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Few of us were working on our careers as children. But for Leia Love, she knew what her path would be early on. Forbidden by her mother from painting her nails as a little girl, Love got creative, sticking removable tape on her nails and painting them beautiful colors. This marked the beginning of her path to a career in cosmetology. Before graduating from high school, the Akron, Ohio native earned her cosmetology license and from there, studied business and marketing at the University of Toledo in preparation for salon ownership. Now in business for nine years, Love is the owner of Leia Love’s Hair and Nail Salon.
Love, along with her three stylists, serves the Akron community as what she calls “head-to-toe beauty pros.” She’s built her salon as a one-stop shop, where clients can not only get their hair styled, but can also indulge in a manicure and pedicure, and get a massage.
Love says her business has been successful. But while servicing her clients, she noticed a void.
“I really enjoyed making women look and feel good, but I found that a lot of them were really suffering in trying to juggle all the stressors of life, being a mom, wife, friend, community member and more. I can only do so much physically if they’re still struggling internally,” the 35-year-old told What You Need to Know.
Love said she knows that just being able to talk and have a safe space is all some clients need, but they could also benefit by having real tools to use at home. This epiphany led to the creation of S.H.E. Suite and her mission to normalize holistic care by putting it into a place where her clients already go. The wellness arm of her enterprise, which stands for “Self Help is Embraced,” provides women with the tools needed to balance their full lives. S.H.E. Suite offers yoga classes led by certified teachers, financial literacy classes, and co-working spaces to new entrepreneurs. Mental health professionals will also be available soon for her clientele.
In addition to building upon her success, Love says she wants to give back by providing training and mentoring to cosmetology students, and eventually start her own school.
Love is no doubt a modern-day Madame CJ Walker who offers not only hair treatment but also mind treatment. “My main desire is to see every woman love who she see’s in her reflection,” Love said. “We want to offer the holistic piece for women of color, in particular, so they’re able to not only look good, but be good on the inside.”
For more information on Love’s salon and wellness services, go to leialove.com.
