Meet Latoya Wilson | Pastor| Mentor| Cosmetologist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Latoya Wilson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Latoya, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
The most important lesson that my career has taught me was to trust in God. There were highs and there were lows but my Faith in Christ is what kept me going. Many people thrive in high times but lose their mind when they experience lows and can’t bounce back or recover, but the secret to success through those time is found in Christ. He has given me strength and wisdom to navigate through the those times. So, yea the biggest lesson is holding fast to my Faith in Christ.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a full time stylist of 22 years and I own my own Salon suite, Be-Bougee Hair Boutique. I have my own hair line called BeBougeeHair, where I sell wigs and extensions. I have serviced thousands of people of all ethnicity and backgrounds. Crazy thing is I wanted to go in the Air Force when I graduated high school but God had a different path for me. Cosmetology school was a back up plan that I didn’t think I would pursue. When the Air Force didn’t work out I went to beauty school and was really good naturally, in so much, that my professors saw the potential and took extra time to really pour their wisdom into me. I loved transforming women and men through the art of hair styling. But like any career there were challenges, I started having children so, there were breaks within my career and in those times I felt like I didn’t want to do it any longer. But I remember being in church and getting prophecy about being a salon owner and how my business would allow me to impact many lives. Sometimes the way we think these things will unfold is not the way it happens. They say hairstylists and barbers are Therapist, and I am a witness to that truth. There were times women would be weeping and pouring their hearts out to me, I mean complete strangers, but through Gods wisdom I would encourage and pour into them and they would leave lifted and empowered. Theres nothing more fulfilling than transforming lives from the inside out. Fast forward I become a Pastor and many of the people whom I serviced and counseled just as a stylist on the job through conversations, are now members of my church. My business has been the gateway to my ministry. This is what sets my career apart, it’s about more than making money, it’s about total transformations. When you can talk someone off the ledge or talk someone out of ending it all or encouraging someone who’s life is falling apart , and you are the one through Christ to help change their life, is worth it. One lesson I’ve learned along this journey is, when you think you have been dealt a bad hand, when you encounter someone who’s situation is so much worst than yours , it humbles you to realize you don’t have it bad and to just be grateful with your life because that someone would love to trade places with you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The favorite spot in the city would be my house. We love to have a good time. The best thing about it is it’s a safe place and you gonna have some good food, music and lots of laughs. But, If I had to choose a restaurant , I would take them to one of my favorite spots Juicy seafood! I love seafood, I guess it’s because I live on the coast near the ocean and that’s what we eat all the time here.Then, we would go to the beach and enjoy the water and swim. For shopping we would hit up the outlet mall for some good deals. Then to end it all we would worship at my Church, because there’s no good time without including God.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to thank my number one supporter Dave Wilson (my husband )for always supporting and having my back. He’s been by cornerstone holding me up through challenges. My mentors Dr. Kishma George and Ronisha Williams for pushing me and seeing potential in me that I hadn’t discovered.

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Image Credits
BeBougeeHair
Be-Boucher Hair Boutique Llc