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From Habitat Homeowner to Business Owner
“It’s been a journey,” Annika Ford-Massey said as she reflected upon her life before she became a Habitat homeowner. She welcomed some of the Dayton Habitat staff into the salon that she owns to talk about where she has been, how she turned her life around, and how Habitat played such a large role in that process. Just seven short years ago, in 2002, Annika, a single mother, was working in a friend’s salon on Salem Avenue. She and her son, Austin, now 14 years old, were living in a duplex with a wet, moldy basement run by what she describes as a “slumlord.” Annika heard about Habitat’s program from another homeowner and decided to apply. She was excited to be accepted as a partner family, and by 2003 she had finished her sweat equity hours and moved into a healthy home of her own to raise her son. In 2004, she had the opportunity to purchase the salon where she worked, and although she was nervous about running a business on her own, she decided to go for it. She attributes much of her business success to the knowledge she gained from the Habitat homeowner classes she attended. “My life began to change for the better as soon as I became a Habitat homeowner,” said Annika. “At 21 I had to file for bankruptcy due to credit card debt, but thanks to the skills and responsibility that I gained through Habitat’s program, I have become a responsible homeowner and a successful business woman. I have a higher respect for my things because I have worked so hard to achieve them.” By 2005, Annika married, and in 2007, Annika wanted to relocate and expand her business. She attended classes at Wright State University’s Small Business Development Center and wrote a 40 page business plan that helped obtain a small business loan to her achieve her dream. In 2008, Girlfriends Salon moved from their small 800 square foot space to their current 1200 square foot salon and spa on North Main St. in Clayton. Expanding her business allowed her to add such services as nails, skin care, and massage therapy. Today, Annika is expecting a new addition to the family in December and is proud of her Habitat home. She believes that Habitat has influenced not only her life, but her son’s life by teaching responsibility and creating stability. She enjoys teaching Austin the skills she has learned to emphasize the value of money and what it means to be financially responsible. |
