Today we’d like to introduce you to Zerlene Rogers.
Zerlene, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My career has taken me from behind the chair as a pro-hairstylist of 20 years and nearly a decade as an educator, to working with high profile clients, and now styling hair for TV and film. I have worked on films including; Carter High, Born Again Virgin, and Tazmanian. Throughout all aspects of my life through hair, TV & film and education, but more importantly, giving back with Zerlene Rogers Beauty & Brains; I have been given the blessing by my clients and those I serve to be considered a “sheer genius“. Now, as I expand myself into other areas such as modeling, fitness training, and business curating with other creative minds collectively, I am still growing as a person, businesswoman, contributor of society and ultimately my overall brand as Zerlene Rogers, Health & Beauty Expert and Influencer.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve faced numerous obstacles along my journey including the hair industry, even though that has been the easiest for me, as well as other areas that I have branched out in. Particularly in establishing and growing my non-profit organization Zerlene Rogers Beauty and Brains which aims to uplift young ladies and empower them to appreciate their inner beauty. My foundation impacts the lives of junior high and high school-aged girls at one of the most impressionable times in their lives. We do this by engaging the girls with various community outreach programs and events that lead up to our annual Brunch and Scholarship Awards Ceremony in August. My primary struggle with starting and maintaining this foundation was putting my vision for the organization into a working plan and having all the key pieces come together, including having the right people who are just as committed and dedicated to the cause, to finding and retaining resources for the organization’s beneficiaries. My advice for other women, particularly young women who are just starting their journey, is to be realistic about your obstacles and challenges, acknowledge them, assess them, and put a plan into action to face them so that you can keep going to fulfill your purpose.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
As a professional hairstylist, I’m dedicated to my craft so continuous education, training, and achieving certifications while I work in my career is a necessity. I’m certified in several areas of the hair industry ranging from premium product lines, haircutting techniques, extensions, and styling. I’ve trained with several entities: Farouk System, Elizabeth Arden The Red Door Salon, Dry Bar, and various product classes. I’m most proud of my evolution as an overall brand within the beauty industry. To be able to come from behind the chair as a pro-hairstylist and branch out into areas of the people I serve. So, not only am I the pro-hairstylist, but I am also the model at the photo shoot, the fitness trainer working on a video set, and the beauty influencer recommending products, merchandise, and other brands I use and or support. I am my clientele! From modeling to fitness training, to becoming a beauty influencer this is one of the attributes I’ve worked hard to possess and what ultimately sets me apart from others in my field.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
I have several mentors that I have been fortunate enough to connect with. Through networking, I have come across some of the most diverse, extraordinary, talented, and thought-provoking individuals who have selflessly shared their knowledge, experience, and advice with me to help me grow personally and in business. I gather with a group of women from various business industries, that may or may not include beauty as the focus, on a monthly basis who come together as a “think tank” to help each other evolve, as well as hold each accountable to our efforts. This has worked well for me, especially in the areas of motivation, gaining new perspectives, and solutions to issues as they come across.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.zerlenerogers.com
- Phone: (469) 893-0893
- Email: zerlenerogers@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/zerlenerogers
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zerlenerogers
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/zerlenerogers
- Other: https://www.zerlenerogers.com/beautyandbrains
Image Credit:
DLacyphoto, Mojoqphotography
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