Love comes in many forms. There’s the traditional tale of person meets person and happiness ensues, but then there are the mysterious occurrences that may present an unexpected match — and possibly change a life’s trajectory.
Priscilla Smith escaped a dark past to become a pioneer. She fell in love with the beauty industry and recognized its potential to help others.
This led to the creation of Passion’s Story, a registered nonprofit geared toward helping young at-risk women find a purpose and build a career in the beauty industry.
“This program started in my salon,” Smith said. “I’ve been doing this for seven years, developing young people and teaching them how to use the beauty industry as an outlet.”
Smith, who owns Paixão in Albuquerque, explained that she wanted to separate her business from her desire to help others in order for it to have broader impact.
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Smith said Passion’s Story’s mission is to give recent beauty school graduates opportunities to succeed, especially vulnerable women who have had past bouts with homelessness or sex trafficking.
“It is definitely something in need right now,” Smith said. “Giving them a tangible solution with something that is a very fast way to earn a sustainable income.”
Passion’s Story is partnering with other nonprofits such as the New Mexico Dream Center and Strength Health and Empowerment, as well as beauty schools and the foster care system.
From 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, the nonprofit is hosting its Galentine’s Day Gala fundraiser at the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid to celebrate young women and promote the movement. The event will include a dinner, silent auction, fashion show and international and local speakers. Proceeds will go to Passion’s Story.
The nonprofit aims to provide women with the skills to thrive in the beauty industry through mentorships in career preparation, and entrepreneurship.
“The first year after you graduate beauty school is when you’re going to learn if you’re going to make it or break it,” Smith explained. “There’s not an easy way to create or build a clientele.”
The idea for Passion’s Story was based on an unsettling connection.
“I have my own story of abuse and whatnot growing up as a teenager,” Smith said.
She said, “I started seeing how some of the people that have worked for me had a history of trauma, and I started really paying attention to how the beauty industry was allowing them to heal.”
Smith said she overcame her struggles, but didn’t initially enter the beauty industry. She was in property management for 13 years, but her experience helped her gain the knowledge needed to pursue her own ventures.
“I always knew that one day I would own my own business, I just didn’t really know what,” she said. “I always had a thing for nails … and that’s where the journey started.”
After graduating from beauty school she soon encountered the issues that come with being a novice in the field.
She started by renting booths, but expenses outweighed a consistent cash flow. She then understood her purpose within the industry. She said she opened Paixão with the intent of hiring graduating beauty school students.
“I know what it feels like to be stuck and not have any resources, not have any options, and having that fear … because you don’t know how to ask for help,” Smith said.
Smith said her goal is to have a nonprofit salon open by the end of this year.
“The cause truly is going to change the culture of the beauty industry,” she said.
This content was originally published here.
