We recently connected with Birdie Belis and have shared our conversation below.
Birdie , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
Wonderland Ranch is my non profit project of love! I am a child of an abusive marriage and just ended an abusive marriage. I think it’s important for women to surround and heal each other when there is a need, just like elephants. Which is why we use elephants as our logo and mascot. Wonderland is a place for women that have experienced divorce, abuse, trauma or homelessness, it’s a place for healing and rebirth. There will be a full fruit and vegetable garden, horses for equine therapy, alpacas, sheep, dogs and peacocks. Vegan seed to table meals would be prepared by local chefs in training. We plan to teach career training and goal setting including a clothing closet and full hair salon. This is a 90 day program and guests would stay in sustainable hobbit homes. There will even be a Montessori style children’s space including outdoor activities like tennis and volleyball or just relaxing by the firepit. We have trauma trained counselors on our team as well as spa staff to provide healing modalities such as Yoga and massage to help guests find their inner warrior!
Our mission statement is P.U.R.P.L.E.
People- Promoting positive spiritual, mental and physical health
Unity- Empowering women to create a path out of abuse
Respect- Never reacting to abuse by passing it on
Plants- Inspiring healthier communities by learning about vegan lifestyle
Love- Creating a healing environment where women learn to thrive and excel
Empower-Empowering women to achieve success
Because This world is full of Wonder!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Birdie and I live in Gilbert. I provide Vegan Hair Salon Services in a mobile capacity since Covid-19. Jakki provides Pet Readings for your fur babies. I am a former makeup artist for the Miss America pageant. I attended cosmetology school in Maryland in 1995. Since Covid, I have provided my services mobile. Guests wash their hair for their appointment and once I arrive, I trim or cut the hair, dry and style it. Oh, Tokyo Blue is a moon based salon. I cut hair on the new moon and the full moon to encourage growth. I love the universe, it’s magical. The customers that find me are fun, colorful vegan and vegan-curious, I have met alchemists and vegan chefs as well as mediums and herbal witches. Don’t let titles scare you, we are all children of nature. Invite me over, let’s play!
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
We are children of the universe. This planet is earth school. Each of us has experienced many, many lifetimes. My goal is to be of service to humanity. Homeless people have small needs, something as small as a blow pop can put a smile on their faces. Everyone has a story. Everyone has experienced tragedy at some time in their lives. You can like anyone If you take the time to hear their story. I love stories, I love to hear everyone’s journey. I feel compelled to help women and children. In any capacity, there are so many people that need a helping hand. Whether it’s career and resume preparation, interviewing skills, personal styling, day care services or people just needing help-I’d like to help. I am here in this lifetime to be of service. I intend to do just that.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
I used MyRegistry.com as a resource for friends and family to help me with my grand opening and salon equipment. It was a rough time and I didn’t have much money but this was my dream! I had to create a grass roots campaign to get my tools and start up money. The guests showered me with gifts that arrived just in time for my grand opening day celebration. Community is family, family is love.
Contact Info:
- Other: tokyobluehairlab@gmail.com 202-422-1508
Image Credits
Brooks Grant