THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF HER LIFE.

The day after Christmas, for most people, is the day for taking down holiday decorations, getting back to work, or joining a gym. It was that way for Shadia McCullough too, until about a year and a half ago when her grandmother died on December 26th. While most of us were gearing up for New Year’s Eve or sweeping up pine needles, Shadia was searching her soul and figuring out a way to move on. She never believed that she could feel good about that date again.

The following September, Shadia enrolled in school at La’ James International College in Davenport. She did so with the support of her family. They knew that cosmetology is a great career choice for people that want to run their own business or need the freedom to make their own schedule.
“My Grandma was always behind me 100 percent,” Shadia said. “She owned a wig shop. She supported me a lot {in my decision to go back to school}.”

Shadia comes from a family that has a long history of careers in the beauty industry including both her Grandmothers, and she wants to follow in their footsteps.

“I’m a bold person,” Shadia says as she tells of her dreams of opening her own salon. Her dream entails a grand opening ceremony complete with red carpet, red roses, a red ribbon cutting ceremony, news crews from local radio and TV stations.

Shadia knows that all of this won’t happen at once.
“I’ll probably rent out of someone’s shop at the start,” she tells us. But when she does open her own shop, “My Grandma will be there in spirit.”

Shadia’s slated to complete her education and graduate with a cosmetology degree on December 26th, 2015, if she does, it will be a bittersweet day.

The day after Christmas might never be the same for Shadia. But this December 26th, with her diploma in hand, at least it’ll be better than it otherwise would have been. And it will definitely be the first day of the rest of her life, and her life is starting to look like it’s going to be a pretty good thing.