Today we’d like to introduce you to Fadua Drummond.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Originally from Brazil, I have been living in the United States since 1999. At the age of 27, you can imagine that starting a new life in a new country can have its challenges. Just like anyone else who chooses to move from their country of origin, you encounter difficulties along the way such as a language barrier, fear of acceptance, and acculturation challenges. After working for a couple of years in different fields, I realized that I was not putting in my full potential. I knew had to find something that interested me and make a career of it. I was a 30-year-old woman with no time to spare. With only a Brazilian degree and some business work experience, it became a necessity for me to put a new meaning to my professional life. One day, it dawned on me while sitting in my hair stylist’s chair admiring the way she worked and handled her business. It inspired and amazed me. So, I decided at that moment, I would make the change. I knew I had a great ability to work with my hands and as a child, I had many craft lessons with my mother and aunt. As a teenager, I loved blow drying and styling my sister’s, cousin’s, and friends’ hair before going out. I knew with my skills, learning the right techniques, and putting in enough effort I had a great chance to succeed. So, in the fall of 2004, I enrolled in a full-time cosmetology program at Blain’s Cosmetology School (currently Empire Cosmetology School), graduated, and got my state board license in about nine months.
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?
It wasn’t as easy at it sounds. I had my unique challenges at school. The language barrier hit me so hard and I had to do the whole cosmetology course with a dictionary side-by-side with that big hair book from which I had to study. I had to put much more time and effort to learn the vocabulary.
Fitting in was another big challenge since at the point, I was a 30-year-old woman and the majority of the students were teenagers full of energy and dreams.
Many times, I felt like a fish out of water, doubting myself or even being skeptical of my chances of surviving in that new competitive world.
I have always been very blessed to have a great family support. I got divorced when my daughter was only one year old. Hence, I had to count on a lot of help from the ones surrounding me to be able to balance career and motherhood. I was fortunate enough to meet my fiancée along the way who have been incredibly supportive and caring as well.
In the early years of my career, it was essential for me to put a lot of effort into learning new techniques, growing my own potential, being persistent and not giving up on challenges that certainly came often. I focused entirely on my own work and growth. And I still do!
My advice to, not just young women, but to any woman in need to rewrite their own journey, is to:
– Believe in yourself! No one else can do that for you!
– Never give up.
– Persistence is key because nothing happens overnight.
– Focus and concentrate your time and energy on learning your craft and being productive. Do not worry about others criticism, but always learn from them.
– Stay and think positive. Value what is good in your life and take what’s not so good as a lesson. You will learn a life lesson almost every day. There will always be someone or something to drag you down. Keep the dark clouds away from you. If you spend your time on the negative, you will not see great opportunities arrive and there is always a solution to every problem.
– Respect yourself and others!
– Plan, set your own goal. Be competitive with yourself.
– Blame yourself before blaming others. Most of the time we cause our own problems.
– Give back. Don’t be afraid to share your knowledge. Use every opportunity you have to help and inspire others.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Arte Salon and SPA – what should we know?
I did various training and was very fortunate to work with incredibly talented professionals and met wonderful people along my way. Today, I am a successful hair stylist and have built great relationships with my clients.
Fours years ago, I had the great opportunity in conjunction with one of the wonderful people I have met, to start Arte Salon and Spa. It has been an exciting and challenging journey. We opened our doors in Wayland, MA with a hand full of employees and now we are a team of 27 professionals. No matter what you do in our company we are career oriented and our focus is to grow professionals in all areas of our business. Our company put immense effort into continuing education and has its own education program to train new hair stylists fresh from cosmetology school. It is satisfying to see the people we have groomed to succeed. We are involved with our community, giving back and building relationships. That’s actually our motto, “We build relationships.” We have been awarded best of 2017 in our category. The atmosphere of our salon and spa is relaxed and comfortable. Our clients always comment on how comfortable they feel when they come to visit us.
Currently, I work 3 days in the chair helping my clients to enhance their natural beauty. I make these three days my own little party with great conversations topped with beautiful modern looks. I am so driven by what I do.
As an entrepreneur, I am searching for the next level of my journey which is to learn how to make it better, to become a great leader. Educating myself to improve my coaching skills, inspiring and empowering others is my goal.
Entrepreneurship is not an easy endeavor. Your mind runs 100 miles per hour while thinking of all that needs to be done and accomplished. It definitely takes time to learn how to balance life and work and I am not there yet… I am blessed to be surrounded by such an amazing team of people.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
I think networking with other professionals in general, could lead to finding a good career coach or mentor, you just need to know what kind of guidance you are looking for.
Educating myself through business seminars, courses, and coaching as well as networking with other companies and professionals in my area have worked exceptionally well for me.
Knowledge is a powerful tool and is a crucial part of becoming a confident and successful professional in any industry.
Contact Info:
- Address: 16 Boston Post Road, Wayland, MA 01778
- Website: www.artesalonandspa.com
- Phone: 508-358-7282
- Email: concierge@salonarteboston.com
- Instagram: @artesalonandspa
- Facebook: @artesalonandspa
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