Today we’d like to introduce you to Rasheeda Arterberry.
Rasheeda, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up pretty much thinking I was supposed to be a doctor. Living in a small town in East Texas, you were told, by your parents, what you were going to be. My Dad focused on, not only sports but my education. I was an athlete and determined to be the best. No one thought that a tiny, 5’1, 90lb girl, would be able to excel in activities like the high jump or basketball it was just unheard of; but because I don’t accept “NO”: I DID IT and WON!
My father didn’t graduate from high school, because it wasn’t a priority, especially being one of 14 children. His focus was to work and care for his family and serve his country. The common discussions had about education were not so common in our home. He didn’t know about Financial Aid and he couldn’t afford to pay for our education. He warned us that if we didn’t get a full ride scholarship to a college, then the only other option was to join the military at the age of 18. When the time came, I got that scholarship. It was from UCLA, but it only paid for Basketball. No one explained scholarships and student loans to me, so I went with Plan B. Off to the military I went; leaving my Hoop Dreams behind.
Years have passed, and I don’t have one regret of being in the military because it made me who I am: a strong, structured, and disciplined member of society. During my 11 years of service, I have been in two wars and my medic training offered me a different perspective on LIFE. In all of that chaos, I learned humility and how to work through stressful situations. There were times in Afghanistan, I can remember holding wounds together with my bare hands, just to keep my fellow soldier alive. I’ve experienced the joy of saving a life and the sorrow of losing one. To lose someone you have fought and trained with, will make you a stronger person. The will, drive, and tenacity drove me to finish out my career in the US Navy.
After 11 years of service, I had no clue what I was going to do, because I was a different person, with new experiences. I just knew that I didn’t want to go back into the medical field, mostly because of the trauma. I did, however, have the skills, so I used them to get in the workforce to take care of my family. I took a job at Parkland Hospital, working with Women and Infants and surprisingly, this gave me peace. Sadly, I still wasn’t satisfied, and I just didn’t know what was missing. I just knew that it wasn’t there at that hospital.
I went back to school for business, but I just couldn’t figure out my specialty. I went into it without any direction, but I still felt good about being there. One day, after successfully completing an exam, I decided to go and get my nails done, to celebrate. This was a great turning point in my life. I remember asking for a specific shape and design, but they did not do it to my satisfaction. Being the type of person that I am, I went home and fixed it myself. I realized I had a talent for this and I made a decision. I told my husband I wanted to go to school to become a Licensed Nail Technologist.
I pursued my journey to find the right school that mainly focused on nails. I didn’t want to do hair or facials. I just wanted to do nails. I looked for schools in my city and couldn’t find any that just focused on becoming a Nail Technician. I looked around the whole state of Texas and found NOTHING! I finally had to attend a small makeup school, with a Nail Technology Program where I could get my license, without becoming a cosmetologist.
The experience got me what I needed, but it was less than desirable. While the other students complained, I continued to work because I had other plans with my license. I was determined that after I graduate, I would open the first Manicure School in the state of Texas. It was becoming a reality. I eventually graduated with my bachelor’s degree in Business and received my certification and a Nail Technologist. It was long and finding the money to open the school was an entire journey that I learned and grew from. After all the hard work, I finally opened my school on April 30, 2017. It was the most exciting day of my life and I finally realized that I was able to keep it together because I was meant for something greater.
There were so many obstacles that were meant to stop me from my goal. I have experienced success in opening the school and some failures. This is a part of life. The test is when you do fall, you fall forward and learn from your mistakes and get right back up. With the success of my school, I have still experienced setbacks, but I never quit. I had to learn to keep pushing forward and never give up. There are people that I have had to just let go of, including close friends and family, but I just can’t allow anything to hinder my journey. One of my mentors told me, “During this road to success, you will have to let my family and friends go, that is not on the same path as you.”
The most important thing I remember is that I will always stay faithful and remember that God has always been there to pick me up. The trials and tribulations that I have endured from childhood to the military and even in my life as a civilian, will not let me give up. With God on my side, no one can ever interfere with His plan.
MOVING FORWARD
Transitioning from the Military World to Civilian World was a big change for me. To be honest, I just didn’t want to stay in the medical field. The trauma of the wars made it difficult for me to function. Going to school to open my own business, I really didn’t know what I was doing and the direction I wanted to go in. I was really lost and going through a divorce and balancing being a Mother, made it difficult to even concentrate. I was homeless and bouncing between homes and hotels, with my daughter, but I was determined to finish school.
I had to sit down and decide. I planned moving forward to have a support system around me to hold me accountable to ensure my grades will not reflect my master’s program. I chose to go back to Texas where I could have a support system. I planned and included my support system with the choices I made. They helped me with my daughter and I ended up finishing up school.
“Find a man who is diligent at what he does, and he shall stand before Kings and not mean men.”~ Proverbs 22:29
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?
No. It definitely was not a smooth road. I was denied from banks even though I had a good credit score, a business plan, and money. They just didn’t invest in small business start-ups.
The week of starting up my first marketer took $5k from me and just did my website. He tried to sue me for $5k because I fired him for not doing his work. I won that.
My second marketer stole $25k after I advanced him to COO and put him as a signer on my business bank account. I had to sue him and won at least 20% back.
My CFO stole $8k from the bank and filed fraudulent taxes under the school and my name. She is facing charges.
A student tried to sue me for $6k when she only came to school for 2 days and dropped out. I won that case.
Please tell us about American Manicure School of Art.
American Manicure School of Art is the first and only nail school in the state of Texas that is dedicated to the nail artist.
We teach students how to properly take care of peoples nail care needs as well as license them once graduated.
We specialize in nails.
I am most proud as a small business that through all adversity, I NEVER gave up, stayed persistent as the first nail school in the state of Texas opened by a black, woman veteran.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from childhood was me being in the orchestra.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3901 W. Arkansas Ln, Suite 104
Arlington, TX 76016 - Website: www.amschoolofart.com
- Phone: 817-993-9801
- Email: americanmanicureschool@gmail.com
- Instagram: americanmanicureschool
- Facebook: American Manicure School of Art, LLC
Image Credit:
Photocouture By Symone
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