We recently connected with Shannon Jennings and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Shannon , we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
This is a great question and something that I think about often because of the industry that I am a part of. I have always been drawn to confident, strong women and admired their endurance and tenacity. To me, confidence in a woman is absolutely stunning! That quality outshines beautiful hair or perfect makeup. Even as a young girl, I chose role models that were resilient women who pioneered change. I wanted to be just like these strong women that I looked up to. I knew from an early age that in order to cause a shift in culture – of any type – the catalyst for that change began in a person with confidence. How did I develop confidence? I took chances. Crazy chances. Only because I believed that I could take on the challenge in front of me without doubting myself. I understood that rejection is often a re-direction.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a Professional Bridal Hair and Makeup Artist serving Atlanta and Northeast Georgia. I am booked almost every weekend with brides that I prepare for their big day. I have the honor and privilege of getting the most beautiful women ready for their walk down the aisle and the best day of their lives. I love getting to know each and every one and I keep in touch with many of them years after their wedding. More than the artistic side of what I do, I love the relational side with my clients. I have a journalism and literary background which naturally wires me to ‘go deep’ with people and get to know them. I have met some of the most amazing and CONFIDENT women in my career.
Over the 15+ years that I have served the community, I started to notice that when I touched peoples’ faces and brushed their hair, it created a connection because I had crossed a barrier into their personal space. I have had women confess that they have literally pulled their hair out from stress and anxiety. I have seen shame on their faces. I had one mother of the bride begin to weep as I brushed her hair because she said it reminded her of her own mother brushing her hair as a little girl. Her mother had just passed away and was not able to attend the wedding. It was in these heartbreaking moments that I knew my calling was greater than applying makeup and styling bridal hair.
My calling is to love people. Simply love people right where they are.
I have added a sticker to the touch-up kits that I give every client. It reads, “I HOPE YOU KNOW HOW LOVED YOU ARE.” I don’t want to be known as the best, I want to be known as someone who loved well.
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?
I had an older woman look me square in the eye and say, “You are the older generation teaching the younger generation.” At first, I was offended, but then I realized that was a charge. To take on this charge is to empower younger women. When I take a young artist onto my team, I talk with her about her goals and where she sees herself in this career. I look for three things: natural talent that is also teachable, excellent communication skills, and confidence. If she has these three things then she will succeed.
It is important to me to compliment young talent. I know that it can be intimidating to work with a seasoned artist but when the older artist encourages the younger artist, you see a sense of confidence wash over them.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
My parents believed in me! I was raised in a two-parent home in the suburbs of Atlanta. My dad was a salesman who made his salary from 100% commission. In our home, he always had motivational speakers playing in the background. Like a child who listens to classical music and becomes intelligent, I listened to motivational speakers at 8 years old and took notes. I believed from an early age that I could do anything and no one could stop me. My parents never discouraged me. They were my biggest cheerleaders. I knew they were proud of every art or writing award. They had such confidence in me that if I told them that I wanted to be the President of the United States then they would lead the campaign and be my biggest support.
I see this mirrored in the brides that I work with. The most confident women are those with strong parent relationships. I have fathers come into the bridal suite and I cry every time with their first look at their daughters.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: artistrybyshannon
Image Credits
1) Elisha Roland Photography
2) Authentic Collective
3) Katie James Photography
4) Madie Ice Photography
5) Welcome to Georgia
6) Applehead Photography Design
7) Rare Love Stories
8) Rare Love Stories
