Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Hopson.
Hi Amber, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Compton, California in a single-parent household. I was heavily influenced by the hip-hop scene in the late 80s and became a rapper. In the mid 90’s, I was in an all female rap group called Da 5footaz which signed to Warren G’s production company called G-funk. I had the opportunity to tour all around the world and record songs for movie soundtracks.
We also recorded a finished album. While our project was on hiatus, I had to apply for welfare in order to take care of my two-year-old son.
The struggle was real but I ended up working at a hair salon braiding hair still waiting for our album to come out.
My transition from being a rap star to becoming a hairstylist was truly humbling because I was used to not paying for clothes, not paying to get in clubs having VIP service, getting my make up and hair done by professionals, in turn, getting behind the chair catering to others.
Needless to say, our album never came out but I developed another passion which was doing hair.
Eventually, I went to cosmetology school to pursue a trade in the hair industry…
I put my heart and soul into it as if my life depended on it.
Who would have known years later I would own a hair salon suite and then expand to brick and mortar on Ventura Blvd. I was able to provide employment for single-parent women like myself to thrive in the hair industry and take care of their families.
My writing skills from rapping Got me into self-publishing five books on Amazon.
I also developed my own hair care line that is sold in my salon and online.
I was able to buy a house and have my dream car, and Mercedez Benz all firm doing hair and practicing good business…
Now I developed online courses for salon professionals to develop their skills in business called Build-A-Boss.
Alright, 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?
Being a young single mother was definitely hard to navigate from being a rap star to being a civilian. Like I said in my bio, I had to get on welfare but I used the opportunity to go to cosmetology school to change the trajectory of my life. I have been homeless during my career but you wouldn’t have known because I always went to work with a smile on my face and I knew it was only temporary. I learned how to fix my credit and manage my money to where I would never be homeless again. The long hours and sleepless nights I put behind the chair was all worth it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At HAIR ESCAPADES beauty salon we pride ourselves in Empowering our clients by uplifting their self-esteem with excellent Hair Care and fabulous hairstyles. Our motto is “Let us take you From Drab to Fab”.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Having tenacity and Being a problem solver are my most valuable traits because you have to have balls of steel to manage employees and deal with customer issues. Speaking of customers, I pride myself on having excellent customer service and having a teachable spirit. I never thought that I knew it all. I’m like a sponge, I’ll soak up knowledge and continue to learn as if I am a student.
Contact Info:
- Email: Info@hairescapades.com
- Website: www.hairescapades.com
- Instagram: @hairescapades
- Facebook: Hairescapades
- Youtube: YouTube.com/hairescapades
- Yelp: Hair Escapades
- Other: Buildaboss.my Kajabi.com
