to get good grades, get into university, and get a great job. If not, my mother was not to let me hear the end of it. She always wanted me to be able to take care of myself, no matter what.

I got into the university of Guelph right from high school with my degree in Sociology. I knew my final year was crunch time so I worked three jobs while in school and volunteered in the community. The problem was, once I graduated, I owed over $40, 000 in student debt. Shouldn’t be a problem when you have a degree right? Well, at that time, you either needed more school after your degree, or you can start making $18 an hour to pay for your debt, rent, car, bills and living expenses. The government calculated that it should take 10 years to pay off a basic four-year degree. Ffs.

I was only 22 at the time and I worked as hard as I could to get my debt down- for years. I tried everything… I worked double jobs, as a server, community support and even tried hustling to pay for everything. I was spreading myself thin and was not enjoying my twenties at all. I lost my financial independence and found myself depressed, anxious and eventually wrapped up in a mess of domestic violence.

When I was going through the abuse, I felt like I was trash. When you’re told over and over that you’re stupid, worthless, or might as well kill yourself, it takes a toll on your self esteem. I was told that he liked blondes, so the second my dark roots started to show, I would get all my hair bleached. This pattern causes breakage and now I had short, damaged blonde hair. The only thing that sucks more than being broke is being broke and having bad hair. So, I got my hair extensions in, got my lashes done and my brows done, and I felt like I could handle anything. They say look good, feel good, right?

At 25 I finally hit my rock bottom. I knew that if something didn’t change, I was either going to become an alcoholic or dead. I wasn’t spending time with friends or family and the depression took over my life. I laid on my couch, staring at the wall, and told myself that it is going to have to change now. I turned to God and prayed an S.O.S. in fixing this mess.

I began socializing with my friends, family, and community again. I went to cognitive behavioural therapy and moved back home for a bit. I applied for entry level jobs and eventually got certified as a beautician for hair extensions, lashes and microblading. I knew how great I felt when I was glammed up and wanted to give that feeling to other women. At first it was difficult to build my client list, so I traveled all over for them. I didn’t have a car, so I took Ubers and public transit to get the job done. I was staying with my friend so I had to be considerate of when I book clients at my place. But at least when I did get a client, I was profiting $200 for a 3-hour appointment.  Sure enough, as time went by, I was able to build my clients, keep returning clients, make friends with other beauticians, work with their clients, and pay off all my debt.

I learned that when you don’t have financial freedom, it’s hard to really enjoy life to the fullest. It’s difficult to say “yes” to adventures and traveling when you’re trying to be financially responsible. I want to help other women get full time jobs without having to take on the debt. I really like working with a female dominated industry because I personally feel more comfortable around them. We created a full, 23 course training program for beauticians across Ontario. If you’re looking for a side hussle or full time job, try being a beautician. Working with new friends, getting free services, meeting new people and making money is just the tip of the iceberg. What’s holding you back from achieving your dream today? Apply now into the National Association of Estheticians by contacting us at [email protected] or give us a call at 289-968-2028.

If you are a victim of domestic violence and are looking for help please visit www.sheltersafe.ca/ontario. If you are a victim of domestic violence and are looking for financial security, contact Kalleigh at [email protected] to enroll in our free scholarship, back on track program.

The Back on Track Program – Goals, Glowing and Growing

Goals, Glowing and Growing is designed to give all sorts of tips and tricks on finances and goal setting! It is the FREE textbook for The Back on Track Program. Make your vision a reality today. Outline goals, plan and achieve, together. Work with the business owners directly! We are here to support all #girlbosses! Find out all about saving money, getting a car, license, home, education, self-esteem, volunteering and much more! Work with our entrepreneurs in this unique workshop program today. Feel free to borrow a copy of Goals, Glowing and Growing to see if the program is for you!

To enroll in the Back on Track Program, contact Kalleigh at The National Association of Estheticians. We look forward to meeting you!

We got the INSIDE SCOOP from Washington D.C., the U.S. capital. Check out our 6 burning questions with Legislative Analyst and Federal Lobbyist for UnidosUS, the largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., Bayly Hassell!

1. Hey Bayly, how has quarantine impacted your beauty routine?

Washington D.C. shut down mid-March and enforced strict stay at home orders shortly thereafter. What many of us believed would be just weeks of isolation soon became months with no end date in sight.

