Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Stephanie Cortina of PEORIA

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Stephanie Cortina. Check out our conversation below.

Stephanie, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
As a lot of you can relate, its extremely easy to lose ourselves in the midst of a busy life.

However, even in the middle of motherhood, business, leadership, and faith I still try to find time to reconnect with the version of me that’s not just surviving, but thriving. Its not only about joy, its about soul alignment and being still with God!

As a mother, quality time with my children can always make me lose track of time and find myself. They don’t care about my title they just want me present, Kids have the ability to pull you out of your head and back into your heart.
The joy of just being, without fixing or leading- that’s healing.

As a salon owner, I lose track of time when I remember I’m not just working, I’M BUILDING !
Creating transformation behind the chair is extremely rewarding.
Its not the style, but the shift. When you turn the chair and see your clients eyes light up, not because of vanity but because they see themselves again. It brings instant gratification.

Last but not least, as a mentor, pouring into young stylist who truly get it,
When your mentoring someone who reminds you of your younger self – hungry, creative, and needing a word of life, your not just teaching, your speaking purpose. That exchange? That energy? You could go for hours,

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Stephanie Cortina. I am the proud owner of Adorn Beauty Salon, CEO of the Protege Beauty Group, a board certified educator and beauty mentor.
I am a dedicated single mother, licensed cosmetologist with over 20 years of experience in the beauty industry, and have ran a successful salon for the past 12 years. My journey has been rooted in passion, resilience, and the desire to uplift others.
In addition to running my salon, I founded a mentorship program designed to empower aspiring beauty professionals by providing guidance, skill-building, and real-world industry knowledge. My mission is to inspire confidence, both in clients I serve and the future professionals I mentor.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My relationship with God has been the foundation of how I see myself. Through him, I’ve learned my worth, found my strength and embraced my purpose. This relationship shaped my identity the most, it reminds me of who I am, even when the world tries to tell me otherwise, gives me clarity, confidence, and brings me peace.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me what success never could. Patience, resilience, empathy, and the power of starting over multiple times with nothing but faith. Reminder, I single handedly started a business in 2013 with nothing but $300 and a vision. It was never easy but I welcomed every hardship and I am grateful for it now because it shaped me into who I am today. I am strong, powerful, independent. It taught me to keep going when nothing was easy, and to value the journey, not just the destination. I believe the suffering taught me to grow, it built my character, deepened my faith and gave me strength I never knew I had.
While success celebrates the outcome and shows the rewards, Suffering shapes the soul.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My friends would say I value what really counts in life. God, my children, family, love, happiness and unwavering loyalty. These are the things that fill my life with meaning. everything else is secondary

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I have aways said, your not doing anything with your god given gift until your using it to give back to others. I truly believe I was placed in this industry for a reason, through cosmetology and mentorship, I am living out my purpose. This is not just a job to me. I never wake up and feel like I don’t want to go to work. This is my calling something that brings me joy, I found my purpose in making others feel beautiful and building others up. I am doing what i was born to do.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: ADORN_BEAUTY_SALON protegebeautygroup