Meet Elisha Ashford | Cosmetologist | Foster Care Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elisha Ashford and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elisha, what’s your definition for success?
Success to me has less to do with the materialistic attributes of the world and more to do with the quality of life through God. In scripture, the Beatitudes (located in Matthew 5) highlights the true meaning of being blessed, which includes but isn’t limited to; Modeling humility, showing the upmost grace, navigating life with purity towards humanity, and building a life with peace as the foundation. I would identify these key components as what’s truly considered successful and these principals are the cornerstone of my mission to society.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I would love to discuss my career!

Firstly, when a client sits in my salon chair I pride myself on creating a genuine connection. I never allow a client to leave the salon without being poured into spiritually (incorporating Jesus in conversations) and emotionally! When it comes to the beauty industry, my purpose isn’t just to physically maximize women’s beauty but to watch them leave the salon as their BEST selves, and achieving that can only happen through Christ!

I currently just completed 1500 hours of cosmetology school which marks a new milestone in my career.
I could not have committed fully to this field if I knew I didn’t belong but I was simply being obedient to the Lord’s instruction.

The journey was not the easiest, but I gracefully accepted the call and the challenges because I knew the reward would be far greater than the hard work it took to complete school.

Prior to starting cosmetology school, I graduated high school a year early to start the journey of becoming a licensed cosmetologist and that in itself was challenging. I would go to school during the day and return to school at night to complete all of my necessary credits. Upon my high-school graduation, that’s when I officially applied to Paul Mitchell Cosmetology School and was an enrolled student a few months later.
At the start of my cosmetology education, I was 17 and still in foster care. I was determined to trust God fully and surrender my career to Him in order to see fruitfulness manifest in its entirety. I knew I wanted greater than what I’ve seen in my family and the only way I knew to do that was to be consistent and fully determined to finish school, regardless of any stumbling blocks. I want my story to be a testament of God’s faithfulness. He is a covenant keeping God, and if He didn’t forget about me when it felt like everyone else did, He hasn’t forgotten about you.

Statistically, 55.3% of foster youth graduated high school in 2020, yet the graduation rate for other students in 2020 was 87.3%. If the reader could take away one thing that I said, I would want them to know, its possible to do more than expected. Although, my circumstances didn’t look promising, I finished school regardless and I remained faithful to God at an early age! If I could do it with all of the odds stacked, you can as well.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My best friend would HAVE to come to Divine Life Church! Divine Life is an atmosphere filled with worship, praise, and an all around amazing experience to encounter Jesus. We would have to make that the first stop!

Lastly, I would take my plus one to the Pyramid. There’s this lookout balcony on the top of the Bass Pro Shops that shows the entire city. It’s serene and the view highlights the Mississippi River and the Memphis bridge. It’s truly one of the most beautiful spots in Memphis!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First, I would love to honor Voyager! This is my third time being interviewed by you all and it means a lot! The work you all contribute to the community as a whole doesn’t go unnoticed. God has blessed me with such a honorable village who has walked life out with me to the fullest. Although, I can’t pinpoint everyone, these two marvelous ladies deserve a honorable mention! :

I would love to thank and honor a mother figure, mentor, and therapist all in one; Her name is Joanna and life would not be the same without her! She is full of wisdom and transparency and has made this journey full of light.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elishaashfordd/?igsh=M2FwNmp3d3RyMWl2&utm_source=qr