Today we’d like to introduce you to Sunshine Goodman.
Hi Sunshine, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Charleston, SC and raised in Roanoke, VA. After high school I moved back to my place of birth, Charleston, to begin adulthood. I decided to go the traditional route of working and going to school. Fairly quickly, I learned that college was not for me and I wanted something more out of life. The search for my calling thus began. I searched for barber schools and found out that I could serve as an apprentice to gain my license. I served under Khalid Gadsden at Lucciono X2 Platinum salon at which I soon became the manager. After a year of running the salon, I got my Master Haircare license. In 2021, I celebrated 10 years in business under my styling brand, Celebritimage, LLC.
In 2020, I began my physical transition. Through my journey, I have gained a lot of exposure which has helped establish me as an advocate specifically for the Trans community as well as the overall LGBTQ+ community. Through my work with the communities, I became the first Black Transwoman to serve on the board of Alliance For Full Acceptance (AFFA).
My personal mission is to empower people to lead with authority while living their most authentic lives. From this mission, my personal brand, Sunshine Bella Global, LLC, was born. Our most vulnerable selves often lie in our sexual nature. During my weekly vlog on Facebook, titled LTAS (Let’s Talk About Sex) Live, I hold open conversations with my viewers about sex and relationships. Because I am able to get people to open up about sex, this has led to people approaching me for personal counsel with regards to intimate subjects such as sex, gender identity, and self-love.
I feel like life for me has begun since transitioning; so too is my personal brand. My goal is to expand my reach to the greater masses by offering services geared towards helping people live authentically while continuing to build my following that will grow with me on my journey.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like most anything worth doing, it has not been an easy road. Through sacrifice and determination, I have been able to accomplish many of the goals I have set for myself. The first of many fuel-inducing struggles occurred when I began my professional haircare career. I was entering an industry I knew nothing about all the while building a clientele that would catapult my career. My desire to establish myself as a speaker and advocate has often had me juggling time between responsibilities and new opportunities. The support of my friends, family, and followers helps me stay grounded while keeping me encouraged.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am well known for my personal connection with my clients during the services I provide. You can always count on me to be a supportive listener while also being an accountability partner. This sets me apart from anyone that may provide similar services. The safe space I provide my clients allows them to feel like they can be their most authentic selves. Nothing makes me more proud than to be able to say that I am 10 years strong in the haircare industry and I have built and maintained trust with my clients.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
Instagram is an app that I find most inspiring of any media because of its ability to show you the world. I feel like I am viewing a bounty of life when I scroll through my newsfeed. The exposure I receive from different pages such as travel and fashion are invaluable in that they inspire me to continue to step outside of the box with my thinking, my brand, my personal style. I am firm believer of “what you follow is what you attract,” therefore, the pages I follow offer positivity that invoke growth.
Contact Info:
- Email: sunshinebellaglobal@gmail.com
- Instagram: @sunshinebellaglobal
- Facebook: facebook.com/sunshinebellaglobal
Image Credits
Jeffrey Bowens Photography Southern Equality
