"In 2022, I had a deeply impactful moment with the wonderful Mel Robins. I got to hear her speak on lowing your stress by high fiving your heart. And saying “I’m ok, I am safe, I am loved” When I first did the technique in the audience it sent me into anxiety city!! But then when I spoke with her one on one she said you’re doing it wrong! You have to press in on the middle of your chest hard and say it. There is science here trust me. Well I finally did it and managed to calm my anxiety. It was a beautiful opportunity to learn why I reacted so strongly to those words.

I am ok.
I’m ok, I’m ok? My whole childhood I was different. Big hair, tan skin, weird religion. I didn’t fit in. I got picked on in many areas of my life. I never truly felt comfortable in my skin. I wanted so desperately to blend in, to be like everyone else so I wouldn’t get noticed. But darned if my hair was too big and frizzy to do that!! I got comments constantly. Even the good ones somehow stung. When I was really little mom thought the mullet with pouffy bangs was the way to go. I got a little older and she took me to her white hairdresser, who attempted to “manage my curl” by perming it. Then off to the black hairdresser for pressing oiling and slicking it down. I was either fake curled or an oil slick. Oh then the worse offender.. me! I wanted straight hair, of course. I’d blow it out, no products, hot heat, steam flat iron. Oh I had straight hair but it was a pouffy frizzy mess. Finally i went to cosmetology. Thinking, this is it! My hair dreams will come true! Turns out my type of hair is wildly under represented. But I learned about hair structure, moisture, proteins and through lots of trial and error I figured out my hair and I felt empowered! I don’t mind being noticed. Armed with knowledge and skill now I help empower other women to embrace and enhance their natural curl. What a privilege. I am happy to go to work everyday. I am honored to teach the next generation of hair stylists not be scared to work with curls. I continue to educate myself an others. I am happy to be seen in the world with my big curly hair. I finally learned, what made me different IS what made me feel beautiful!
I Am Ok.

I am safe.
I did not grow up in a safe environment. I was sexually abused, my life was threatened on several occasions, and I felt like I had to protect my mom from beatings. I walked on egg shells. Constantly having to shift myself, scared that the way I spoke or acted might get me noticed. We lived with and alcoholic ocd psychopath from the time I was 5 until I was 16. But, with lots of battle wounds and scars we made it through. Like many others, this childhood left me with this base line of insecurity. For example, I felt for a long time I couldn’t be my true self. Like if I did I would get in trouble. I felt like my needs and viewpoints aren’t important. Finally, I came to terms with the fact that what had happened to me wasn’t my fault and I was just a kid and it wasn’t my responsibility to protect anyone. I was safe to be who I am. Whew! Wait… enter imposter syndrome! Is who I want to portray to the world really me? Do I like that person? Will other people like that person?? With the help of my amazing husband and friends who really are my family, I have learned that it is Safe to be the authentic me. I’m a little crazy, I’m fun, I love to dance, I need quiet time, I’m a little introverted, I like to be in comfy clothes, I can be blunt, I am me and that is ok. I have a beautiful life.
I Am Safe.

I am loved.
I think this is the hardest one to convince ourselves of. But it’s true. When I look back at my life I was always loved. Even when I didn’t see it or wasn’t ready to accept it. Now, with practice, I see and receive love everyday. Whether it comes from my husband, my friends, my God, or that curly girl in my chair that has found herself, I feel the love.

I know that I’m ok because I’m not alone in my tragedies. Others have had an experience like me and are ok.
I am loved and protected the way I deserve to be. I am strong enough to empower women like me to embrace and enhance their natural beauty.

The truth is I am ok I am safe and I am loved." - Elena

her story

"In 2022, I had a deeply impactful moment with the wonderful Mel Robins. I got to hear her speak on lowing your stress by high fiving your heart. And saying “I’m ok, I am safe, I am loved” When I first did the technique in the audience it sent me into anxiety city!! But then when I spoke with her one on one she said you’re doing it wrong! You have to press in on the middle of your chest hard and say it. There is science here trust me. Well I finally did it and managed to calm my anxiety. It was a beautiful opportunity to learn why I reacted so strongly to those words.

I am ok.
I’m ok, I’m ok? My whole childhood I was different. Big hair, tan skin, weird religion. I didn’t fit in. I got picked on in many areas of my life. I never truly felt comfortable in my skin. I wanted so desperately to blend in, to be like everyone else so I wouldn’t get noticed. But darned if my hair was too big and frizzy to do that!! I got comments constantly. Even the good ones somehow stung. When I was really little mom thought the mullet with pouffy bangs was the way to go. I got a little older and she took me to her white hairdresser, who attempted to “manage my curl” by perming it. Then off to the black hairdresser for pressing oiling and slicking it down. I was either fake curled or an oil slick. Oh then the worse offender.. me! I wanted straight hair, of course. I’d blow it out, no products, hot heat, steam flat iron. Oh I had straight hair but it was a pouffy frizzy mess. Finally i went to cosmetology. Thinking, this is it! My hair dreams will come true! Turns out my type of hair is wildly under represented. But I learned about hair structure, moisture, proteins and through lots of trial and error I figured out my hair and I felt empowered! I don’t mind being noticed. Armed with knowledge and skill now I help empower other women to embrace and enhance their natural curl. What a privilege. I am happy to go to work everyday. I am honored to teach the next generation of hair stylists not be scared to work with curls. I continue to educate myself an others. I am happy to be seen in the world with my big curly hair. I finally learned, what made me different IS what made me feel beautiful!
I Am Ok.

I am safe.
I did not grow up in a safe environment. I was sexually abused, my life was threatened on several occasions, and I felt like I had to protect my mom from beatings. I walked on egg shells. Constantly having to shift myself, scared that the way I spoke or acted might get me noticed. We lived with and alcoholic ocd psychopath from the time I was 5 until I was 16. But, with lots of battle wounds and scars we made it through. Like many others, this childhood left me with this base line of insecurity. For example, I felt for a long time I couldn’t be my true self. Like if I did I would get in trouble. I felt like my needs and viewpoints aren’t important. Finally, I came to terms with the fact that what had happened to me wasn’t my fault and I was just a kid and it wasn’t my responsibility to protect anyone. I was safe to be who I am. Whew! Wait… enter imposter syndrome! Is who I want to portray to the world really me? Do I like that person? Will other people like that person?? With the help of my amazing husband and friends who really are my family, I have learned that it is Safe to be the authentic me. I’m a little crazy, I’m fun, I love to dance, I need quiet time, I’m a little introverted, I like to be in comfy clothes, I can be blunt, I am me and that is ok. I have a beautiful life.
I Am Safe.

I am loved.
I think this is the hardest one to convince ourselves of. But it’s true. When I look back at my life I was always loved. Even when I didn’t see it or wasn’t ready to accept it. Now, with practice, I see and receive love everyday. Whether it comes from my husband, my friends, my God, or that curly girl in my chair that has found herself, I feel the love.

I know that I’m ok because I’m not alone in my tragedies. Others have had an experience like me and are ok.
I am loved and protected the way I deserve to be. I am strong enough to empower women like me to embrace and enhance their natural beauty.

The truth is I am ok I am safe and I am loved." - Elena

her story