Divine Hair Designs CEO Speaks with AC

I met Mary Harrell of Divine Hair Designs back in 2005 during an Ancient Paths seminar at Victory World Church. Mary was serving with her husband Vitz and I recall thinking that they were such a lovely couple. It is hard to find a husband and wife who are best friends as well as a team, so it was so refreshing to meet these two role models. I quickly learned that Mary was a hair stylist and a talented one at that. I recently caught up with Mary and wanted to find out more about what she was up to and here's what she had to say.

AC: Hi Mary, it was so lovely to see you and your husband recently. I know you're a busy woman, so I thank you so much for allowing me to talk to you today.

MH: It was great to see you too! Karen and thank you for the invitation.

AC: Mary, you are a wonderful woman with a very sweet and humble spirit, can you tell us where you are from?

MH: Yes, I was born and raised in (Sunny) Miami Florida.

AC: How did you find yourself in Atlanta, Georgia?

MH: My husband Vitz and I moved to Atlanta January 18, 2002. It was truly a God move (somewhat like Abraham you can say). I've wanted to live here since 1992, but Vitz would not move without a job, so we didn't. However, God spoke to Vitz (literally) in July of 2000 and said we were to move to Atlanta Georgia, so we visited in September of 2000 to see if he heard God correctly. Especially since I no longer wanted to move due to we were in the house and neighborhood I wanted to live in Miami (which 15 years earlier we didn't have enough credit or money build up to live in). I cried the whole week we were here in Atlanta in September of 2000 because I knew Vitz had heard from the Lord and that we would be moving. I soon realized that God was giving me a desire of my heart that I had forgotten about. It was a process of selling the house a year and three months to be exact.

AC: When did you first know that God had given you this gift to make others beautiful?

MH: I'd say as a child. Most Hair Stylist will tell you they've been doing hair since they were little children. They would be telling the truth, whether on there dolls, friends, or playing in their mothers hair. Well it would be the same for me, in my culture it was fun to sit on the porch and cornrow (braid) my friends hair in different styles (what creations we came up with lol). My brothers would beg me to cornrow their hair, of course I would charge them, even if it were to do the dishes for me in exchange for the styling.

AC: I understand that you have recently opened your own business. Can you tell our readers how you came about becoming a business owner?.

MH: WOW!! Truly once again GOD! It had always been a desire since moving here. However, for the last four and a half years I have
been an employee in someone else's salon, I even worked as a salon manager for two years. Little did I know God all the while was preparing me to step out and be a salon owner. Everything really happened so fast, you talk about an open door!!

AC: Do you have any specials for first time visitors?

MH: Yes, First time clients receive a $10.00 discount on their first service!

AC: Where is your shop located and how can people make appointments with you?

MH: Divine Hair Designs is located at 3780 Old Norcross rd., Duluth, Georgia, 30096 (within Salon Studios)
in the Kroger shopping plaza, next to blockbusters. Anyone can make an appointment by calling 770-896-1360

AC: What does your Salon specialize in?

MH:I specialize in healthy hair first, some of the services I offer are hair extension / weaves, relaxers, color,
precision hair cuts and so much more!

AC: Mary, how do you balance being a wife, mother and business owner?

MH: By the Grace of God and remembering my order of priorities which I believe is God, Family, Work, and serving in ministry. Also with the help of my husband Vitz who has truly been my friend and my covering, when I'm lacking in any of these areas he not only lets me know but he picks up the slack, and for that I am so very grateful to God for letting him find me for his wife.

AC: How has being a spirit filled Christian impacted your life?

MH: It is the only way to live. If we try to live without God leading us it would be like moving & living with a blindfold on, you really wouldn't know which way to go.

AC: What advice can you give aspiring business owners?

MH: Pray for the vision, be patient and faithful as God brings the vision to fruition. But most of all always pray for God to be FIRST in your life.

AC: Mary I am so honored that you took time out of your busy schedule to speak with me and to share a little of your life with our audience. It has been a pleasure and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors!

MH: Thank You! It has truly been a Blessing to speak with you Karen and my pleasure to share with you and your audience
the Blessings and the Favor of God in my life. Thank you again for inviting me.