Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
It’s never too late to realize your dream – something Sherry Alderman, of Hillsboro, recently learned when she received her degree in cos- metology from New River Community and Technical College in Lewisburg.
Alderman always knew she wanted to be a hair stylist and now she is, at Jeanie’s Stylin’ Salon in Hillsboro.
“When I was young, all my friends came to my house, and I did their makeup and hair,” she said. “By the time I was out of school, I was cutting my whole family’s hair. Then their friends would come. I had no idea what I was doing, but I loved doing it.”
Alderman became a mom to Betty and Thomas McMillion, and put hair styling on hold for several years – until she took her daughter to New River to sign up for classes.
“I was there to sign up my daughter and she’s like, ‘Mom, they’ve got cosmetology,’ and I was like, ‘I’m too old for that,’ and she said, ‘you’re never too old,’” Alderman recalled.
With her daughter’s encouragement, Alderman signed up for classes and officially graduated in December.
“It was exciting,” she said of school. “It was very exhausting. I’m glad to have that part of my life done.”
Just a few weeks later, Alderman was talking to Jeanie Sharp at church and Jeanie offered her a spot at her shop – Jeanie’s Stylin’ Salon.
“We just kind of talked about it at church,” Alderman said. “She was wondering if I was going to work in Lewisburg and I said, ‘I’m kind of tired of the long drive. I’d like to stay closer to home,’ so she said, ‘come on up.’”
Along with offering hair cuts, styling, dyes and highlights, Alderman also does manicures, pedicures and facial waxing.
“I don’t do acrylics,” she said. “I do have an organic type of polish that is virtually almost chemical free that is safe for children. I’m going to be carrying a line of organic hair products for those conscientious people who don’t want the crazy chemicals.”
On top of what she already does, Alderman hopes to add to her education and the services she provides.
“I do want to take some more barbering classes so that I can perfect some skills there,” she said. “I think I’m going to try a couple days of offering some really reasonable men’s hair cuts to practice. I also love doing facials. I had a lot of returning clients for that. I’d love to offer those, too.”
Alderman is at Jeanie’s Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. She takes walk-ins as well as appointments.
Call 304-653-4881 for more information or to make an appointment.
Suzanne Stewart may be contacted at sastewart@pocahontastimes.com