Juanita is making her dreams a reality from student to Mompreneur
Juanita discovered DFSA on a Campus Life announcement board at Huston-Tillotson University where she studies psychology. She immediately scheduled three appointments for professional styling, career coaching and a headshot. In her words, carpe diem… seize the day! A phrase that motivates Juanita as she works on the initial stages of a business idea.
BUKidz salon and school is a service that provides:
Beauty services that specialize in natural, textured hair care
Educational courses
Specialty professional products
Social justice and self-care advocacy
An increase in the confidence and self-esteem of children and families in the local community
As part of the new business venture, Juanita is preparing to pitch this idea in Baltimore, Maryland as part of the 2024 Jeremiah Program Summit, a Spark Tank Idea Bootcamp that elevates Mompreneurs by connecting finalists with resources and awarding $20,000 in prize money and coaching. As part of the top 16, she is preparing with one of the requirements - a new headshot. She’s also utilizing our professional styling service as an opportunity to update her wardrobe and career coaching to discuss the financial projection of her business plan.
In 2015, Juanita obtained her Natural Hair Certification from the Institute of Ancestral Braiding in Dallas, Texas. Yearning to improve her skills, she later received her Texas Cosmetology License in 2017.
While attending Ogle Beauty School in Stafford, Texas she participated in several styling and color competitions, but nothing compared to the feeling of learning about styling and maintaining natural textured hair care.
Her passion went so far as to get her Texture Certification from TRESemme in 2022 where she then volunteered as a Textured Hair care specialist in multiple runways shows across Houston, Austin, and New York for various Fashion Weeks. Her cornrows hairstyle was even featured in VOGUE Magazine!
As a community advocate, Juanita continuously uses her platform including blog writing for SXSW EDU where she encourages support for The CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair).
Juanita shares advice she would give to Central Texas women, “Be intentional. The organization was created to help each of us in this thing called life, knowing that makes me feel loved. Dress for Success Austin is more beautiful than I ever could have imagined.”