We recently connected with Aronde Gaskins and have shared our conversation below.
Aronde, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience comes from understanding that one means of growth comes through persevering challenges. There are always lessons that can be learned from enduring challenges although you may not see them right away and I love to learn.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My name is Stacia Dashiell and I am the CEO of A Beautiful U Beauty Supply in Nottingham, Maryland with my partner Danjuma Gaskins. A Beautiful U Beauty Supply was established in May 2019. We sell hair care, nail care, skin care, wigs, hair extensions, and cosmetics. We provided consulting, Braiding, Notary, equipment repair services and other support small black owed businesses, especially those who have beauty care products. I enjoy owning a beauty supply store, my own business, a dream come true within the community in which I reside. With over 30 years in the industry, I can provide professional care to people of all ethnic groups and especially to my own in the community. When young people come into the store and inquire if we own it, it does us proud to say, “Yes we own the store”. Seeing the expression on their facing just warms my spirit. Our store is unique in comparison to other stores because we focus on customer service, have associates who take the time to be trained in the products and services we offer, and we provide products that are specific to the nature of our business.
Our brand stands for Beauty. Letting everyone know that they are beautiful and we are here to enhance already beautiful people. When you come to us, we will take the time to speak to you and find out how we can be of service to you as an individual.
Coming this spring, we will show case our black businesses whose products are in our stores. There will be discounts given, prizes, demonstrations and networking.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
When I look back over my journey, some of the qualities that have been the most impactful in addition to my education, natural gifts, and experience are as follows: my dedication to serving others in all areas of my life – my spiritual journey – knowledge my family poured into me – and determination. Although there are many more contributing factors, these stand out at this time in my life.
My advice to those who are early in their journey as an entrepreneur is to surround yourself with likeminded people. Continue to educate yourself in the craft as well as the processes and never stop, research the free resources that area available to you in your local area and governments, have self-determination because the road you travel may be lonely sometimes and will become difficult and strive to be the best at what you do. Write down your vision for your business and continue to work that plan. Keep in mind that everything in life is a risk. There are good risk and bad risk. Make this journey your good risk.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
There are many days when I feel overwhelmed. I take a deep breath and step away and do self – care. I give myself 24 to 72 hours. So I begin to fast and pray, take long walks in the park, sit by the water front and write, take time out for myself to relax my mind and rejuvenate, and most importantly go away by myself so that I can process all of what I have going on to reassure myself or see what needs to change. I then come back and analyze the area that may be overwhelming me so that I can eliminate or redirect the issue. This may mean that I need to reorganize, restructure, rededicate and delegate. I suggest that when any one is overwhelmed they first find their calm place. Then see what works for them and analyze their situation, to include people, places and things that maybe in their lives causing them to feel overwhelmed.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.abeautifulubeautysupply.com
- Instagram: Abeautifulu_
- Facebook: Abeautifulu_
Image Credits
The photographers are: Courtney Palmer of New York Tonya Johnson of Baltimore Saadiq Coakley of Baltimore
