Caroline Stahl (@carolinedidmyhair), once doubted if professional beauty, her lifelong dream, held a place for her. Today, she is one of the recipients of the 2019 Leo Passage NEXTGEN Scholarship. The scholarship celebrates the intersection of hair, fashion and artistry, while honoring the legacy of Leo Passage. Each winner will be celebrated during the 2019 Beauty Changes Lives Experience on April 19, during America’s Beauty Show.

From Doubter to Doer

Caroline, whoworks at Jamison Shaw Hairdressers in Atlanta, found her path to career contentment has not been a straight one.

After leaving rural Kentucky for Portland, OR to begin work at what she thought was her 'dream salon' she was asked to resign. As she questioned whether beauty really was her calling, and consciously committed to reflecting on and regaining her confidence, she worked at a small salon where she did lots of cuts but very little color.  So in her spare time, she practiced balayage on mannequins.

After a year, she was ready for another move, this time to Atlanta, GA, and there she found a salon where she really, really, REALLY wanted to work. But seeing the caliber of talent, Caroline doubted she was qualified. Casting aside these fears, she applied anyway...and you know what happened next. Today, Caroline appears on platforms at beauty shows around the world teaching balyage and cutting. “Beauty has taught me fearlessness, confidence, tenacity and purpose,” says Caroline. "This industry has taught me to never give up." Caroline will travel to Chicago in April during America’s Beauty Show for a week of advanced education and a professional photo shoot.

About the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation: With a mission to elevate, educate and empower, Beauty Changes Lives is uniting the industry and building awareness of the extraordinary career opportunities in the beauty, wellness and massage therapy industries. Learn more at www.beautychangeslives.org