We’re all about saving over here. Saving our time, our money, our breath...and especially our energy! This is especially true when it comes to doing our hair; honestly, that task can be a workout. Madeline Holly-Carothers definitely understood that struggle, and like many Black women, she decided to create her own solution. A Curl’s Dream Hair is the business that Madeline started (based in Charlotte, North Carolina) to help Black women rock amazing hairstyles by providing gorgeous wigs and hair extensions. Self-love may look different for everyone, but there’s no denying that it’s a beautiful look on anyone. By practicing intentional gratitude and learning to find lessons in losses, Madeline wants to encourage women to never give up on pursuing what brings their heart joy. Self-love is a practice in itself, and the more you participate in it on a daily basis, the more you’ll reap its benefits. The same way you practice new hairstyles, find new ways to love yourself daily! Thank you for sharing with us this crucial lesson, Madeline. We’d love for you to meet Madeline, Queen of Hair Extensions!

What inspired you to start your business? What motivates you to keep going?: I was inspired to begin my business when I began searching for hair (extensions) options for myself that were affordable and felt like they were made for me. My “day job” as a full time social worker is extremely demanding and has required me to really focus on self-care and since hair has always been a big part of me, I had to find an easy solution to marry the two. Then A Curl’s Dream was born, a company dedicated to providing hair solutions for women of color (truly for us, by us). I love my company because I know that hair is a form of self care for all women, but we don’t have always the time to practice it, so being able to add in extensions that match my hair texture or wear a wig created with me in mind helps me cut down on time in my day-to-day routine as well continue to express my individuality through my hair. It’s hard to explain, but A Curl’s Dream started when I wasn’t sure if I had enough energy or time to create anything and somehow it’s also what keeps me going.

How do you create the life you want?: 

I create the life I want in three ways (1) I practice intentional gratitude, (2) I don’t give up-EVER, and (3) I try to find the lesson in everything. 

By intentional gratitude, I mean I make a serious effort to be consciously grateful, to take inventory of the goodness in my life-even when things aren’t perfect and even when I may not hit the targets or goals I’ve set for myself...It’s not easy, but it really doEs improve the quality of my life. It reminds me that there is joy everywhere I look-even when it’s especially hard to find. Second, I don’t give up. I might take breaks, I might sit out, I might have to regroup, but just giving on myself or my dream isn’t an option for me. If something fails, I try again. If that fails, I try something else. I get frustrated and want to quit, but, for me, it’s better to fail knowing I gave it my absolute all than to quit just before something great could’ve happened. Finally, I try to find the lesson in everything. Now, I don’t always realize this lesson right away...sometimes it takes a little-or a long-while, but 

I try to find what I’m supposed to learn in every win and every loss. 

All these things help me to balance my business with my career, my relationships, and they help me design the life I want to have with where I am right now.

What makes you HUMAN?: Hmmm...honestly, my mistakes make me human. I can be a perfectionist (I’m working on it, okay?) and that sometimes can hold me back from being vulnerable, so I have to make a conscience effort to let people into said mistakes or failures. I’m most human when I realize I’m wrong. 

I’m most human when I look back and think “i could’ve done that differently” or “i could have said this differently”

but then again, I think that’s what makes us all human- our mistakes, our missteps...I think that we reveal our most human selves when we acknowledge that we aren’t perfect....or at least that’s what I think about myself.

What's three things you want us to know about self-love/wellness?: (1) 

Self-love is a PRACTICE. Like working out or cleaning or cooking, it’s an action that isn’t subconscious. It’s an action we have to choose. I’ve learned that it has to be consistent to yield the best results.

(2) Self-love looks different for everyone and there’s no one-size fit all.

(3) Hair is a form of self love. it’s something about being happy with your hair - or lack thereof for my sisters who have shaved or loss their hair- that’s truly powerful. Being comfortable and happy with your hair is really a source of power. Be creative with it, find what you love and see how it positively influences your life.

What's something we can incorporate today to LIVE LIFE WELL?:: Intentional gratitude. I can’t sing it’s praises enough. You can start by giving yourself a goal each day- today- to list 3 things you’re grateful for. It can be anything from being grateful for the sound of the rain that helped me sleep last night to the love I feel when I’m around my husband. Anything, big or small, just do it. I swear it will help improve the perspective you have on your life and the overall quality of it.

Email Address: info@acurlsdreamahair.com

Website: http://Www.acurlsdreamhair.com

Social media handles?: IG Business - @acurlsdream

IG Personal - @gottabemaddy