Meet SHAWANNA ANDERSON | Master License Cosmetologist, Desairologist & Full time Mortuary Science Student

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

Hi SHAWANNA, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
The most important factor behind the success of my brand is G.O.D. Without God, there wouldn’t be me to have the success/ brand that He has blessed me with. Growing up within a Christian Seventh-Day Adventist household was and still is important. My grandmother taught me a lot and without her being the main teacher or guidance in my life, I wouldn’t know God for myself the way I do right now. If she didn’t embody Who God is and how He lived, I wouldn’t have chosen this path that I’m currently on. Even though my Mom and oldest sister was the niche for me to do hair and loving the beauty industry, my grandmother, Gladys Anderson, was the one who gave me the, “yes, you can”, when I dropped out of college after the third year to pursue my dream- becoming a licenced Cosmetologist. I thought heading for this specific purpose would be insurmountable. Once I got my Cosmetology License in 09’, I started to do more weddings, photo shoots, music videos, films/movies, working with celebrities and so much more. I even had my own salon for a few years in Brooklyn, NY. However, I always thought about finishing what I started when it came to college, so I shut down my salon and headed to work part time and get into school full time.
When COVID came around, I moved upstate NY to be closer to my immediate family. By this time, I was trying to get back into school from 2015 and nothing seemed to work. Once everything shut down, I prayed & fasted and asked God what can be done to get into school for Mortuary Science. Years ago when my grandmother passed on Christmas in 2010, she was the first deceased I serviced and I knew from then what my next calling would be- alicensed Funeral Director & Embalmer. God’s reply from my prayer was to go back to the college I started with (Columbia Union College) and finish. While on set in 2021 as the hair and wardrobe stylist for the movie, “Hope Lives”, I got back into, once upon a time CUC, now, Washington Adventist University, and finished that summer with my 1st degree, AAS in Psychology and that’s when God opened the next door for me to start my 2nd degree in Mortuary Science. The passion I have for serving others is an understatement! By 2021, I was already traveling across the U.S doing hair, makeup and wardrobe styling for the living & dead and assisting in Funeral services. I love what I do and every time God shows me my next move, I take it with pride.
I’ve been talked about, ridiculed, and even bashed by family members and close friends because of what I had to change in my life. However, I’m not embarrassed about anything I went through and will go through. I never run away from what scares/worries me. I always face it head on. “What may be “tea” for others, is a TESTimony for me. If people are going to talk about what broke me, they need to invite me to the table so I can tell them what God did with His pieces.” With all the blessings God bestowed upon me, I am quick to share and pour into others. “Even in the midst of the problem, there’s a PROMISE.”
At times, looking back at certain situations proves that God is real and with Him I CAN do ALL things through Him Who will ALWAYS strengthen me. Meekness is NOT weakness. God has provided humbling experiences where it showed me that I can’t do it all by myself and at times it has to be just me and Him. I’ve lost friends and even family members because I had to cut off the NOUNS (people, places and things) in order for God to move me where I needed to be. I know what it feels like to have $0 in your bank account. I know what it feels like to have to sleep in your car, be homeless and still get to school, not eat for a few days in a row, keep a smile on your face and help those around you and you can’t get the help you need. I also know what it feels like if God isn’t listening, but He’s right beside me waiting for the right time and place to bless me. That’s why when it comes to me having faith in God, He will always be the first and last person I run to when it comes to the highs and lows in my life. So, I will forever have God as the most important factor behind AND in front of my success/brand, Shair Elegance.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

What sets me apart from others is all the passion, zeal, sacrifice and zest I put into doing and sharing my creativity. I think out of the box. I always ask myself, “ What can be done to add to this industry and this community?” I’m never scared to work through a challenge. Within this journey, it hasn’t always been easy. Even though I’m still on the hunt, I am still happy about all that I’ve accomplished and I can look back and say, “But God”. Overall, I am extremely proud of myself. Even though at times I overthink, I can say I’ve come a long way and if certain people were in my shoes, they would have given up a long time ago. Every time I wanted to do what’s best for me, starting with school, I’ve gotten kicked out the house, mocked, cut off, and even used. However, that made me cry and breakdown thinking the worst. But by the time that phase subsided, once again I turned to God, said a prayer, had my close ones say a prayer for and with me and took it head on. Having this resilience and authenticity will always grow looking towards my goals- finishing school and opening my Funeral Boutique. Also, I have already learned so much from doing:

Weddings
Photoshoots (Different Kinds)
Music Videos
Charity Events
Movies/ Short Films
Funeral Services
Sweet 16s
Charity/Volunteer Events (Career Day) and so much more! I will never give up an opportunity where I can learn/give back.

