Today, my heart is overflowing.
My son—my little mini me—is turning 7.
And as I write this, I’m reflecting on how motherhood has shaped every single part of who I am… especially as a beauty professional, entrepreneur, and educator.
Being a working mom in this industry isn’t for the faint of heart. There have been early mornings and late nights. Client calls during playtime. Zoom meetings while trying to juggle snacks and storytime. There have been moments where I questioned whether I was giving enough—to him, to my business, to myself.
But here’s what I’ve learned in these seven years:
Motherhood didn’t slow me down—it made me focus.
When I became a mom, my “why” evolved. I no longer worked just to build a brand—I worked to build a legacy. I wanted him to see that dreams are worth chasing, even when it’s hard. I wanted him to know that his mama was resilient, creative, and determined to carve out a life that allowed us to thrive—not just survive.
He’s watched me teach students, launch new products, serve clients, and still make it to every birthday, school event, and movie night. And sure, I’ve missed a few things here and there—but he’s always seen my love. My effort. My intention.
And truthfully? He’s my biggest motivation.
He reminds me to be present. To laugh more. To put the phone down. To enjoy the little moments that matter most.
So today, we celebrate him.
The little boy who made me “Mom.”
The reason I push harder.
The reason I’ve learned to balance brushes and bedtime stories.
The reason I show up every day determined to leave a legacy.
Happy 7th Birthday, Alijah. Mommy loves you more than words can ever say.
Here’s to more laughter, learning, and love. And yes—cake. Lots and lots of cake.
To every beauty pro who’s also a mama:
You’re doing an incredible job. You may not always feel like you’re getting it right, but your love is showing in ways you can’t even imagine. Keep going. Your babies are watching.
XOXO 😘