Rising Stars: Meet Cecilia Knox

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cecilia Knox. 

Hi Cecilia, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Raised by a phenomenal single mother, she saw the natural talent and joy I had in styling hair for the neighborhood kids. My mom had me enrolled in a career center during high school, and I graduated with a diploma and a cosmetology license. I used my new skill set to pay my way through college. I was the girl who did everyone’s hair on campus. After earning a degree in business marketing and unsure of the economy around 2009, I decided to put the start of my cosmetology career on hold and work for a corporate corporation instead. After five years of being a store manager with no promotion in sight, and battling years of infertility, I made a brave leap of faith to quit my job and go after my first passion; helping women and children look and feel good about their hair. Two years into working full-time behind the chair, there was still a strong yearning to being a mother. Pregnancy did not come easy for my husband and I so we decided to join a foster agency in hopes to adopt. We meet so many different families and children during this time as foster parents to two beautiful children. We were a part of many foster groups and signed up for many outreaches and classes to better equip us as soon-to-be adoptive parents. Over time word spread that I was a professional cosmetologist. My clientele grew substantially. Many families needed my help and were extremely grateful for my hair care services. Appointments for children turned into two-day hair classes and mini-Seminars for foster agencies, churches, nonprofits, and Facebook groups. Without knowing it, I was truly tapping into a market that had a desperate need. Taboo as is may sound…the fact of the matter is, there is huge disproportion of black and brown little boys and girls in foster systems and adoption agencies than that of white children. The families who come to me have never styled or cared for textured hair. Over the last few years, I have created a safe place for individualized and customize hair care that includes, salon service, classes, coaching, tools & product list, and more. My foundation for this is called CROWN CLUB: teachable moments. My business is thriving and continues to grow. I absolutely love the position I’m in in the cosmetology industry. It’s deeper than hair. My business is strengthening family bonds, giving parents and kids something, they can cherish for a lifetime; self-care, self-awareness, and self-esteem in the name of HAIR! 

Currently, I’m celebrating 13 years marriage, a proud adoptive mom to our oldest son who just turned 6, by the grace of God, birth parents to soon-to-be 2-year-old twins, and almost 8 years as full-time entrepreneur and salon owner! My life and my business have collided into a beautiful story. I hope it inspire others to never give up! Your line, your niche, your purpose… WILL FIND YOU! 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not knowing where my career was taking me. Unsure of the market. Unsure of my future impact. 

Work/life balance 

Corporate job was stressful and had fear it was affecting my fertility. I had undiagnosed infertility so I was always emotional and insecure of my physical abilities as a women and wife. This affected me in many ways. 

As a new entrepreneur and starting at zero in a new city was nerve-wracking and required tons of focus and planning. Building a loyal clientele and finding your way in a “cutthroat” industry took pure determination and self-confidence. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a professional cosmetologist with 17 years of experience. I own a private salon business in Mason, Ohio. I service many women and families with naturally textured hair. My specialties are: scalp care, hair treatments, silk press, color, cuts, protective styling, natural styling, and kids. I’m among a small percentage of cosmetologist who will service young kids. I’ve help hair class and hair services for children as young as 4 months old. My little kids are a joy to serve. 

What matters most to you? Why?
Family. It’s the most important aspect of life for me. This year my word is BALANCE. Learning to prioritize myself, my household, and business ventures. 

Contact Info:

• Email: Artofcecilia@gmail.com
• Website: www.artofcecilia.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/artofcecilia_hairgallery

Image Credits
Jamal Foster