Feature #97: Vashonda King, Hair Care Specialist

Name: Vashonda King

Current Job Position Title: Hair Care Specialist

Company Name: Too Groovy Salon

Contact Information:
missvashondaking_03@yahoo.com, www.toogroovy.net, Instagram: @vkinghairstyles, www.facebook.com/vashondaking

Special skills: I specialize in natural hair care maintenance, educating women on the proper way to take care of their natural hair, and cutting.

Describe your job story:

After receiving a Dual Degree in Business Management and Marketing from Albany State University in 2007, I enrolled in cosmetology school at Empire Beauty School in Atlanta. Upon completion in 2008, I applied as a styling/shampoo assistant at N'Seya Salon. After 3 months of working there, the salon unexpectedly closed down due to reasons beyond the owner's control. I then applied and interviewed with the manager at Too Groovy Salon, but did not receive the position. In the meantime, I partnered as a freelance assistant for hairstylists that used to work for N'Seya Salon.

Eager to start building my own clientele, I moved on to work at a different salon where I was hired as an assistant and hairstylist. After only working there for a week, I was terminated because the owners felt like I was too timid around the clients. At this point I became discouraged about doing hair and decided to pursue a career in the field I received my degree. Desperate and in need of a job, a friend of mine helped me to attain employment with an Allstate independent insurance agent in 2009. After working for 9 months, the agent decided that I wasn’t fit for the role in insurance sales and terminated me.

So I decided to try and pursue a career in cosmetology once again. The same friend that helped me to get the insurance position had a friend that knew one of the owners of Too Groovy Salon. She owned a second salon called Sutera Hair Spa, where she was seeking hairstylists. I worked there for a year and a half before it closed down. The stylists that were working at Sutera Hair Spa at the time were allowed to begin working at Too Groovy Salon. Now, 2 years later I am currently one of the top producing stylists at Too Groovy Salon.

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager?  

As a child/teenager, I always had a passion for doing hair, and knew that I wanted to become one of the top hairstylists in the world. I had other career interests as well such accounting, astronomy, pediatrics, and dentistry. But my ultimate vision for my life led me to be where I am now.  

Are doing your dream job?

Currently I am doing part of my dream job. Ultimately, I would like to style hair in the film/movie industry, travel to educate other hairstylists, open my own chain of salons and hair schools, and create my own product line.

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST?

The thing I like most about my job is that I come in contact with a lot of different women whom I get to beautify on a regular basis. It brings satisfaction to me knowing that I am able make others feel good inside by transforming their outer appearance. I am also privileged in knowing that someone else trusts my professional opinion when it comes to caring for something that is important to them.  Not only am I a hair care specialist, but I am somewhat of a confidant, therapist and friend. I don’t consider what I do a job because it’s something that I would do for free.  The thing I like least about my job is that I sometimes miss out on activities with family and friends over the weekends because I have to work. 

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

In 5 years, I see myself traveling and doing hair in the film/movie industry.

Are you happy with where you are in life?

I am happy where I am in life.

What more do you want to do with your life?

I want to do missions work oversees and open a non-profit organization that will help homeless people beyond what is being done now. I would also like to become a philanthropist for charitable organizations.

What drives/motivates you?
My motivation and drive comes from knowing that through Christ I can go wherever I can go in life as long as I keep him first. In keeping Him first, I pray, read the bible, and attend church regularly. By feeding my spirit with the goodness of the Lord Jesus, it keeps me from conforming to the patterns of this world, and motivates me to keep striving for better. 

What else do you do?

Other than doing hair, I paint as a hobby.

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?

To those who are seeking employment and have no hope, I would say keep God first in your life and don’t give up. Matthew6:33 tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  We all have our season.  I used to think that my season would never come in life. But I now understand that the struggles that we face are only God’s way of preparing us for the position he wants us to have in life. We plan our course, but he orders our steps. He knows what is best for us even when we think we have it all together. 

What is for you is for you, and no one can take that away. Have faith and the rest will follow. And just remember that tomorrow, today will become yesterday, and you will be able to look back and give your testimony and story as I have. Lastly, create a vision board of what you want to accomplish in life and place it on your wall where you can see it daily. This will keep things in perspective so that you won’t get side tracked with your vision for your life.