Meet Shemicka Johnson, CEO of Glam Squad Hair, producer of Bosses Link Up: Business, Beauty and Hair Brunch (ATL Edition).
Tell us about the tour.
Glam Squad Hair Bosses Link Up Brunch is an all out women’s empowerment tour. Our mission is to link like-minded female entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs to reach their fullest girl boss potential. Alongside entrepreneurship, we will touch on topics including faith, fashion and of course all things beauty. There will be a celebrity panel but also a lovely brunch will be provided, a shopping experience with vendors and this time we have social media sensation and comedian Ms. Shirleen come and give the ladies some kind words of encouragement. Our celebrity panelists include DJ Traci Steele, host; Brandi V, professional makeup artist; Akira Dixon, credit coach; Tiffany Williams, CEO of Eye Candy Creations; Dr. Rhonda Travitt, founder and pastor of Restoring the Years Global Ministries; Tamika Gibson, celebrity hairstylist; Dayna Thomas, entrepreneur/entertainment lawyer and JoJo, celebrity fashion stylist and reality star. The event is sponsored by Sheen Magazine and Empower Inc. Magazine and powered by our PR firm, MayLee Media. I am very excited to link all my boss ladies up.
What sets it apart from other women’s empowerment brunches?
Well, I’ve been to other brunches and I truly believe we seek out people in all aspects of entrepreneurship, not just celebrities, so that way you are guaranteed to take something with where you are; whether it is a startup business or you have been in business for 10 years. I think creating an educational and informative panel is very important. Our #BossesLinkUpBeautyBrunch movement is birthing a purpose.
What is your definition of a girl boss?
A girl boss is a woman that makes it happen by any means necessary. A woman with true ambition and hustle to have her own is the definition of a girl boss, in my book. A girl boss is on a mission to carry out her purpose and help others do the same.
What is your background in entrepreneurship?
As the CEO of Glam Squad Hair, I also own a tax company, real estate business and a car dealership. My story begins as my husband and I opened our very own tax practice in 2007. We started working out of our car the first year and we only had 50 customers. The second year we had 200 and in 2009, we opened our first store front and that year we had 400 customers and since then everything just took off. We decided to open up a car lot because it gave us an opportunity to serve our customers another needed product. Once the successes of my other two companies made way, extensions and weaves started to gain popularity, so Glam Squad Hair was birthed in 2011. Originally called Quality Remy Hair, we did a brand makeover in 2014 and changed the name. I have always had a passion for beauty and hair, so Glam Squad Hair is my way of walking in my purpose.
What are the titles of three of the last books you’ve read that you recommend to other girl bosses?
Of course I had to read GIRL BOSS by Sophia Amoruso. I also dug into Rejection and Rebellion: The Twin Towers by Dr. Rhonda Travitt. This book allowed me to deal with Shemicka to better myself to become not only a better entrepreneur but a better person as a whole. Mindset, The New Psychology of Success is a good read, as well. It touches on business but also parenting and relationships.
Why do you feel it’s important for girl bosses to “link up”?
It’s important because for me I learned everything on my own. #BossesLinkUpBeautyBrunch gives other women a chance to network and get the answers to help on their journey to or in entrepreneurship. As I mentioned before, it’s more than just an event. We want to give women a platform to come for advice and the tools they need to be a successful girl boss and have fun at the same time.
If someone offered a tour like yours when you were younger, would it have made a difference in your life? How so?
Oh my gosh, yes! With social media and seminars being so mainstream now, I felt I would have been further along than where I am now. It’s informative information like this that I wish I would have had in the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey and plus it’s fun. I like to be creative and knowledgeable, not restricted by guidelines, black suits or stale doughnuts in the break room. Girl bosses are exciting, not boring.
If there was one thing in the world you could change, what would it be?
I would honestly like to unite the Black community: men and women. If we could just support each other more, we could do way more than what we are doing now.
The brunch will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016 from noon to 4 p.m. at Blue Mark Studios. For more information, please visit glamsquadhair.com.
