Meet Bridgette Washington: Master Cosmetologist/ African American Haircare Specialist

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

Hi Bridgette, why did you pursue a creative career?
I don’t think that artists necessarily have to pursue their careers. Their gifts make room for them. There is a lot of work involved but because it’s something you love, it doesn’t feel so much like work or a career. It just feels like you’re living. You do it so much because you love it and before you know it, you have done it so much that you have become great at it! I read somewhere that you should do what you love so that you don’t ever have to work a day in your life. It has held true for me for almost thirty years. I was ten years old when I began honing my gift. I had no clue that that was even what I was doing because it was second nature for me. 

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
At the present time, I run a home based state board approved salon and have started my very own haircare line. A series of unfortunate events forced me to create better situations or make better decisions. I was a single mother of 3 by the age of 22 . This is what made me turn what I loved into business. It was no longer play time so I had to get serious about what I loved doing in order to provide for who I loved. In 2010, I lost 3 very close family members. May I lost my grandmother, June I lost my brother, July I lost my mother. I was 29. That was a lot. I still had to work but I needed to create an environment that I could grieve in and still provide my clients with the best service. In order to do that, I opened my own salon in November 2010 which happened to fall on my birthday month and by default I gave myself a salon for my 30th bday. I named it after my loved ones that I lost that year. None of it was easy. However, I learned to grow through it and the key was to keep going. The reward was always right on the other side of adversity. So if I wanted to continue to grow, I had to learn to embrace those challenges. My brand was pretty much my way of resurrecting the loved ones that I lost.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Uhm… I’m such a lame home body! Lol is this before COVID or what?! Lol Either way, most of the week would be tasty meals prepared and cooked at home. We would play fun games and watch movies! I like shopping and supporting black owned businesses so we would check out a few of those if possible❣️

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh my! Entirely too many to name but I’ll try. Tarita, Alfred, Arvella, Pat and Rudy, Don, Tresha, Denise, Khrista, Portia Houston, Colleen.., all of these stylists did my hair and/or allowed me to do theirs, let me work in their salon, taught me or contributed in some way and were some of Huntsville’s finest not to mention. This is my short list! There isn’t room for all that inspired and played a part. I can never forget all my kitchen guinea pigs that took chances on me. S/o to my children that gave me the super powers to go hard and other family members that contributed in any way big or small. Most definitely my clients and customers that have and still do support me. Last but certainly not least none other than God!

Website: SalonAADR.com AdriAnnieDavRose.com
Instagram: @salon_aadr_dot_com @adriannie.davrose
Twitter: Salonaadr
Facebook: AdriAnnie DavRose
Youtube: Bridgette Washington

Image Credits
Charles Beason