Members of the Iota Theta Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., have saluted several female entrepreneurs in the cosmetology profession during this 2024 Women’s History Month.
Through the lens of Tisha Simmons and Verta Looper, we have shared the stories of Berma Tims and Melissa Jones-Horton as they prepared their foundations for successful cosmetology businesses. We honored Madam C.J. Walker for her confidence, brilliance and persistence, which resulted in the making of a millionaire.
Are you inspired and ready to start your cosmetology or barbering business? When you love people and the business of beauty, you are paving your road to success.
Longtime stylist Rosa Vinson
We are elated to share the story of another longtime Lancaster stylist, Rosa Vinson.
“My sister did hair in the community and I watched her. She started with neighbors. So, I decided to take cosmetology classes at Barr Street High School. I graduated in 1964. I had a sweet teacher, Mrs. Dorothy Pressley, who influenced me. After graduation, I worked in several shops, renting a booth,” Vinson recalled.
A turning point for Vinson occurred when she worked for 10 years in the shop of Marie Miller on Gay Street.
“When she would go out of town, she would ask me to oversee the shop. One day she decided to pursue another career, and she asked me if I wanted to buy her shop. I did and changed the name to Gay Street Beauty Shop,” Vinson said fondly.
“Later, my husband and I decided to build me a shop at my home, Rosa’s Parlor of Beauty. It became a booming business with clients from Van Wyck, Monroe, Indian Land and Lancaster,” she said.
Vinson retired in 2023 after 50 years of service and medical challenges.
Not only was Vinson skilled in the cosmetology profession, but the beauty of her business was her love for people. It was evident by her offering free cosmetology services to the Girls Home and Lancaster Convalescent Center.
She has served as a Guardian Ad Litem and foster parent. Through her ministry, she often sent products to Liberia and visited the country twice. Vinson is an ordained minister and associate pastor at Deliverance Word of Faith Church. She is the mother of four children and has outlived two of them and her husband.
How did Vinson maintain a thriving cosmetology business as a hair stylist for 50 years? Her words of wisdom are as follows:
1. Be sure to have your mind focused on becoming a business owner and know this is what you want to do; there are a lot of opportunities.
2. Trust God to be successful.
3. Have love and patience with people.
4. Complete a business course.
“I can attest to Mrs. Vinson’s love for people. She was my mother’s stylist for several years. It warmed my heart, as she fondly recalled memories of my mother and the patience of my father when he would bring my mother for her beauty appointment,” reminisces Verta Looper.
This article concludes our celebration of female entrepreneurs in Lancaster who have turned their love of beauty into thriving businesses. We have enjoyed sharing their contributions to our community.
Words of wisdom
To conclude our celebration we would like to share a few words of wisdom from Melissa Jones-Horton, who was featured in our March 23-24 article.
She advises those wanting to start a business to think of a service you would do for free and then learn every aspect of the business.
Jones-Horton also emphasizes the importance of understanding the cost of operating a business, including having a good accountant, hiring an attorney, paying insurance and other miscellaneous costs associated with ownership. Most importantly, she stresses “when challenges are faced, don’t give up.”
As a member of the S.C. State of Labor Licensing of Barbers Examiners and 2nd VP of the National Barbers Board, Jones-Horton suggests the following resources and procedures:
• If you are attending high school and have an interest in a career as a cosmetologist or barber, consult your school counselor regarding the requirements. There are private cosmetology schools in nearby Camden, Rock Hill and Monroe, N.C. There is a cosmetology program housed at the Career Center at Lancaster High School. Begin in middle school to explore your interests.
• One does not have to acquire a high school diploma to become a barber. More information is available at www.uniquehairdesign-theschool.org.
• To become licensed as a cosmetologist, one must pass the state board’s test. Afterward, a licensed cosmetologist can open a salon business or work in one.
• The city and county regulations vary for opening a business within those geographical limits.
May this series of articles during Women History Month inspire you to pursue your interest in exploring the cosmetology and barber businesses.
We salute all female entrepreneurs and those in the cosmetology and barber professions. We thank you for reading our series on turning beauty into businesses.
