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Meet Trailblazer Millie Worthy

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Millie Worthy.

Millie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am from Detroit, MI where at least one person in every household does hair, nails, etc., so I feel like I was born to do hair. My mother received her cosmetology license in high school and showed me a lot when I was younger. I was shampooing my own hair around age 7/8. I braided my sister hair when I was around age five. My very first client was my cousin, I received $10 to braid her hair when we were about age 10/11, lol. My 5th-grade yearbook listed “hair” as my hobby, so being a hairstylist has been the only thing that hasn’t changed in my life. Fast forward to age 18 when I moved to AZ and began beauty school at Regency Beauty Institute (although I couldn’t finish), I was able to finish in 2012 and became licensed one month later (one of the best days of my life!). I immediately began working one month after receiving my license at SmartStyles salon inside Walmart which wasn’t the plan but I was so excited to get work so soon. Unfortunately, it didn’t last long due to a miscommunication with management and I was fired on my day off (literally) and was informed by a client, the manager didn’t even let me know. Three years later, I opened my salon suite, Styles by MadameBleu and have been in business for four years (in August).

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There have definitely been challenges. When I originally began hair school in 2008, after three months, I had to leave because of a financial aid issue. My options were to pay $1800 a month or to immediately clock out. It took three years before I was able to afford to go back in 2011. The time in between was very hard for me. There were lots of tears and sad days because I could not understand why that happened to me, and why I was not able to do the one thing that I loved. And then, being fired on my day off made me feel really bad and insecure. I felt as if I was not good enough because I was the youngest person in the salon at that time with the least amount of professional experience and unfortunately my coworkers were not understanding of this or helpful. So, it made me feel as if hair was not what I was supposed to do. In the three years between being fired from my 1st job and opening my salon suite, I applied for multiple jobs and was never hired although I knew I was qualified. Of course, during this time, I always did hair and tried to build my clientele as much as I could.

Currently, the hardest part about owning a salon suite is staying busy. Although each year my business grows I feel like it’s not growing @ the rate I want it to. Because I also have a bachelors in business management and entrepreneurship, I had knowledge of as far as owning a business so it was not that difficult for me to start. Figuring out how to make social media work for me is the current challenge, lol.

My advice would be to do the proper research before starting any business venture. A degree in business may not be a requirement, but education in the field where you want to work is required to be successful. A lot of people think owning a business is easy and the truth is it is not. There will be days where you will want to quit but my advice would be to stay strong, stay motivated and remember why you started. Being an entrepreneur does not get easier but, eventually, you will see the fruits of your labor. DON’T GIVE UP!

Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I specialize in healthy hair and all phases of hair care. Currently, my top service is hair extensions and I also have a certification in hair extensions. I say I specialize in healthy hair because that is the goal and main focus. Unhealthy hair is a pet peeve of mine, lol. I also color hair, cut hair, braid and treat clients natural hair.

I am mostly known for my hair extensions and shampoo/scalp massage. I love when my clients fall asleep at the shampoo bowl. For me, the shampoo is the most important part of the service and my personal favorite so I want to make sure it’s a great experience for my clients.

I’m most proud of my knowledge. My clients know I will be able to answer their questions and they trust my judgment. I have even created a YouTube series on my channel (MadameBleu) that shares the knowledge I have to assist women in reaching their hair goals.

I feel what sets me apart from others is my passion and love for the beauty industry. This passion forces me to do my best and always improve. I’m always studying and practicing my craft to make sure I provide the best service to my clients.

We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
I feel like the biggest barriers in female leadership is lack of respect. For some reason, people do not see women as having the ability to lead and to be successful at it. I think because of this we have to work twice as hard just to get people to listen to what we have to say and to trust and believe in us.

In my industry specifically, alot of women do not want to work with one another. A lot of people in this industry are afraid to share their knowledge and for some reason, women are always pitted against each other and because of this a lot of us tear each other down more than work together.

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