Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cynthia Shaw. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Cynthia , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

Legacy can be defined by money left or personal property left to love ones. To me legacy means the impact of someone’s life that is left for generations to come. My husband, Pearlee Shaw, Junior left a legacy that will be passed on through each generation to come. he left a work ethics, athletic records, his life that he lived for Christ. He stood on the word of God. He closed the naked, fed the hungry, and if they needed a place to stay he provided that too. All my adult hood, I lived in the shadows of my husband and children. Now that he’s no longer with us, I had to come from behind the shadows and begin a legacy of my own. Growing up in a family of eight, living with a single mom I felt less than my siblings. My husband and my pastors have always told me that there was a lioness inside of me . I didn’t see it but  since the death of my husband I’ve had to walk in the calling that God called me to be. Thus now working on my own legacy. The legacy I want to build is my walk in Christ Jesus. I’ve written books I have a nonprofit . Because that only what we do for Christ will last. This is what I want. My motto is if I can help somebody then my living won’t be in vain. I don’t want them to see my outer appearance. I want them to see Christ in me and know that I have the heart of God.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Cynthia Shaw. I am an author, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, minister, worshiper, hairstylist, CEO of a nonprofit. Growing up there was only two careers that I wanted to do. An airline stewardess, and a hairdresser. The proper term is cosmetologist. One of my granddaughters told me because I don’t do nails, feet, make up and etc. She said I was just a hairstylist. I didn’t choose airline stewardess because back in the 70s they wanted them to be single so they would be free to travel. I knew I wanted to be married so I chose the latter. I’ve been a hairstylist for 47 years now. Being a hairstylist I have had to not just fix their hair but also be a counselor, prayer partner, and marriage counselor. Being married to my husband for 42 1/2 years, I guess I could give good advice. I’ve even been a secretary for my husband trucking repair business. Whatever it took to help each other out, we did it. He even helped me in my first Salon. He was a great provider for his family and he would help anyone, stranger, seniors, even kids showing them his athletic abilities. He financed my first salon and named it too! He said he always heard my customers talk about how I shampooed and massaged their scalp. He named it A GODLY TOUCH. We were a true team. I gave up my Salon after 10 years to start working with a friend. We supported each other in every part of our lives. The last two years of his life he suffered with colon cancer. Before he died unbeknowing to me He asked my brothers to convert our garage into a salon for my oldest daughter and myself. He felt that doing this we wouldn’t have to work for anyone else, but be our own boss. No longer having to leave the house but allowing our customers to be in a more private area where we could be more about ministry and being personable. When he passed, my brothers fulfilled his wish. I had been working on writing a book about my life. After his death, I completed it. My first book is called! A VICTIM or A VICTOR. Just completed a story of his life and legacy in a Cancer experience anthology.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Yes! In my first book, I talked about my life. What I went through. Self-esteem, molestation, bullying,  allowing myself to believe that I was only born to be used and abused by men. Even though I was raised in church, I’ve always knew about God, but I felt like maybe he had forgotten about me because he allowed this to happen to me. At times I wanted to give up, but I’ve read the word of God that said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. God knew my beginning and my end. He gives us all choices in life. Good or evil, to be happy, or sad, to live for him, or reject him. We can choose to always be A VICTIM, or we can choose to be A VICTOR , Christ says we are victorious, so I chose to be A VICTOR.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Growing, my clientele has worked better for me, word or mouth. My clients would leave the salon with the confidence that they look good and when they would see people in different stores, streets, church, people would comment on their hair and ask who did it. They would give them my number and they would start coming. I did advertising, but didn’t get a response. I ended up losing money on those adventures. I’ve always believe that how you treat people will determine if they return or not. I love pampering my customers. I’ve always believe that when a customer comes into the shop after a long day at work they want to relax. I made the atmosphere comfortable for them. When I shampoo their hair, I would massage their head. Most would go to sleep at the shampoo bowl. I didn’t overcharged them, and sometimes it got me in trouble, but I was feeling extra special so I would give a free hairdo or two. I even had contest sometimes for whoever sent the most referrals would get a free relaxer a color. I’ve always been very creative with my styles. My customers were my main advertisement.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mommashaw2018
• Facebook: awidowswisdom.com