Meet Velvet Fontenette | Licensed Cosmetologist and Licensed Nail tech

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

Hi Velvet, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
My name is Velvet Fontenette. I was born and raised in Los Ángeles California and now I reside in Las Vegas Nevada. I did not have the best upbringing at all. To this day, I do not know my parents nor do I know where I come from. I did not let that stop me, and I did not make excuses! Growing up in foster care, I received a $40 allowance every month. I could barely pay my phone bill, let alone pay someone to do my hair, so I learned how to do it myself! I kept practicing on myself until I felt comfortable to practice on friends. As I began practicing on friends, of course they wanted all the new styles. I found that I was able to achieve great results on my first try, and that hair actually came easy to me. I explored careers in a few different fields but I found that I wasn’t truly happy going to work every day. I wanted to work somewhere and do something that didn’t feel like work, something that would make me happy and keep me going everyday. I got accepted into my dream college on my 18th birthday and attended for a year because that is what the foster care system wanted me to do. That is not what I wanted to do, and therefore I wasn’t happy. I’ve known that I wanted to do hair since I was 15 but I was always told I wouldn’t be successful without a 4 year degree. I finally decided to do what made me happy, so one day I packed up my bags and moved to Vegas without ever visiting. I wanted a fresh start and I needed to get away from all the negativity around me. There I was all alone in a new city and state not even being 21. I enrolled in cosmetology school and finally got my license! Today I am a Licensed Cosmetologist and Licensed Nail tech in the state of Nevada, and I’m not done yet! I plan on doing so much more, and continuing to further my education, so I can be the best Cosmetologist I can be!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Getting where I am today was not easy. I’ve definitely faced a lot of challenges and obstacles along the way, but I did not give up! I used those challenges as motivation to keep going, and kept the big picture in mind. I told myself everyday that what I am going through at the moment is temporary and won’t last forever. I want to tell the world to do what makes them happy despite what others think. No matter how hard life gets, never give up. Never stop chasing your dream or perfecting your craft. Wake up everyday and do something that you will be proud of!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Las Vegas strip. There’s something on the strip for everyone! I like the pools, food and drinks of course. One of my favorite places to eat on the strip is nacho daddy. You can never go wrong with Mexican. We would visit local restaurants like Mimosas Gourmet for brunch and sugar factory for dinner.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My high school teacher Cheylinel Gaston. She was the best teacher I could ask for! She supported me in every way possible, whether it was school related or personal. Chey wanted me to do what I wanted to do and always helped me figure out next steps in accomplishing my goals. I am thankful to have someone so beautiful inside and out by my side!

Website: https://www.styleseat.com/m/v/velvetfontenette

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