Patricia Thompson, the founder of TBA Helping Hands Foundation and owner of Touched by an Angel Beauty Schools and Salons, is giving away 30 scholarships on May 25. Men and women will be afforded an opportunity to attend, learn and receive their cosmetology license from an accredited beauty school. The scholarships will cover their tuition through graduation.
TBA Helping Hands Foundation has been in the spirit of giving back since it’s founding over a year ago. On their Women’s Day, they issued 15 scholarships complemented by bus passes and free daycare for mothers who were displaced and victims of domestic violence.
“Nothing is more important to me than giving back. Yes, my schools are the most affordable in comparison. But, I know there are some people who can’t afford it. I want to give them a chance,” says Thompson.
Thompson is a living witness that the beauty industry is a lucrative career that allows one to take care of their family, travel and make others feel good about themselves. Read what she has to say.
Tell us about your organization.
TBA Helping Hands Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that gives scholarships to those who can’t afford to attend Touched by an Angel Beauty School, connect people to organizations that will assist them in receiving their high school diploma and GED, and giving them the skills to develop a trade and one day become an entrepreneur.
How do you choose scholarship recipients?
Scholarship recipients are chosen based on their story. They must submit a short essay on why they feel they deserve the scholarship. Also, one can nominate a person that they feel would be deserving of the scholarship. The website is touchedbyanangelbeautyschool.com.
What prompted you to offer this scholarship?
When I was younger I didn’t have much so I always knew that I wanted to make sure no one else would go without. I really love helping others, especially in my community. I wanted to make sure that everyone that truly wants to attend beauty school had that opportunity.
Do you mentor entrepreneurs in this industry on topics like marketing, finance, professionalism? If yes, please expound.
Yes, I do mentor others in all of those areas. I have mentored people that have successfully opened their own salons. As a matter of fact, I will be teaching a class focused on becoming a salon owner, beauty school owner, and maximizing your income in the hair industry on Aug. 14 at the IRIE Mega Beauty Expo in Daytona Beach. I also mentor my students daily and teach them the business side of the industry.
What are some of your success stories?
I’m in the process of writing a book depicting my journey. I came from living in a shack to being a single mother on welfare, and as the creator of the $50 weaves I am now an owner of multiple salons and beauty schools. A lot of my students that I have mentored are now salon owners as well. My first set of students will be graduating in August and now the Touched by an Angel Beauty School MLK location has joined forces with Job Corps.
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