I told God, if it doesn’t allow me to share my testimony, brag about Who You He is, or grow, don’t give it to me. Yes, I want to level up within everything that I do (hair, makeup, & wardrobe styling for the living and the dead) but I also want to do what I was made to do, which is to share the gospel. My ultimate goal is to get to Heaven and while working on that, I gotta help others around me. That’s what we were placed on earth for. I will always have space to learn more and to share more. Learning that life will never be 100% easy, you have to take it at your own pace and with the amount God has given you. The Bible says that He won’t give us more than we can bear, which is absolutely true. So when the hard times hit, He should ALWAYS be the First One to run to, not just the last. This journey also taught me that the more you focus on what’s needed for you first and set boundaries, all of a sudden a lot will change- the people around you, your family, even your own close friends. However, it’s been said, people are here for a reason, season or for a lifetime. I ask God for a better spirit of discernment. I’m a people-person and I don’t mind networking and sharing open knowledge. But I don’t want to be around the wrong people and if I’m the wrong person around others, lovingly decline! Life is too short to just waste time and energy. And yes, we will all make mistakes no matter the age.
Growing up I didn’t have a mentor. I’ve always wanted one and the two times I tried to get one, the first one who was a male tried to sleep with me and I cut that off with a quickness! The second one was a female, and she didn’t want to teach me anything! Come to find out, I was told she felt some type of way about me and coming around intimidated her. That was never my intent. However, you take that mistake as a lesson and grow from it. Another lesson I’ve always learned is to forgive, and when you remember the situation/person, forgive again. Just like how God forgives us of ALL our sins, we have to forgive those who have wronged us, especially if it was intentionally. It can always be hard, but once it’s done, you will live a stress-free spirit. For a long time, I have always encouraged and helped those who asked for it or I just offered. Where I am within my career has allowed me to network and communicate with so many people across the world and I love it. I will never belittle myself like the others. I will always have the confidence knowing that God IS real and what He says, goes. “God’s timing is the BEST timing.” Period.

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?
If my Bestie was visiting me and I wanted to show them the best time ever, I wouldn’t know where to take them, lol. I’m still getting acquainted with the area because I recently moved here AND I love to cook! So the first thing Bestie would experience is my home cooked meals! Then, the areas we would go to would be the first time for both of us and that would be something cool. I’m a daredevil and I love to be spontaneous. So I’d be down for whatever! I would definitely hit up my “Foodie” people to get their opinions on where to go for bomb food! Then I’d hit up my “Action” people to see where they had great times so I can experience that with Bestie. So everything would be a list I got from others who knows ATL way better than me : )

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to first give credit to God for blessing me with my grandmother who gave me the first yes to pursue my dreams, even though I got kicked out the house by my mom after that. However, my Mom got over her assuage emotions and came to my graduation. Next, I’d like to thank my Mom and oldest sister who always kept their poised looks. That up-bringing influenced me to know what I wanted since I was 6 years old. I would also like to thank everyone who trusted me to service them as their personal Hair Stylist/ MUA or used them as my guinea pig, lol. I had to practice on someone! I’d also love to dedicate this S/O to all close friends, family and the people who have supported me in many ways- genuinely loving me, sharing & liking my posts, telling others about my work, introducing me to network with others, making space in their homes for me, feeding me, and praying for & with me. Your gratitude will never go unnoticed. I also want to thank those who checked me with love. We can’t always be right in every situation. So for me to grow and mature, thank you for the common courtesy that was shared even though it may have hurt my feelings, I needed that. I thank you all for the love, encouragement and gratitude that has covered me throughout these years. I pray that it will continue, in Jesus’ Name, AMEN!

Instagram: @sha_the_stylist

Other: Email address: OneShaTheStylist@gmail.com

Image Credits
@Alttr_Photpgraphy
@Mosescrusphoto
@double00photo
@Viscosiphoto
@Justmyperspective
@MandalinePhotography