That night, I couldn’t sleep. I kept thinking about how a simple haircut had somehow turned into something so much deeper. It made me realize how often people walk through my door needing more than just beauty — they need to feel seen.
A few weeks later, Mirela’s cousin called me. She’d heard about what happened and wanted to know if I could help a neighbor — a widower who had lost his wife and was struggling to rejoin the world. I agreed. I cut his hair, cleaned his beard, and listened to him talk about his wife’s laughter. When he left, he smiled for the first time in months.
At first, it was just me — one woman trying to do something good. But clients noticed. Some began tipping extra, saying, “Use this for someone who needs it.” Others donated supplies, like brushes and products. My little act of kindness had started a ripple.
One of my clients — a local lawyer — offered to help formalize it. Together, we created a small non-profit we called The Mirror Project, built on a simple idea: that sometimes, restoring someone’s reflection can help restore their spirit.
The program grew fast. Other salons joined in. We partnered with women’s shelters, cancer centers, and nursing homes. Every month, teams of stylists volunteered to cut hair, paint nails, and, more importantly, remind people they mattered.
The most incredible part? It all traced back to one woman — one mother trying not to feel ashamed on her son’s wedding day.Continue reading…
