Mia Simmons is currently engaging in a balancing act that would scare many. The 24-year-old, who celebrated her birthday yesterday, is a student at the University of the West Indies, manages two businesses and is a new mum to baby Leilani.
The self-taught hairdresser always wanted to be nothing other than a hairdresser.
Her hairdressing days began from her days as a student at Alexandra School.
“I entered a hair braiding competition when I was a student at Alexandra and I won. I always used to be doing hair at school in the bathroom or in the classroom, anywhere I could,” Mia revealed.
From there, she opened the business on the lawn of her mother’s home and operated it on weekends.
“I started the business MiUnique because I always loved doing hair. I went into doing it from at home on weekends. The business was started in 2012. I had an outdoor salon. This salon chair was set up outside and the customers used to come and enjoy themselves,” she said.
Upon completion of secondary school, Mia and her mum butted heads a bit on what path she should take – career and education wise. But in the end, they worked it out and Mia even discovered a new passion along the way.
“To be honest, I remember saying I only wanted to do hair. That was it. But my mum sat and spoke with me and told me in life things don’t always go as planned, so it would be best if I did something else as well.
“She went all out for me to go Barbados Community College (BCC). I went behind her back and applied to do the cosmetology course at Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic. Then I eventually went to BCC and did social work because later on I would like to work dealing with children or cases,” Mia said.
She is currently pursuing her studies in psychology at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus.
But just one and a half years into her studies at UWI, baby Leilani came along. An unexpected but very welcome blessing.
“Before I used to say I don’t want a baby until I’m finished school but when I found out I was pregnant I was very happy and excited. I gave birth to Leilani on March 26. She came directly after my two nephews, so I was even more excited,” Mia said while looking lovingly at her daughter, whom she was holding during the interview.
She said life with Leilani is very hectic, as she is still managing her businesses and being a full time student. But she makes it her business to give it her best shot daily.
“Life with Leilani can be hectic at times. It’s not always easy. Everything is done on her timing. She kind of sleeps through the night now so that’s good. But it’s like getting ready two persons at once. If she cries, I have to take her to brush my teeth. If I go to the bathroom, she has to sit and watch sometimes,” she said.
Mia added that everything she did now was done with her daughter in mind, and stressed that it has changed her tremendously.
“Everything I do now I think of her. Instead of being so laid back I try to do things right away instead of wasting time. If I know I have to wash her bottles, I get up and do it right away. With UWI it’s a little difficult because sometimes I don’t have the energy all the time but I push through because I have no choice but to do it,” she said.
She added, “although she is only six months, I want to be a role model for her. I always think of what I’m doing and I think of her and my nephews first. Life has really changed.”
But through it all, she enjoys ultimate support from numerous people in her circle.
“As it related to my daughter, I have a lot of support in terms of keeping her. Someone is always willing. My brother, my aunt, my mum, my dad, her godparents, someone is always willing. I went back to work two months after I had her, and her dad took time off to keep her, my aunt helped out as well. All of them play a really good role in her life.”
Last year, she decided to take her business to another level. She opened a physical location and started her second business selling hair under her company MiUnique Beauty Collection.
“Last year I was speaking to my grandparents, brother and my mum and I told them I believed it was time to get a structure. Being outside was fine, but I wanted to make that next step. Move on to bigger and better things. Where selling hair was concerned I was a bit scared at first. But when I get the boost to do something I have to do it one time. I have been doing it for a year now and it’s been going great,” she added.
Going forward, Mia is looking forward to completing her studies at UWI.
“I have one more year at UWI and I cannot wait to finish. I want to one day own my own home. By the end of the year I want to have my own car, I wanted to do it since last year but I held off on it. I don’t care to party or anything like that either. Right now it’s just about saving for her and myself,” Mia said, adding that through it all, she still manages to get in some time playing netball.
