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About Me
Making a Difference
Elaine Lord, creator of RECOGNITION with Style, takes us on a journey through her life as a stylist and shows us what drove her to create a magazine for the hair-styling masses.
By Tara N. Wilfong
For as long as she can remember, Elaine Lord wanted to be a hair
stylist. Outgoing and friendly, she embarked on her dream as soon as she graduated from high school and
has now been styling hair for 26 years. Born and raised in Indiana, Lord received her technical training
at Tri-State Beauty College in Evansville, and soon found herself on the fast track to doing what she loved
best. In the beginning, she worked for a large area salon called Norma's of Northbrook, where she took on
a number of tasks while her clientele was established. Graduating to a full-fledged hairstylist, Lord worked
for Norma's for eight years before heading south to Georgia.
In Georgia, Lord tried out a number of small salons until she finally found A New Creation in Woodstock,
which had the same atmosphere and camaraderie as her former salon in Indiana. After several years there,
Lord received a big surprise from her husband: her own private hair studio in their home. Ecstatic with the
possibilities this adventure could bring, Lord embarked on the road of self employment. I was ready to take
a break from hair, but not completely, she says. I was very busy at work and wanted to slow down; I wanted
to be at home more with my family. With less clients, I could spend more time visiting and styling hair during
each appointment. I wanted that friendship between the client and the stylist to grow like I had experienced in Evansville.
For the past seven years, Lord has been working for herself and building quite a reputation as a stylist.
Her self employment has afforded her the luxury of time with every member of her family, including her husband,
David, daughter, Shea, and son Aaron. And, through her salon, Lord befriended a client who introduced her to international adoption. Through the program, older orphans from Europe are hosted by families in the United
States and 80 percent are eventually adopted. Considering an extension to their family, the Lords decided to
host a young girl from across the ocean. We met Tereza three years ago, and in our hearts she became our
daughter, Lord says. It took many baby steps to get us through all the paperwork, documents and fundraising,
but the support from family, friends and clients was incredible. Tereza came home and legally became our daughter
on July 12, 2004. Because of our adoption, I have grown with patience and have become the person I am today.
As a wife, mother of three (two teenagers and one soon-to-be-teenager) and business-owner, Lord definitely
keeps busy. She is a very hands-on mom who is right there joining in the fun with her children. At work, she
continues her hands-on approach and considers the men, women and children who come to her for her talents
as more than just clients, but friends as well. A typical appointment not only includes a cut, color or
perm, but also in-depth discussions of family, careers, hopes and dreams. I love when my clients not only
give me advice, but can actually give advice to my children while they are visiting, Lord says.
My clients have influenced my children in so many ways.
With so much on her plate, you may wonder why she decided to start a magazine of her own. After several
years of styling hair, I wanted to do more, she says. I have always been known for having a camera at
every event, including hair shows. I enjoy looking at hairstyling books and thought it would be cool to
create my own. Having an eye for style and an abundance of creativity, Lord decided to make her hairstyling
magazine different than any others on the market. Recognition with Style is written for local hairstylists,
barbers as well as their clients, and features an abundance of hair styling photos for all to enjoy. In
addition, the magazine is packed with professional advice, ideas, comments and suggestions. And, since Lord is involved in so many
causes herself, her magazine will recognize these special causes and share heartfelt stories coming from
the salons, barber shops and their patrons (be on the lookout soon for her own story on adoption and how
it has changed her life in so many beautiful ways). Finally, since we're all looking to save a little money,
coupons and discount offers will be displayed throughout the magazine for products and services in the health
and beauty industry.
As Recognition with Style starts to blossom, Lord wants to remind everyone that they have an opportunity
to be recognized and that you'll soon see yourself gracing the pages of this exciting magazine.
I hope through this magazine that I can give stylists and barbers
the recognition for all that we do, Lord explains. I hope stylists and barbers will want to share their
experiences with others through this magazine, and in turn, I'd like to recognize good causes that happen
throughout our community. If the hair, health and beauty industry can become a team through Recognition
with Style, then I know something positive can happen, we can make a difference in peoples' lives.
The Lord Family:
David, Elaine, Aaron, Shea and Tereza,
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Site by: Shea LordLayout by: Angel Wings Download: DDG |