We were lucky to catch up with Keva Edwards-Davis recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Keva, really appreciate you joining us to talk about a really relevant, albeit unfortunate topic – layoffs and getting fired. Can you talk to us about your experience and how you overcame being let go?
I was able to over come being laid off many years ago by tapping in to my faith. As a single mother of two daughters, at that time, it was devastating to be called into the Controllers office of well know payroll company and told that I was to be downsized along with 2 other people out of every department. After 911, many companies made the choice to lessen their losses by doing mass layoffs. I will never forget that day but it was the day that started my shift into being a business owner and entrepreneur. After being downsized and agreeing to not work at a similar company for 2yrs because I had been instrumental in developing software for that company’s billing system, I was to receive a severance and was escorted out of the building. I had spent almost 5 yrs of my life working up from an entry level position to being the billing department, myself. I’d worked late nights, weekends and holidays when no one else was there. My loyalty was not enough to keep my position because I had just returned from maternity leave not too long before and had taught someone my job and that made be expendable.
Once I returned home, as I was told to come in because I was at home sick, after crying the whole drive home, I went into my apartment and fell to my knees. With tears in my eyes, I asked God, “What do you want me to do? I don’t want to be out of your will”, God said, to “Use to the gifts I have given you”.
Well, I knew that I had the gift of making others look and feel beautiful. I had other gifts as well like singing, dancing, writing songs, poetry and list goes on. However, I was to go to beauty college and become a Licensed Cosmetologist. I was to go and finish quickly. Which I did in 12 months. Once I completed my program and passed my test with flying colors, I was told where I would be working by an influential person in my life and I did. I walked into a place that I’d never been before and was told that , “We’ve been waiting for you”. From there, I worked as an assistant for a few months as my clientele built. Once I was able to, I started Beauty By Trinity, the name I was given on the day that I lost my job. The owner of Vworks, Vernicia Washington, who has since passed away from Leukemia, encouraged us to operate as a business from our booth in which we rented. This would be the foundation for my now, almost 17 year old salon, Beauty By Trinity Salon & Suites, 7710 Reading Road, Suite 120, in which I was able to establish in the community of Roselawn, in Cincinnati Ohio.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
As a cosmetologist of over 20 years, I still work behind the chair at my salon. I have also had the opportunity to travel the world, educating for an international beauty brand, doing platform work for that brand as well as be quoted in several beauty trade magazines. I’ve worked as Creative Director on projects with a well known beauty group out of Denver, CO. We’ve traveled the world producing art by way of photography, beauty presentations as well as runway at New York Fashion Week & Denver Fashion week for several seasons. However, my passion project has become my Unity brand, YOTWM, which stands for, Year of the WoMan, Year of the Man.
Established in 2018, and evolved to become a brand who cultivates Unity between men and women.
After divorce from a marriage of 14years, I found myself single in a very divided time. The decision to rebrand from a, solely women’s empowerment brand, came out of this need for unity in our community and YOTWM was born. Now I have successfully completed my 2nd year of YOTWM Unity Summits and we are going into our 3rd year in 2026. We have 3 rounds per year. One in February, June and November. We have 5 single men, 5 single women and 5 couples come together to answer 5 questions geared towards unity between men and women in an effort to restore the village. The safe space has provided the opportunity for many to voice their thoughts, opinions and concerns without bashing, insults or criticism. It has been well received and attendees increase with every summit. I’m very excited for the next event, Saturday February 7th 1-7pm. Vendors begin at 1pm followed by the Unity Summit at 2:30-6pm, with catered bites & drinks, then we wrap up with more shopping and a mixer ending at 7pm.
I plan to continue to build and scale this effort because the community needs it. It has to start somewhere and why not me?
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three most valuable qualities for me were and are, the ability to make decisions based upon were I find myself, knowing myself and my purpose and having the ability to push through things that seem to be hard with a positive outlook. My advice would be to keep moving forward. When you come up against a hurdle, jump! Don’t complain. Strategize. Know who you were created to be and that you will accomplish that thing that you are put here to do. Build courage and determination by always looking for the solution and not focus on the problem too long. You know that you can do anything that you set your mind to do.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I feel overwhelmed, I stop what it is that may be causing that stressful moment and I separate myself from it. I do this to build myself up in order to not be overwhelmed by it again. I pause and reflect on how I feel and why I feel that way and work toward those emotions around the situation. A pause may involve deep breathing, prayer or if I need to remove myself longer. I may also do an activity that I enjoy. I’ve learned that we can control how we react to the situation and that’s half of the battle. Taking the positive route has worked better for my wellbeing. I will do whatever I must to maintain my peace.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.BeautyByTrinitysalonandsuites.com
- Instagram: www.Kevasdavis.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14MeYEpnBf8/?mibextid=wwXIfr
