Local business owner hopes to provide Second Chance with scholarship opportunity

In a world where so many are looking for a second chance career wise, a local business owner is using her own personal experience to help out someone looking to make a change for the better in their professional life. And she is doing it one fundraiser at a time.

Cindy Holmes, owner of Need a Haircut?Salon in Ripley, came up with the idea when contemplating her venture into cosmetology after her old factory related job shut down, making her a “dislocated worker.”

“I was eligible for a program that provided 100% tuition, paid for my gas…everything. I know not everyone gets such a thing so I thought I would help provide that for someone,” Holmes said.

Enter her Second Chance Scholarship Fund.

Her business and others involved are doing raffles, bake sales and more to help raise the money to pay for tuition and related expenses for a scholarship recipient to attend Booneville Academy of Cosmetology.

“We hope to be able to provide gas vouchers and more,” Holmes said.

And the scholarship does not end at school. Holmes will also provide a job upon graduation and she will assist the winner growing their business and becoming successful.

“Going into cosmetology as an adult changed my life, changed the whole course of my life, and I want to pay that forward,” Holmes said about her going into this industry as an adult.

The scholarship will be selected by a third party, out of state screening company. And while it is geared towards an adult looking to make a career change into cosmetology, anyone over 18 that can attend school in Booneville and work in Ripley upon graduation is eligible.

Holmes and her salon coworkers are excited about helping provide this opportunity.

“I think about where I would be right now if God hadn’t put me on this journey and I just want to pass that blessing on.”

You can pick up raffle chances, help fund the scholarship by other means or apply by contacting Need a Haircut in Ripley. They are a little over halfway to funding their goal.

“We have plans to make this a continual thing. As one is graduating, another begins on this scholarship.”