FINAL DAYS & THE EXPECTATION
This is it. The final rendezvous here at the Long Island Barber Institute. I am graduating ladies and gentlemen. This has been a journey of endurance, self-awareness, appreciation, and amazing opportunities. The time has come for me to make my final cuts, take my last exams, and finally prepare for the NYS state exam. I am ready for this. As I receive text messages from patrons requesting my services as a student, I know that I am ready to move into the Barber & Tonsorial Industry with full force. I am not just a Barber, excuse me...Barbette, behind the chair. I am a Barber that will cut anywhere and everywhere. I will continue my mobile styling and personal services. I will make a name for myself at my new Barbershop home. And, I will not let anything get in my way from being great at what God has made my passion. 8 Days to countdown, but many more until I consider myself a Master Barber! At this stage, I am mastering becoming a barber and I will be one step ahead as of November 1, 2016. I moved to New York on April 1, 2016 and I will be a Long Island Barber Institute graduate on November 1, 2016. Maybe the #1 means more to me than I even understand right now. What do you think? :)
STATE EXAM & STATE OF GRACE
There is no greater pressure in the world like taking the NYS State Exam. Fortunately, the Long Island Barber Institute has a 100% licensure rate. I am at the Best Barber Institute in the state of New York, no doubt about it. I am constantly practicing to ensure when that day comes I am ready. Clipper cutting, Shear cutting, 14 stroke face shave, shampoo service, and a facial massage all must be demonstrated to prove that I have been properly trained and prepared to be a Master Barber. I have had the pleasure to get a few sneak peaks of students walking into the building to take their state exam, and I feel the intense pressure and concentration. I understand their mood. I will be there soon. I am confident that I am ready and know that soon enough NYS will think that I am capable to be a Master Barber as well. This would not have been possible without the grace of God and the angels he put in place to make this happen. So I will name all my angels and those that made this opportunity a reality for me. Some of these people gave me some harsh words and saw me hit a very low point in my life. They saw me change and take a leap of faith to live my dreams. Thank you to all that made this possible.
Here we go:
- Rev. Nathaniel & Regina Obey- My Wonderful, Wise, & Loving Parents
- Nichole & Ervin Williams, Troy & Shonda Whitehurst- My Siblings & their supportive spouses
- Mr. Christopher Felder & Mrs. Cynthia Felder- My mentors & gracious hosts
- Mrs. Simone Hikmat- My phenomenal life coach & networking mentor
- Ms. Kimetta Hairston- My amazing professional & relationship mentor
- Mr. Kwame Kuadey- My stern, focused business coach & mentor
- Ms. Dionna Smoot- my sister, friend, & confidant
- Ms. Briana McNeill- my sister, friend, & therapist
- Ms. Tia Higgins- my sister, friend, & strategist
- My Uncle Glenn Davis & Uncle Darryl Davis- my supportive Uncles that shared their business experiences
- Mr. Jimmie Stuckey- The man that made me change my thinking about life, love, & my dreams
- Mr. Diaz, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Fentress, Mr. Canales, Ms. D, Mr. Alize, Mr. Miguel, Mr. Mas, & Mr. Jean and all the instructors at LIBI
- To all my MD clients- my supportive patrons that have been so patient through this journey
I thank you all for making sacrifices and pushing me to turn my passion into my career. I owe you all a lot. I don't know how to start to even repay some of you. I must give the most gracious thank you to Simone Hikmat and Cynthia Felder. You ladies cared about me and loved me in a way that only God could make possible. Thank you so much for connecting and setting me on my path to greatness!
GOING TO NEW HEIGHTS...THE REAL BARBER SHOP
So what am I doing after graduation, you asked? I am going straight into the barbershop. I am ready to test my skills. Although, I have some doubters, my confidence is pushing through all the negativity. A woman in a barbershop? You may think this is odd, but I have been doing this now for 7 months. Although, this is an academic institution and not a barbershop, I have gained the professionalism and charisma to make it in any environment. This is my opportunity and I will be great at what I do. I am excited to have NaturalCurlJunkie.com mobile styling services to now include barbering and tonsorial services. The next phase of NaturalCurlJunkie.com is on the horizon. NaturalCurlJunkie.com will be now offering all natural hair services for both men and women as well as facial and scalp massages, & hair and scalp treatments. This is an amazing moment for NCJ and again we can not thank our supporters enough.
