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November 20, 2009 Cartersville, Georgia
LOCAL NEWS
Wilma Findley pursues her passion for 37 years
Wilma Findley works with Cass High student Kristina Bailey, who participates in the school’s work release program. “I try to help the young people choose a good profession. I encourage people to go to school — go back to school,” says Findley. SKIP BUTLER/skip.butler@daily-tribune.com
The year was 1972; Richard Nixon was president, the Watergate scandal unfolded, the Vietnam War raged on, Apollo 16 and 17 landed men on the moon and Black September terrorized the Munich Summer Olympics.
That same year, great strides were taken for women's rights; the first women were allowed in the Boston Marathon, Helen Reddy released the song "I am Woman" and Wilma Findley opened the Beauty Center in the Cartersville Plaza Shopping Center.
As a single mother in the 1970s, Findley faced a number of unique challenges. The birth of her only child, Stacey, came the same year she bought the Beauty Center in 1972. She attributes her success and perseverance to the passion in her life.
"It takes a lot of work and dedication and you have to have passion for your business and passion for your family and passion for your church, and I just combined all three of them together and that's how I succeed as a female business person," Findley said.
Giving all credit to her faith, church family and a good babysitter, Findley exuded a positive and encouraging spirit as she looked back over the past 37 years of living and working in Cartersville.
"I couldn't have done it without the good Lord's help," Findley said.
Findley's key to business longevity is simple, giving testament to her work ethic.
"To have a successful business you have to come to work, open the doors in the morning and keep your regular hours," Findley said. "Just because you don't feel good, or you got something to do, you need to stay those hours because you don't ever know when those two people will come by that will make customers for life."
Findley is a Bartow County native. Born and raised in the Rydal area of north Bartow, she graduated from Cass High School in 1968 before attending North Georgia Technical and Vocational School in Clarkesville, now North Georgia Technical College.
Since attaining her diploma in cosmetology, Findley has continued her education through courses on hair styling as well as business courses at Coosa Valley Technical College, now a part of Northwestern Technical College; and North Metro Technical College, now a campus of Chattahoochee Technical College.
"I try to help the young people choose a good profession. I encourage people to go to school -- go back to school," Findley said.
Encouragement and advice is just another part of the job for Findley. As a hair stylist she compares her work to that of a counselor. Sometimes just listening to the problems of everyday life is her main role. Counting customers as friends, she expresses genuine concern over their misfortunes and joy in their triumphs. Expressing the bond she holds with customers, Findley notes that many have been customers for life, adding that she has even done work with funeral homes.
Service is also a large part of her life. She finds reward in helping others succeed. Finding their passion and realizing their potential is how Findley hopes to help young women.
"I've been mentoring either Cass High students or Cartersville High School students since 1985," Findley said.
After nearly four decades of business, the Beauty Center has been through recessions in the past. Although Findley admits that everyone is feeling the effects of the economy, she remains confident that she will survive the downturn.
"You don't find too many shops starting up now that the economy has gone down, but we manage to hold on," Findley said.
To cater to new trends and expand their offerings, the Beauty Center is now a full service salon, including massages, manicures and pedicures. The front half of the store offers a plentiful array of handbags and accessories.
Another unseen challenge that arises when in business for as many years as Findley is the loss of employees. Claiming the stylists as her own "children," Findley enjoys mentoring and training her employees as they make their start in the industry.
"I've seen a lot of hair dressers come and go in the last 25 or 30 years. Our business is changing," Findley said.
Those changes include corporate franchises which have been on the rise since Findley started her salon. Since 1972 she has cut hair in the Cartersville Plaza. As the only merchant to remain for that many years, Findley expressed great fondness for the downtown location.
As a female business owner, Findley has seen trends and businesses come and go but the Beauty Center still remains. Her explanation is hard work and determination.
"It's a full-time job and then some," Findley said.
The Beauty Center is at 220 Nelson St. in the Cartersville Plaza Shopping Center. Business hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information, call 770-382-5995.
That same year, great strides were taken for women's rights; the first women were allowed in the Boston Marathon, Helen Reddy released the song "I am Woman" and Wilma Findley opened the Beauty Center in the Cartersville Plaza Shopping Center.
As a single mother in the 1970s, Findley faced a number of unique challenges. The birth of her only child, Stacey, came the same year she bought the Beauty Center in 1972. She attributes her success and perseverance to the passion in her life.
"It takes a lot of work and dedication and you have to have passion for your business and passion for your family and passion for your church, and I just combined all three of them together and that's how I succeed as a female business person," Findley said.
Giving all credit to her faith, church family and a good babysitter, Findley exuded a positive and encouraging spirit as she looked back over the past 37 years of living and working in Cartersville.
"I couldn't have done it without the good Lord's help," Findley said.
Findley's key to business longevity is simple, giving testament to her work ethic.
"To have a successful business you have to come to work, open the doors in the morning and keep your regular hours," Findley said. "Just because you don't feel good, or you got something to do, you need to stay those hours because you don't ever know when those two people will come by that will make customers for life."
Findley is a Bartow County native. Born and raised in the Rydal area of north Bartow, she graduated from Cass High School in 1968 before attending North Georgia Technical and Vocational School in Clarkesville, now North Georgia Technical College.
Since attaining her diploma in cosmetology, Findley has continued her education through courses on hair styling as well as business courses at Coosa Valley Technical College, now a part of Northwestern Technical College; and North Metro Technical College, now a campus of Chattahoochee Technical College.
"I try to help the young people choose a good profession. I encourage people to go to school -- go back to school," Findley said.
Encouragement and advice is just another part of the job for Findley. As a hair stylist she compares her work to that of a counselor. Sometimes just listening to the problems of everyday life is her main role. Counting customers as friends, she expresses genuine concern over their misfortunes and joy in their triumphs. Expressing the bond she holds with customers, Findley notes that many have been customers for life, adding that she has even done work with funeral homes.
Service is also a large part of her life. She finds reward in helping others succeed. Finding their passion and realizing their potential is how Findley hopes to help young women.
"I've been mentoring either Cass High students or Cartersville High School students since 1985," Findley said.
After nearly four decades of business, the Beauty Center has been through recessions in the past. Although Findley admits that everyone is feeling the effects of the economy, she remains confident that she will survive the downturn.
"You don't find too many shops starting up now that the economy has gone down, but we manage to hold on," Findley said.
To cater to new trends and expand their offerings, the Beauty Center is now a full service salon, including massages, manicures and pedicures. The front half of the store offers a plentiful array of handbags and accessories.
Another unseen challenge that arises when in business for as many years as Findley is the loss of employees. Claiming the stylists as her own "children," Findley enjoys mentoring and training her employees as they make their start in the industry.
"I've seen a lot of hair dressers come and go in the last 25 or 30 years. Our business is changing," Findley said.
Those changes include corporate franchises which have been on the rise since Findley started her salon. Since 1972 she has cut hair in the Cartersville Plaza. As the only merchant to remain for that many years, Findley expressed great fondness for the downtown location.
As a female business owner, Findley has seen trends and businesses come and go but the Beauty Center still remains. Her explanation is hard work and determination.
"It's a full-time job and then some," Findley said.
The Beauty Center is at 220 Nelson St. in the Cartersville Plaza Shopping Center. Business hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information, call 770-382-5995.
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