Today we’d like to introduce you to LaShaunta Collier.
LaShaunta, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am originally from Toledo, Ohio and I found my way to Jacksonville, Texas, after separating from the United States Air Force in 2011. I attended the University of Texas for a year in a half then decided to go back to Ohio to receive my Cosmetology license in 2011. Once I received my license, I returned back to Texas that next year. I moved to Houston with the intentions of beginning my hairstyling career and it has been a journey!
As we all know, “Nothing worth having comes easy!” I started doing hair around 2005 when I graduated high school. My best friend actually taught me how to do a “roller wrap,” and I was hooked! I found a passion for beauty I never knew I had. I wanted to be a Dermatologist growing up but becoming a Cosmetologist gave me the opportunity to be a “Beauty Doctor” plus more. As a cosmetologist, we get the opportunity to add joy to the hearts of people daily. Making women feel and look beautiful is the most rewarding thing about my career!
How did I get to where I am today? I received my cosmetology license in 2013, but that was my second time attending cosmetology school. I attended hair school in Ohio one year after graduating high school in 2006. At the time, hair school was not eligible for financial aid, so I was required to pay out of pocket or get private loans. To make a long story short, even though I had two jobs, I was unable to afford Cosmetology school. Between 2006 and now I have held several management positions for large corporations, I am a USAF disabled veteran, I am a certified Hair Loss Practitioner certified by the AMCA, and I am the Owner of The SunshineFX/LC Beauty.
Getting to where I am today has taken me being a student, an assistant, having patience, crying tears of joy and pain, and many sleepless nights. I would not change any of what I have endured during this journey. Every time I tripped, fell, and hurt myself, there was a lesson attached to the scar received.
I also would not have made it far without my support system. MY TEAM IS AMAZING! They have all stayed up nights listening to my ideas, knocking out any self-doubt that I may have had and given me the nudge I needed to help me continue to work toward my dream!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! Any successful person you meet will tell you their road to success has not been easy. My journey is no different. I have had to make sacrifices, dig deep, and put my blinders on while continuing to push forward.
Starting a business and building a brand is not easy. You must be willing to take the necessary risks to reach your ultimate goal. This year and last year are the years I have learned a lot of my toughest lessons. I know and understand it’s important to stay focused on the end goal, then, everything else will follow. Even though the road to where I am today has not been easy, I would not have chosen any other route.
Tell us about your business/company. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
I am the owner and founder of The SunshineFX. SunshineFX is a company focused on uplifting, encouraging, and empowering women through beauty services. I am a natural hairstylist specializing in healthy hair growth. My clients come to me because they know I am going to nurture and love on their hair, allowing us to reach a hair growth goal. I consistently talk hair health during services with my clients. As a certified Hair Loss Practitioner, my clients always walk away learning HOW to keep their hair growing healthy. Strong and healthy hair is always the #1 goal.
I cater to all hair types and perform styling, coloring, cutting, and extension services. Any service we choose is always done with the health of your hair as a top priority. My hair was damaged right as I began hair school due to a stylist’s lack of knowledge of proper hair health. At that point, I vowed to give every client I interact with a pleasant experience & ensure they have the education and know the importance of maintaining healthy and strong hair.
I am most proud of my growth. I was given lemons and I made lemonade. When I lost my hair at the crown of my head, I was devastated and I wanted to make a change. I decided to create a product that will combat the very issue that I struggled with.
I created my amazing hair growth oil, “Sunshine Oil,” with a goal to help prevent anyone from feeling the sadness I felt dealing with hair loss. Creating my growth oil has taken time, research and several trials and errors to ensure we had the perfect blend to be used by all clients. I’m proud to say. Sunshine oil will soon be available for purchase via my website or by reaching out via private message on any of my social media accounts.
My passion is what sets me apart from others. My passion drives me to ensure I teach my clients how to have and maintain a healthy relationship with their hair. My desire to help, my energy, and attention to detail is what sets me apart. My clients are my top priority and the reason why I strive to give them the best of everything!
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Compassion, Empathy, and the ability to relate has been most important to my success at this point.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thesunshinefx.com
- Email: thesunshinefx@gmail.com
- Instagram: @lashaunta_c
- Facebook: @LCBeauT
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