Hi, my name is Shannon people call me Shan for short. I am the owner of Chic by Shan's Beauty Shop located in Suwanee, Ga. 27 years old, born and raised in Albany, Ga. The youngest of my siblings, a twin, the youngest by 30 minutes, also a wife and a mom to two amazing little kids. Before becoming a Licensed Master Cosmetologist, I was a member of the United States Army. Sadly my career ended when I suffered an injury to my hip. So yes, this makes me a veteran and a strong advocate for disabled veterans. My love for the beauty industry began as I was serving in the military.
I was so profound and excited about doing hair and makeup; whatever you could think of, I enrolled in beauty school. Yes, I was overworked and drained!!! At the time, I was a full-time soldier, with my day beginning as early as 5 a.m. Mon-Fri and a part-time hair school student in the evening are making it in the house after 11 p.m. every night. During my time in Cosmetology school, I was expecting my first child at the time. As I progressed through the pregnancy, the standing and everything I was doing in the military was mentally and physically taking me out. Since I couldn't just up and quit the military to pursue my dreams because of the contract I was obligated to, I decided to drop out of beauty school. That decision did make me feel like a failure at the time, but I had to do what was best for my mind, body, and spirit. All of this took place in 2013.
Looking back today, I can't believe I went through everything that I went through. Honestly, when I became a beauty school drop-out, I had no desire to go back and try again, which is pretty shocking to me. I took it as hey, at least you tried, but that wasn't the end. I still had a burning desire to go back and try again. Something deep down inside me kept pushing the thought into my mind frame. Mind you, I dropped out of school in 2013 and didn't re-enroll into another school until 2019, so it took me six years to get to where I am today. Wow, I can't believe it took me that long during those years though things still weren't going ultimately the way I wanted them to go. I did try to do the whole college thing and get a degree in Business Management. I attended Georgia State University and Albany State University for a short time. Everything was going well until that Pre Calculus class. I had some other family things going on as well in my personal life. Once again, I dropped out of college due to a lack of focus.
When I dropped out of school, I had to sit back and do some self-reflection on myself. I went and picked up a 9-5 at a call center. Having a job like that was driving me crazy. I literally would cry some days in the parking lot before I would clock in. I was starting to hate my life. I knew for a fact that that was not my calling or purpose. Nothing was going my way, and I was stressed out, so I took it upon myself and QUIT!! I quit on New Year's Eve; I couldn't bring that stress into the new year. I left, but I had a plan. I packed up my belongings and moved to Atlanta, and was in hair school the next week. I knew I was taking a significant risk. This choice was the all-or-nothing move I couldn't fail or quit this time. I joined Empire Beauty School to start over and go all the way, which happened. I joined and went all the way. I loved going to school and working on my craft. That's how I came up with Chic By Shan. Our teacher at the time would make us write our business names on our mirrors at our stations.
Honestly, Chic by Shan was only supposed to be a short-term name. I chose the name because it sounded good with my first name. Chic makes me think of runways and platform design, so every time I complete a style, I would start saying, you've been Chicced, and that's how my love for Chic by Shan became to be. Who knows how big of a household name Chic by Shan will be in the future, but what I do know is Chic by Shan is me. Chic by Shan represents class and sophistication, and that's the feeling I want my clients to have when they visit my salon. I want to pass on the knowledge of hair and the experience that I have gained and received. I want my clients to feel like they are essential and their hair matters, not just earning a quick dollar. Healthy Hair is what Chic by Shan is all about.
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