Meet Carmen Simon | Master cosmetologist, mentor, writer, motivational speaker & mental health advocate

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

Hi Carmen, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
The problem is, 9 times out of 10 you already know the answer. As humans we have this thing called our “instincts” that automatically signal us to keep moving forwards or retract all together. Not everything that feels good is bad and not everything that feels bad is out to attack you. Discernment, discipline and obedience is one of the best traits us as people can have, once we master the need to no longer control and actually surrender to the journey, we will find out that our way was never going to get us as far as our faith did!

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.
I currently have a career in the beauty industry as a Master cosmetologist. I graduated from Paul Mitchell March of 2024 and by September 2024 I passed both state boards and joined my now salon home called “Royal bliss hair studio” located in Alpharetta Ga. Wè specialize in natural hair care, silk press, weaves, extensions, you name it! Saying getting there was easy would be one of the biggest lies I’ve ever told! It was actually a living hell, but why would you STOP in hell? Wouldn’t you want to find a way out? The beginning of cosmetology school was okay, and then the middle was when I realized it was just school all over again. It came with a bunch of slack, I moved away from home to live with my boyfriend at the time, whom actually played a big role in my accomplishment of completing cosmetology school. I was away from family trying to make ends meet, show up for myself and be a good girlfriend all while feeling like the cycle would never end. Cosmetology school itself is a whole different story. It’s not just hair, it’s not just a breeze, it’s 1500 hours If not more of the same repetitive things, with multiple different nitpicking, favoritism and doubt. But walking down those halls for the last time, staying focused, over achieving and remembering WHY you decided to come here in the first place makes the living hell all worth it! If you can complete 1500 hours of cosmetology school, you can literally become anything! If there’s anything I leave with you all, it’s to go after your dreams scared, broke, hungry, angry, no support, no idea where to start, nervous, doubtful, Confused, with survivors guilt and all the rest of the feelings that may pop up and try to stop you when you’re chasing your dreams! Take them
On face forward, all gas no breaks, because CONSISTENCY is the answer and giving up is worst type of failure than actually trying and just simply not achieving the first time. “You don’t make mistakes, you make discoveries”

– Paul Mitchell.

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?
I’m currently in the Atlanta area, have been for years. A few spots I like to go is the battery, crumbl cookie of course, movies like Ipic, Zari lounge in Sandy springs, ponce city, Rreal tacos, mustache, even the local library lol!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to shout out the PROBEAUTYASSOCIATION, for giving the next generation of beauty influencers, recognition, an opportunity, motivation, knowledge, keys to success and an overall life changing experience! If you are a beauty pro and are not aware of the PBA, let that change TODAY! Earlier this year of 2024, I’ve been so blessed to become a beacon ALUMI, which is a program for “Elite beauty students” hand picked to fly to a different state! We were able to connect with all the top beauty pros in the industry, attend the National NAHA hair awards, make new connections/memories, tap into our true talent and potential and in conclusion see the beauty industry for what it actually is instead of just little trends on TikTok and instagram. I got to be apart/ watch the magic unfold that start/create the trends that we do eventually see on TikTok and instagram! It was three days of overcoming, becoming and executing and I DID not come home the same person I was before I left! Thank you Geno and everyone else who prioritize and continues to feed back into the generations to come!

Website: https://www.instagram.com/nefertitiglow_/profilecard/?igsh=MXBydnNyYmxxZzZjaQ==

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nefertitiglow_/profilecard/?igsh=MXBydnNyYmxxZzZjaQ==

Image Credits
Candy Shaw
Geno
Hanzo
Ann bray
Micheal
And so many other amazing features in the beauty industry and of course,
Myself!