Today we’d like to introduce you to Za Winton.
Za, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
As far back as I can remember, I use to play in my friend’s hair. I know for sure I was in kindergarten when I got in trouble for using all of my mom’s apricot body gel to slick down my neighbor, Ramona’s edges… Then I started charging twenty dollars for a press and curl when I was just thirteen. Even my cousins from Bakersfield would come into town and beat down the door to get styled. As I look back, now, I can’t believe how far I’ve come. I enrolled into a cosmetology program while still attending University high school. Not because I thought I’d end up being a hairstylist, but instead knew I could get h.s. credits, while not being on campus.
When I was just seventeen, my godfather, Augie Johnson (Side Effect), introduced me to one of his friends who had a celebrity salon on La Cienega and Pico. Those were the days… I learned so much while assisting there and subsequently landed on a tour doing the infamous braids and beads for a rap group named Bone Thugs and Harmony. Over the next decade or so, I had the great opportunity of either assisting and/or styling a number of amazing entertainers, like Vanessa Bell Calloway, Jackee’ Harry, Kiki Shepherd and countless others. It was during that time, being on film/music sets, I discovered my keen eye for details as well as a new rush I felt if I ever caught something out of place and the cast/crew gave me kudos for it.
In more recent years, I kind of accidentally fell into the role of a fashion stylist when my long term client and close friend, Ryck Jane, decided to become a performing artist. I feel like we have an amazing team and I’ll rock with them forever, if possible. I have become Creative Director for most of her videos, photos and shows and as a team, we are definitely rocking it. I literally cannot wait to see how far up we go. Especially when we get the big budgets! Lol My life overall has been a complete whirlwind, filled with drama, trauma and setbacks. But in hindsight, my gifts and talents, above all else have been the constant grounding that has kept me thus far. At this point, my loved ones jest about how many “jobs” I have. I am a true hustler to the core and won’t stop until my dreams are fulfilled and my legacy is laced with something super shiny.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
For me, the road has been tumultuous. I have had countless blows that I’m sure would’ve sent others to an early grave. I could really write a book about it and soon I will… I was molested at age two, raped several times since, mentally and physically abused and the fact that mental illness runs so rampant in my family, it’s unbelievable that I have my sanity today. So many of my family members have been violently killed. My mother has attempted suicide. Her father succeeded. Her mother did too, actually, by starving herself to death. My father and his twin brother were left abandoned, often by their underage mother. He told me stories of how when she left them in a vacant apartments closet for days and they learned to tightly squeeze their eyes shut in order to “see light”. I guess there’s no place left, but up!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Goddess Complex story. Tell us more about the business.
I recently revamped and am in the process of developing my business into a”One Stop Shop”. A mobile event concierge company that comes to your front door. We will handle all things, for all types of events/ productions. Including, but not limited to hair, makeup, fashion/custom designs, photography, coordinating, catering logistics and more. I am also on board with a few celebrity stylists who are embarking on a nonprofit that will provide custom cranial prostheses wig units for those who suffer from chronic hair loss due to medical issues. Oh yea, then there’s all the little things I do that’s not so much for the money, like custom tees/apparel, meal prepping, herbal tonics and teas, hair and skin products… I think what sets me apart from everyone else is the fact that one job title could never stick with someone like me. I’m a hustler baby! … and I stay fly while doing it all
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Good luck has played its role in my life in the form of the universe aligning me with some really special people along the way. Some of those people have served a minor role in connecting the dots to major key players. Bad luck has played its role in my life to keep me in the moment, to remain mindful of my journey and learn from each encounter. My worth has been fine tuned. That blazing fire has spewed me out as fine polished gold. In life and business, I’m learning how not to be afraid of fame and instead fall into it gracefully.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.goddesscomplex1.com
- Phone: (424)341-0037
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Instagram/goddessmplex1
- Facebook: Facebook/goddesscomplex1
Image Credit:
Poppin Pixels, hbshotit, Marlon, Za Winton
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