We were lucky to catch up with Anna Bondele recently and have shared our conversation below.

Anna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

Everytime someone asks me how I started doing hair, I laugh inside because it’s truly a funny miraculous story. I was about 10 years old and a lady that lived in my apartments I would usually see her on my way to school, one day after school she stopped me to ask me to do her hair, my 10 year old brain thought is she okay? But out loud I just said I actually don’t know how to braid, yet she insisted that I do her hair, I agreed after so many back and forth that as soon as I returned home I began to pray, I don’t really remember the prayer I do remember saying “God please I love you let this hair come out good” the anticipated day came and I braided her hair as best as I remember from when I was about 6 years old watching people do hair as I finished and glanced at the work I was in absolute shambles because it didn’t look right yet she paid me $50 as a 10 year old that was money back then I couldn’t accept it tho because I didn’t like the way it looked but she once again insisted and that one day paved the way for my hair braiding journey. I haven’t seen her since I moved away but wherever she is I bless God for her belief in me.

Anna, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Anna Marie Bondele Wela, I am a student at the University of North Texas studying criminal justice and a minor in rehabilitation studies. Aside from being a student I do hair specifically braids and I’m an aspiring chef, I love to cook and am very humbled to have been able to make it into a business it’s still starting but surely is going somewhere, but I am not just limited to those things I am also a servant at my local church located in Hurst Texas! The best thing I did was take a chance on God he’s make me the woman that I am and continue to evolve into “a Woman of God”

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

This is a very interesting yet hard question to answer because I am still learning how to grow my audience but one of the things that have helped me is persistency. No matter how many likes you get or views you must keep going, it’s not going to be easy but one of those videos or pictures are bound to go viral, I am not at my goal but every time I make a post I’ve taught myself to be happy with what I get and keep going, because if you give up everytime you don’t get a like you will lose sight of the vision.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I’ve read many books that have helped but my top 2 would have to be “ 100 dollar startup” where, Chris Guillebeau shows you how to live a life full of adventure, meaning and purpose, and how to make a good living. Still in his mid-30s, Chris has traveled the world but he has never had a “real job.” It’ was the most fascinating book and definitely taught me to also enjoy life as much as you work. The second book is “Millionaire Midset” Have you heard this quote? “You have to think rich to become rich.” This is another way of saying that rich people are all on the same page. This is especially true when it comes to how they manage their finances. Learn to think like rich people! This book encouraged me to continue calling myself a billionaire and actively work to pursue it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Anna Bondele @Tastefulcusine @Neatlytouched_
• Facebook: Anna Bondele
• Linkedin: AnnaMarieBondele
• Youtube: Anna Bondele

Image Credits
Idovick Photography Biso Production Hurst Family Church Media Team