Meet Madam Cassandra Brown | Cosmetologist, Barber, MUA, Cosmetologist Instructor, & Mentor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Madam Cassandra Brown and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Madam Cassandra, do you have a budget? How do you make lifestyle and spending decisions?
I have budgets for everything in my household, and for everything in my business. To be successful, one must break down every expense, once everything is disassembled you can then alleviate the miscellaneous spending.
My biggest issue was shopping for clothes for my household. I had to realize; my personal finances reflect my business finances. If I am overspending personally then I would do the same thing business wise as well. Also, if I were to spend more personally, I could put myself in a situation where I could not afford to restock. So therefore, I created a CLEAR understanding as to where all my money goes. My intention is to give my money a mission.

I try my best to not spend anything until Sunday. So, I do NO spend weeks, I only spend if it is necessary. If I can hold off another week then I will do just that. It is really a mind over matter ordeal. I just tell myself I am on a fast, I write the important things down and I seek GOD for strategy. I allow GOD to lead every endeavor, thought, penny, etc. I do nothing on my own.

Proverbs speaks of a wise woman building her home and a foolish woman tearing it down. I tell my children all the time the importance of being a good steward over their finances. It is more pertinent to pay my bills and have zero dollars than to spend what I want and beg for what I need.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
2 Timothy 2:21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

What sets me apart is I am always truly my authentic self; I honestly never waver. I pride myself in being consistent with everything I do. Whether it be taking my children to practice every day, performing at my absolute highest in the salon, or just being a great MOM/ friend.

I am where I am today because I kept going. I kept striving for my dreams despite others telling me I could not and that I needed to get a REAL job. Nothing is easy and nothing is given! Everything is a process and as a generation we must start trusting that process. Knowing that you are taking the proper steps with The Highest GOD, you will never fail.

I learned to stop leaning on my own understanding and to trust GOD fully with the details concerning my life. See when GOD is in control, nothing can go wrong. He leads and guides every footstep, and HE is the detour when I have one.

I would like the world to know this journey of life is not given to swift but only to those who can endure. Ecclesiastes 9:11 The race is not given to the swift or to the strong but to the one who endures to the end,

See, you must train for the life you want, because it is a MARATHON. The only goal is for GOD to get the glory.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Anyone who truly knows me, knows that I love Southern Kitchen downtown/uptown Birmingham, AL. Customer service and food is always on point. I am always highly satisfied!

The Grand Bohemian Hotel is a magnificent place to visit, and I assume an even better place to stay. I have never stayed at this location however, I was able to tour a portion of the hotel and I must say I was overly impressed,

The experience I had eating on the rooftop and taking pictures in the rain was beyond words. The furniture they have reminded of Willie Wonka & The Chocolate factory is absolutely an upper echelon type ordeal.

The hotel also had a museum with art and artifacts that were very intriguing to the eye and mind. They also had culinary classes and wine tastings that you could sign up for. That alone is a week worth of adventure!

Finally, The Perfect Note is the ultimate place to visit in Hoover, AL. It is always a definite vibe, from the food, live band, and drinks, The vibe is very grown/sexy so therefore you can relax, release, and relate.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are people that I would love to recognize! I would first like to thank my late mother Gwendolyn J. Brown for choosing me to be a part of her journey on this side of life. She reared me up to be the woman I am today. Raising children is a calling that all cannot manage but she did it with grace, sternness, and fortitude. She was a woman that wore many coats, and she wore them well. She was a very diligent worker, she gave her all to others, and she left nothing on the table. To this day I receive compliments about my mother’s smile, work ethic, and the things she did in the background for people. One thing she made sure of was that I was able to do everything on my own. She taught independence day in and day out. Her motto was, you should not have to depend on anybody but GOD!

Next up is my late grandmother Rebecca G. Jackson. She and my mother shared the same qualities, and that is why I clung to her, she kept me in line and made sure I stayed a lady at all costs throughout my life. She made me more grounded on the Homefront. She honed in more on my domesticated skill set, as a wife, a cook, and especially a cleaner. She gave me snippets of wisdom and knowledge.

The late Rev, Jimmy Jackson Sr. was my grandfather whom I loved dearly. I loved watching him because he was a mysterious man. You never knew exactly what he was going to pull out his hat. He rose every morning at 4 a.m. with a song in his heart. He was always humming something; never knew what song it was but now I catch myself doing the same thing because I know now what it means. He would always go outside with his shotgun and survey the land to make sure everything was intact. He was truly a protector of his family. I always used to sneak out to watch him to see exactly what he did. Every animal he had obeyed his command…this man amazes me even to this day. I remember when I was 11 years old, he taught me how to mow the lawn, and that skill set I still possess to this day.

The late Christopher G. Brown was my beloved brother. He was my anchor, my heart, my confidante. You could tell this man anything and never hear it again. I never heard him speak ill of anyone and he was very blunt and truthful about things. If something did not work for him, he let it be known in the meekest way possible. I do not know a person who did not love him. He pushed me to my greater good with his words. He told me to find my niche and stick to it! I am here to tell you all I found, and I am sticking to it! Chris was a very industrious worker, he loved his children, his family, and everyone around him. When I mention his name, it lights up a room.

Krystal A. Moore, is my “Sister.” We are not related to the traditional way, but to the blood that flows through all of us. (GOD) She is my divine “Sister” heaven sent I would like to think. She is the first person in my life that never folded on me, never mistreated me, never said an ill word towards me, and has loved me from a genuine place from the beginning. She lifted me up in my darkest moments, got me through depression, helped me see that there was a light at the end of the tunnel. She has mentored me and help me mature more as a virtuous woman. Krystal was the sister I always prayed for, and I am thankful, GOD thought enough of me to place her entire household in my life.

Last, but not least, Celeste Y. Brown & Camden T. Thompson are my children. They have motivated me to push, strive, go for the stars and beyond. Every day they show me unmerited favor, grace, and love just like GOD. They never judged me, nor gave up on me even when I quit on myself. I remember days I would just cry, and they would catch my tears and say, “Mama it’s going to be okay.” They were the lifters of my head when I was down, and in the moments when we had nothing, they made it seem like we were rich sitting on a mountain top. My children did not allow me to throw pitiful parties. They made me get up, get out, and get it! I owe it to them! I owe it to myself! Till this day they still call me RICH, and I receive it fully!

These seven people have been my foundation to building a greater “ME.” During their building me they built themselves up as well. Because I do not hold onto anything someone has given or taught me. I always give it to the next person who needs it! If my lineage lives, so will all these people.

Website: sanstyles.booksy.com

Instagram: Madam_cb

Facebook: Cassandra Brown