Women of Beauty: Morgan WillhiteFirst job in beauty: Assistant at Los Olas Beauty, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Licensed: Cosmetology school, Keene, NH

Three highlights of your career:

1. The day that the Ouidad team came to the salon in Florida to train me to master the art of curly hair. This was my opportunity to branch out as my own stylist by doing this new cutting edge cutting technique for curly hair. After 19 years of struggling with my own hair, my confidence changed overnight!

2. Ouidad offering me a job at her NYC salon. A smalltown girl moving to the fashion mecca of the world My dream was coming true.

3. After working at the Ouidad salon in NYC for over 5 yrs, I was offered the position to move to LA to open the new Ouidad salon. I paid my dues. I had worked hard and showed my artistic ability. I was now promoted to the artistic director and lead stylist at the Ouidad salon in Santa Monica, CA. It was a wonderful feeling to be handed such a large responsibility.

Beauty legend you respect: There is truly one woman who I owe everything to. It is my mentor, Ouidad. She is one of the smartest business women I have ever met. She has built an empire for curly hair. She gives her heart and soul to the success of her business. She gives women the ambition to become successful. She saw something special in me, and kindly took me under her wing. She gave me opportunities that I had only dreamed about.

Choose beauty because: In this economy, I believe that beauty is the last thing cut out of the budget. People will always need a haircut, always want gray covered.

Tip: Fashion evolves, and so should you as a stylist.

Quote or mantra: Watch and learn.

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