Avia Collinder, Outlook Writer

Monica Shakespeare, hairdresser.

In the fast-paced world of black hair design, the name Monica Shakespeare is as well defined as freshly shampooed hair, gleaming and fixed in holding spray.

The humble Jamaican hairdresser now owns the processing company - Monique's Hair Company - that distributes hair to women of colour in the United States, the Caribbean, China, and India.

The teenager who could hardly find the fees to attend Leon's School of Beauty Culture in Kingston has made her mark in the career she has always loved.

Monica Shakespeare was born in the district of Belmount in St. James where she was raised by her by her grandparents. The fourth of six children - three girls and three boys - she has only a dim recollection of her birth parents.

She recalls, "I first met my father at the age of 13, and the first time I met my mother I was in my early 20s."

She grew up under the care of grandparents who provided plenty to eat and loving care. But, in that area of St. James, career opportunities were limited. According to Monica, "The first true opportunity I ever had was to become a hairstylist."

As she remembers it, she was sitting with her aunt one day when she asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up. Monica's response was that she wanted to become a hairdresser. She now reflects, "I have always believed that hair was one of the most revered parts of a woman."

Even as a teenager, Monica could see that being a cosmetologist/hairstylist "was a blend of an artistry, interaction (with those who use your services) and business."

But, in those early days the only style to do was press and curl. Monica yearned for the opportunity to learn the true art of hair design.

While she was reading the The Star one day, Monica saw an advertisement about Leon's School of Beauty Culture. "That was the only school an aspiring cosmetologist even thought about back then," Monica recalls.

The teenager wrote a letter to the school expressing her interest, and within two weeks she received an acceptance letter. But, there was a big problem. She had no way of paying for tuition.

She was still living in the country and her grandparents could not afford to pay for the education.

Monica comments, as she remembers those times, "If you want something badly enough you will strive to get it."

Her grandparents explained that if she wanted to go to school, she should find her mother and ask her to pay for the tuition. So, the young girl set off for Kingston in search of her mother. After months, she finally found her stepfather who directed her to her mother.

Monica recalls, "Even though I hardly knew her, I explained my career goal and she agreed to pay for my education."

After graduating from Leon's School of Beauty Culture, Monica Shakespeare worked for Dulcie of New York for five years.

It was her very first job and she saved and invested most of her income until she began to buy salon equipment one piece at a time.

In the winter of 1979, after working for five years, she came back to Jamaica to open her first salon at 22 Central Plaza in Kingston; it still exists today.

The past 27 years of the business has witnessed an expansion in her business and growth in clientele, including many musicians.

She has also moved into hair processing, that is, hair cut from Asian women or other people who grow their hair. The hair is put through a boiling and chemical process to make hair in different texture, that is, more suitable for black women.

"In the 1990s, after living in Jamaica and travelling around the world," she states, "I began to realise how confined the hair industry was in catering to black women's needs. Travelling allowed me to recognise how extensively controlled the black hair industry is. Asian and Caucasian companies regulate the black hair industry, from products to hairpieces."

Travelling to various hair shows and researching as much as she could about the industry and networking with Jamaican and American alike, who shared the same interest in the industry as herself opened the doors to a new opportunity.

After learning as much about the business of hair processing as she could, Monica decided to go to the United States to expand her salon and open a hair processing and distribution factory.

After some trial and error and collaborating with various people, she developed a processing company that now distributes hair to women throughout America and the Caribbean.

She states, "As I met and serviced more women my passion and dedication grew. The hair company has allowed me to service women of colour around the world and work with suppliers in countries like Korea, China, and India. I have learned that in any business people are the main ingredient."

The businesswomen also finds it essential to work with younger people. "They keep me alert." She also uses her experience to teach them. "Together we develop my vision and work with our global suppliers in hope of enhancing the black hair industry."

For Monica Shakespeare, developing a factory is time-consuming but it still allows her, she says, time to indulge in other activities, such as culinary and African dance classes.

Exercising at the gym keeps her energised and motivated. She adds, "I have always believed in the concept of God first and family and friends second and business third."

One of her main priorities remains that of developing young minds, especially her daughter's.

"My advice to her and all young people is to make sure that you have passion and vision in whatever path chosen. And, above all things, one must consistently possess loyalty and gratitude."