We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lynn Madden. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lynn below.
Lynn, 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?
I grew up in a poor neighborhood in the Bronx(NYC) I saw drug dealers on every corner as my mom walked me to school and knew someday I would build a life where I could raise my kids in a safe environment and teach my children that good things are earned and hard work pays off.
My parents didn’t have much but gave me and my siblings everything they could in addition to a loving home. I saw how hard they worked to provide and that made me determined to continue in their path.
After college, I joined the NYC POLICE DEPT, I worked hard and gave my heart to everyone I met on patrol. I provided safety, I was shot at and thankfully they missed, had car chases and survived Sept 11th attacks, and still, every day I looked forward to going into work. I survived cancer 3 times and have 4 beautiful children. After retiring from the Police Dept. at the age of 50 I went back to school and got my Florida cosmetology license, opened my own salon suite “Stylynn Beauty” and now help people look and feel beautiful. I do my best to influence my kids in the way my parents did me. I want them to have the same vision and know that with determination and hard work you’ll be able to achieve any thing you set your mind to. My resilience comes from the strength my parents taught me to never let go of, oh how I wish they were still alive to see all I have accomplished. I surely hope I’ve made them proud.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I love what I do, as a cosmetologist I get to help people feel and look amazing. I get to be their ears when they need to talk and give them advice on how to care for them selves.
As a cancer survivor I love to give back when I can so during the month of October I do pink Hair extensions for $10 each and all the proceeds go to “The American Cancer Society” I also encourage any client courting more then 10 inches of hair to donate the hair to “locs of love” it’s an organization that makes wigs for cancer survivors who have lost their hair due to life saving cancer medication. I’m currently working on doing volunteer work at my mother in laws 55 and over community once a week. Giving fills my heart.
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?
Listen to your educators, don’t be afraid to ask for help, take constructive criticism and work to perfect your skills.
Never give up on your dreams. I continue to learn new skills to provide better services, so Always keep learning, you will go as far as you want as long as you work hard for it!
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When you feel overwhelmed, take a step back, a day off, relax and do something for your self that makes you happy. Time Management is important for her mind and body’s health and well being.
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: Hair_by_lynnm
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
