Ashro Woman: Vanessa H.
Meet Ashro Woman of the Week, Vanessa H. from Jacksonville, FL.
“I embody The Ashro Woman every day in my salon studio.” Vanessa, seasoned Master Hair Stylist AND veteran of the Airforce National Guard, sees The Ashro Woman as one who “exudes strength even in weakness—and times of uncertainty.
She gains momentum from storms that are created to destroy her.” This extraordinary woman can relate. A wife (of 34 years), mother and grandmother, Vanessa is an accomplished woman. What is most impressive, however, is how she approaches life.
She has a humble, thankful servant heart that flows out of a deep faith. If you come to her salon, Vanessa will no doubt give you a beautiful hairstyle, but more importantly, she will make you feel good. There is love beneath her actions.
“Every day in my salon studio, I build confidence, help many women feel special, look pretty and be the very best version of themselves.” In her work and her ministry helping young mothers, she has found that it’s hard to convince women to take care of themselves.
“Today’s African American women wear many hats…Take time out every day for you. Care for yourself, read a book, get a massage, meditate, maintain your peace and sanity…Take care of yourself and your health because you are no good to anyone or your family if you are sick and all broke down.”
| Name |
| Vanessa H. |
| Which city do you live? |
| Jacksonville |
| Which state do you live? |
| Florida |
| How would you describe the Ashro woman? How do you embody her? |
| The Asher woman is Confident, strong, resilient and compassionate.. An Ashro Woman exudes strength even in weakness and times of uncertainty. She gains momentum from storms that are created to destroy her. She understands that giving and sharing is caring.. I embody the ashro woman everyday in my studio as I help other women feel and look their pretty best. |
| What do you do for a living? What do you like most about it? What don’t you like? |
| I am a well seasoned & veteran Master Hairstylist and veteran of the United States Air Force Reserve I embrace and understand the importance of serving . Through serving my country everyday in my salon studio I build confidence, help many women feel like special, look pretty and be the very best version of themselves. Todays African American woman wears many hats and when I’m giving the opportunity to service their beauty needs it comes with a humble and grateful heart of servitude.. what I like the most about my profession is everyday I get the opportunity to assist women with one thing that’s important to them and that’s their appearance which ultimately effects their confidence and self esteem. The dislike is when I witness clients suffer with permanent hair loss (alopecia) which is an unforeseen issue for many African American women. |
| How do you spend your free time? |
| I enjoy exercising with my husband, traveling and spending time with my family my grandsons in particular… |
| What small thing makes you happy? |
| Being at home and enjoying R&R |
| What is your best dish? Who do you make it for—and where do you typically serve it? |
| My best dish is broccoli & cheese casserole. I make it for my family and serve it at family/holiday gatherings |
| What has been your greatest struggle…and your greatest (or latest) triumph? |
| My greatest struggle has been convincing women (mainly young mothers) the importance of self care. My greatest triumph is maintaining a happy marriage of 34 years in spite of times of great challenge and opposition.. |
| Who influenced you the most in your life. Why? And in what way? |
| My best friend Janice is one of my biggest influences in my life. I grew up in a single parent home and one thing my moms could not pass down to me was how to be a good wife and homemaker. My best friend was raised in a two parent home and witnessed her mom be a wife and homemaker, everything she learned from her amaaaazing mom she shared and passed down to me which ultimately groomed and trained me to be an awesome wife and homemaker. I love her so much… |
| Do you volunteer or do charity work? Tell us about it! |
| Yes I’ve worked with the pace center for girls which is a school for troubled teens, my husband and I are youths ministry leaders at our church, I enjoy selecting young troubled teens (from our ministry) and mentoring them, impart values, morals and build their self esteem. |
| Are you in a sorority? Or is anyone in your family in a sorority? If so, which one and what does it mean to you? |
| I am not in a sorority. My sister is a member of AKA. I’ve watched her commitment and loyalty to this organization. I appreciate how the sorority assist, builds and display unity, sisterhood, cultivate positive relationships and support one another… |
| What do you love about fashion and style? |
| I am very sassy, classy and enjoy displaying the elegant woman in me. I am a modest in my expression of fashion/style and believe in staying in my lane with class and grace. |
| Has anyone in particular influenced your style? |
| Michelle Obama and Erica Campbell (gospel singer Mary Mary) |
| What occasions/events do you dress up for? (for example-do you often dress up for church, cultural events, charity events, going out, etc.) And how often do you typically get dressed up? |
| I enjoy glamming out for pageants, holiday parties, galas, weddings and anniversary dinners.. I typically glam out several times per year.. |
| How has your style evolved over time? |
| I am trending with the latest styles and trends… I like to stay in my lane… |
| Do you wear hats? How often and what type of hat? Do you wear them to church? If so, be sure to share a pic of you in a hat with us! |
| I enjoy wearing hats but do not often. |
| Do you wear headwraps? How often? Where did you learn how to tie it? Share a pic of you in a headwrap with us! |
| I enjoy head wraps but it’s not a current trend in my wardrobe. |
| Do you wear wigs? How often and what length or style? If so, be sure to share a pic of you in a wig with us! |
| I am not a wig wearer. |
| Are you a woman of faith? How does that faith affect your life? Please tell us more. |
| I am a Christian and I lean and rely heavily on my faith in God and the word of God. My faith in God’s word is a blueprint for my life. I rely heavily on it as a lamp to light the path of my life. I gain spiritual motivation and encouragement from Gods word to live a life that’s pleasing unto him and cultivate my love for God and the love for people. |
| Do you attend church? What church do you go to and what do you love most about it? |
| Yes I attend church at Grace International Church. I love to see the lives of humanity touched and changed by God’s grace. |
| How are you passing along your faith traditions onto your children/grandchildren? |
| Weekly we have family prayer and mini Bible study with our adult children. And have been since they were kids. They are 25 & 28. Our grandsons enjoy family prayer and look forward to the part in the prayer when they can pray…. |
| Are you a First Lady or a Pastor? |
| No |
| Your best advice? |
| My advice for other Astro women would be to always. take time out everyday for you. Care for yourself, read a book, get a massage, meditate , maintain your peace and sanity. I always tell my daughters and clients take care of yourself and your health because you are no good to anyone or your family sick and all broke down. |
| What lessons has motherhood (or being a grandmother) taught you? |
| Motherhood taught me to love, care and share. |
| Are you an Ashro Credit customer? If so, how has our credit helped you? |
| No I am not |
| Do you have a memory to share of when you first heard about Ashro or when you received your first catalog? |
| I remember reading an article out of Astro and thought wow this is a really cool catalog. |
Thanks for inspiring us, Vanessa!
If you’d like a chance to be a future Ashro Woman of the Week, share your story with us—then watch your weekly Ashro emails to see if you’re featured next! Already filled out our questionnaire? Then you’re all set (you may see yourself featured in next week’s email)! Make sure to tell your friends and family to sign up for emails. We can’t wait to see you!