In any other year, this would be the peak of gala and events season; I would be booking hair appointments and dressing in formal wear to attend White House Correspondents Dinner parties, receptions on Capitol Hill, and political fundraisers. With an abundance of time to overthink and reminisce in the months of quarantine, I realized that much of my beauty routine has typically been dictated and informed by in-person interactions; work functions, evenings out with friends, and the highly publicized and professionally photographed events that generally take place this time of year.

My beauty routine in the so-called “new normal” has been more for myself and a notably less time-consuming endeavor. After a month or so into the lockdown, when most of us realized we would be staying at home for the near future, my routine became more self-care oriented. I’ve mostly been sampling new face and skin products, trying different face masks, taking long baths, and experimenting with makeup techniques.

2. John Bolton just released his book on Donald Trump. Do you think is claims about the president are factual? What are your thoughts on his book?

Having read portions of “The Room Where it Happened” along with interviews from credible journalists and news outlets, I do believe Bolton’s claims are factual. Exposés of the dysfunctional inner workings of the Trump Administration have become relatively routine and garner interest and plenty of profit for the book business and ousted Trump staff alike. Similarly, and unsurprisingly, Bolton’s book reiterates many of the shocking stories that have already circulated and reinforces the prevailing narrative of disorder, dangerous decision making, and general rashness and immaturity that have defined the Trump administration.

While most of the book is devoted to Bolton’s highly detailed accounts of exchanges, incidents, and critical political moments, Bolton’s book is mostly, in my opinion, a monument to his own grandiosity and self-importance. While his latest book has confirmed rumors and verified what many have suspected, I doubt it will sway Trump’s most fervent followers. It may however (and hopefully), dissuade moderate Republicans from supporting Trump’s re-election this November.

3. BLM movement is nationwide. What events took place in Washington for Juneteenth?

A number of organizations hosted marches and numerous informal demonstrations took place throughout D.C. I marched in the Black Lives Matter Plaza in front of the White House and a number of friends attended events at the U.S. Capitol. Two of our professional basketball teams, The Mystics and Wizards, also led a highly publicized march.

4. Who will you endorse for the 2020 election and why?

Joe Biden all the way! My top picks for Vice President are Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Kamala Harris. America cannot afford another four years of this administration and I think my country, along with the rest of the world, is eager to see credible and effective leadership in the White House again.

5. How are protests and/or riots affecting your everyday life?

I live in downtown D.C. in the historic U Street Corridor. The White House is just several blocks south and, as you may have seen, this area has been the epicenter and focal point of most of the demonstrations. Every single day for the past several weeks there has been protests and demonstrations, some violent, but mostly peaceful and unifying. The newly christened Black Lives Matter Plaza, directly in front of the White House, continues to be occupied by activists, signs, flags, banners, and tables where volunteers distribute free food and drinks along with masks and sanitizers; the mere act of walking through my neighborhood has been an entirely different experience.

I am also close to a police station and Malcolm X Park, which has been a gathering place for activists. The National Guard and police have been on every corner, often – and alarmingly – heavily armed. Having lived downtown for 6 years, I have grown accustomed to seeing and hearing Presidential motorcades as well as Marine One, the President’s helicopter. A number of additional helicopters have been routinely monitoring the area, sometimes hovering disturbingly low. The heightened police presence has been unnerving to say the least and utterly dystopian, like something from an Orwell or Atwood novel. 

As a civil rights lobbyist, I have participated in many peaceful protests and work with numerous progressive organizations that support and advance the BLM movement; so, activism and advocating for equality was already a constant in my day to day life. Over the past few weeks, it has been heartening and inspiring to see thousands of more people from all walks of life gathering to march, engage in meaningful dialogue, dance in the streets, and come together in this critical moment for our nation.

6. Melania, Ivanka and Kayleigh always look great. Who leads the political office in fashion trends?

Speaker of the House and the most powerful woman in America, Nancy Pelosi!  The photo on the left of me and Madam Speaker was taken at a Democratic fundraiser for Members of Congress.   Nancy Pelosi even makes face masks look chic! I have worked and collaborated her and her staff on countless issues, both in my time working in Congress and now as a federal obbyist and political advisor of my organization’s Political Action Committee (PAC).

Thank you, boss babe Bayly for the 411 on the historic shift happening in the United States of America! That is our top story at Pink NEWS!