WOMANITION MAGAZINE Womanition2017_Magazine_ForWEB (old) | Page 79

mortgage broker Stylist/Entrepreneur Maria Lewis Making a Difference Knowing that I can make a difference, even in the smallest way, motivates me. As a single mom, my son was my biggest motivation. I was always finding ways to supplement the income I could make in the salon. Since people seemed to like my cooking, I started baking cookies, catering meals, and doing in-home meal prep for private parties. I could sew, so I sewed for others, too. As my son reached adulthood, I began to realize that all my sources of income were based on doing physical work. As an entrepreneur, my ‘pension plan’ was up to me, and I needed to create some residual income to supplement what I could do with just my own hands. When I decided to expand my business to include anti-aging products, I knew I would need help reaching out to other woman, instead of counting on them to come to me, as they had with my hairstyling and catering businesses. Through Womanition I was given the opportunity to be in the Mentorship Program and was mentored by Dorothy Briggs who helped me start stepping out of my comfort zone. Through Womanition Networking I have met many amazing business women. Meeting and hiring Mary-Lou Gutscher as my coach has contributed to the growth of my business. I am grateful for the Womanition Network and the many sponsors for the growth of my business. In particular, choosing to be in the magazine has turned out to be a true gift for me and at least one other special person. I received an email from someone who read my article in last year’s Womanition Magazine and she thought that I would be a good fit for one of her co-workers. Her co-worker was a single mother who gave her all for her son and others, but had no time for herself. Her story touched my heart. I decided to provide her with a complete makeover, granting her a few hours of pampering and the ability to walk away feeling appreciated, and looking vibrant and beautiful. I’m so grateful that I was able to make such a difference in her life! My profession has allowed me to be with people. It gives me the opportunity to make a difference every day. I love my job as much today as I did when I first started. I want to continue to provide my clients with quality work and products and have all my clients old and new looking and feeling their very best. hri Stylist/Entrepreneur MARIA LEWIS Independent Hairstylist at Alta Moda Design Group Independent Brand Partner with Nerium International www.mariasal.nerium.com [email protected] Salon 780-482-1471 Cell 780-999-2051 77