Care experienced & business minded

I’m quite excited for to share this post with you all. The first ever interview on Akira-Kay. I am all for the empowerment of young people that are really out here trying to make something of themselves.

There’s something quite unique & special about this particular interview your about to read. I wanted to shed a little light on success stories of young care experienced people that are trying/have made something of themselves, not only to motivate others but also to show those within authorities that if you equip a child with the right tools, who knows where it can take them.

Beckah Grove a 21 year old care experienced female from South London, a good friend, my personal hairstylist and owner of Allurebeauty Ldn. I am in awe of this young ladies talents and work ethic to secure the bag and for my 23rd of course Allurebeauty Ldn slayed me for my birthday celebrations in New York. We have decided to team up & give one of you lucky ladies the opportunity to win a wig of your choice made by yours truly. Good luck, the details are below.

Here is Beckah’s story.

Allurebeauty London 

What age did you go into care?

I’m not quite sure, I went into care whilst at secondary school.

How has being in care affected you as a person?

I feel like it opened me up to experiences that I wouldn’t have normally seen. A lot of people have stigmas around being in care like Tracy beaker but I feel like it has built my character. I feel like it’s had more of a positive affect than negative by making me more independent and motivating me to better my life and be better than what I’ve been surrounded by.

What inspires you?

The thought of being able to change my future and having the life I’ve dreamed of. There’s no point using the past as an excuse as to why I can’t be as successful as people that are brought up in a “conventional household” and of course proving people wrong.

Tell me about your business and what inspired you to start?

I run a hair and beauty buisness, I have always been interested in it from a young age and was always doing my friends hair at school. Once I realised I was good at it, I wanted to use my talent to make money on the side. I wanted to go to uni just to say I’ve been but then I realised I would have to eventually work full time for someone else at the end of my degree. So I took the risk and decided to start my own buisness.

What makes Allurebeauty London different ?

I feel like I care more about my clients, I like to build relationships. Ensuring that my client leave feeling happier and more confident. I like going that extra mile for them making it about more than just the hair.

Where do you see yourself and your business in 5 years?

Hopefully, with a salon. I want to build my clientele, booked and busy abroad and being able to work less because right now I’m in the building stages so need to be very hands on.

What would you say makes Allurebeauty ldn successful ?

Being consistent with my work is important. Building relationships can lead to referrals and so on. I make sure here at Allurebeauty Ldn it is an easy going relaxed atmosphere.

 

Do you ever experience obstacles or challenges, how do you overcome them?

Yesss anxiety!!!! I feel like it’s gets too overwhelming and because I work for myself, I am growing at a rate that’s hard to keep up with. Answering the phone and responding to people is a challenge, I don’t always have time to respond. Im still working on it, I try to have regular breaks and not over work myself too much.

Does being a Care experienced young person affect your work as business owner at all ?

Yh in some aspects because your constantly dealing with things from the past, managing your personal life and buisness. It is a juggle.

What does success mean to you ?

To me success means being able to live my dreams. Doing something that I love and enjoy. Work to live not living to work sort of thing.

What do you believe is the most important tool to equip a child with?

Life skills, they don’t teach you that at school. They teach you how to be smart but intelligence can get you so far. Being in care gave me life skills I wouldn’t of necessarily learnt at school like being independent and self motivated.

What advice would you give to those that choose to work in children services?

Make sure you want to do this area of work because you generally have to want to make a difference in children lives and have a passion for it because it’s one of the most difficult jobs but also one of the most rewarding.

If you could give 1 piece of advice to a care experienced young person what would it be? 

Don’t compare yourself to people around you, work on your own timing because you’ve obviously had to face things that people who aren’t in care haven’t. Your main focus should be you and not what any body else thinks or are doing. For example I felt pressured to go university at the same time as my age mates when really I wasn’t ready because I needed to sort out my headspace and consequently I was unable to finish my course. Also having a good friend for support is important as care leavers can often be left isolated.

Where can readers find you ?

Snapchat: Bittycommitteebee

Follow me on insta @allurebeautyldn

To book an appointment: https://allurebeautyldn.as.me/schedule.php

Competition Giveaway

1. Subscribe to this blog

2. Follow @akirakay_ & @allurebeautyldn on insta

3. Comment under the competition post & tag 3 friends

Winner announced Monday 25Th 10PM instalive @Akirakay

Lots of Love,

Akira Kay

Insta: AkiraKay_

Twitter: AkiraKay_

Sc: Itskiraah