Today we’d like to introduce you to Timberlin Oden.
Timberlin, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My career in hair started 30 days out of high school. Which still shocks me today because my mom dragged me off to cosmetology school. At that time the US was at war due to what happened on 9/11. My mother did what she could to stop me from going to the air forces. I remember her saying not my baby! Although I was 18 at the time she convinced me that I could come work in the salon with her and I would be just fine.
Although the journey has not always been easy. The changes have strengthened my business as well as my faith. I remember falling out of love with hair and the beauty industry as a whole after having children and seeing the drastic changes in the industry. I left the hair business after getting pregnant with my third child and became a stay at home mom. I remember breaking the news to my clients and them asking oh my gosh what are we going to do! I stayed home with my family for one year and two months. By the end of that time I was ready to go back to work but I was not ready to go back into the salon! I couldn’t figure out what I wanted to do. I had been praying that I never returned back to the salon. And at the time the Lord kept bringing to heart his word, Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed (proverbs 16:13). Every time I thought about salon life, rebuilding a clientele and the overall business, that one verse kept coming to mind. Right then and there I made the decision to commit my business to the Lord because I knew he was going to supply all of my needs. So I jumped back into the hair game not really knowing what it was God had in store for me. Overall, I would have never dreamed that 13+ years later my career would be my ministry.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Once I got back into the industry I noticed everything was different. Every business I could think of was on Facebook and IG and using it as an advertisement platform. At that time remember I wondering what exactly is Instagram. Once I got on Instagram I noticed wait a minute stylist aren’t competing against the locals, you’re competing against the world! That’s when I became excited about the industry all over again. I could see all the new hairstyles, all the new cuts, all the new techniques, and it really, really excited me!
With everything being so new I knew I needed classes. In this industry education is key. And there the problem was, money. I’d just got back into hair and was still depending on my husband to assist me in my career along with him providing for the household. To make matters worse we had a child that needed surgery. Of course my child comes first so classes had to wait! At the very moment I began to experience doubts like is this my time? Did I leave home to soon? How will I ever get to the classes with 3 kids that need and ect. I can recall being totally overwhelmed with my doubts and getting on my knees and praying. I asked the Lord if this is for me show me. You created the heavens, stars, sun, moon and you are my father. You created me and at this moment Lord I need your creativity. Show me! Believe it or not after I prayed that prayer it all came to me in a dream. A few months later with prayer and petition I was able to book one on one classes with a few talented stylist in the DFW area. Then I knew that this was the beginning of something new.
One thing I’ve learned is that there will always be obstacles throughout our entire existence but you don’t have to go through them alone and God is faithful.
TimberlinO – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I specializes in Healthy hair with a focus on short haircuts. That has always been my passion from day one. I take my time with each individual to educate and also understand client’s goals and assist in achieving those goals…
I am very grateful that my business is where it is today and made up of professionals from all walks of life. This thing has become more than a hair mission but a place my clients can come and let go for a brief moment and if need be we will close the door and gather in prayer because sometimes that’s just what they need.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
How do I personally define success? To be very frank with you in my younger days I thought like most young people did and assumed success consisted of material things. And oh how my views have changed. By the end of each day I asked myself, did I love my neighbor as myself? If I sensed there was a need, did I fill the need? Did I genuinely pour into and encourage my clients? Did I do what God wanted me to do? These are questions and markers for myself to my client. These are goals I’m consistently trying to achieve every day with my clients.
For the most part when a client looks in the mirror and cries, I know that I have made this a successful visit not just for me but for them as well. When the client ask “is it OK if I give you a hug”, I know that appointment was a success. When your client says at the end of each visit I knew today was the day I was supposed to be here, or girl you always have a good word from me, I know that was a successful visit. When a client text you and says thank you for always being there and supporting me in my time of need or thank you I just love my hair, I know that, that is success! And because I have committed my business to the Lord and I do Kingdom business I am successful!
Pricing:
- Shampoo and Styles start @ $60
- Shampoo, Cuts and Styles start @ $120
- Relaxers Start @ $90
Contact Info:
- Address: 1601 E. Lamar Blvd. #113-f
- Website: styleseat.com/timberlin
- Phone: 817.966.0246
- Email: timberlina5@gmail.com
- Instagram: Timberlinoden
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