Polly Sanders-Peterson | Polly and Company

Featured Interview

What role do you play in your Industry?

A forerunner, leader, president of hair association, first African American Salon owner in Cherry Creek: Salon of the year nationally, numerous awards, especially proud of first African American Hall of Fame for Hairdressing and interageated diversity of cultures in Salon with White and black hair care.

What year did you start in your industry?

I was fortunate to work in my first Salon in 1965 @ Minnies on West Alamedia as first African American in non black Salon.

What Certifications, Degrees, Titles and Experience do you have in your industry?

I' m blessed to have God open many doors for the gifts He placed in me. Celebrating 58 years of hairdesigning, 38 of those years as Owner of Pollyandco.com, Educator for manufactures, President of Denver and Colorado Hair Associations, Assistant @ World Hair Competion, forerunner in bringing diversity of hair dressing into Denver market and numerous Hair awards and most recent, went into Denver Hall of Fame as first Black female hairdresser.

Why & How did you get involved in your industry?

Wow! My Counselor Mr.Race, said to me, he had found something for everyone of his students except me: Well I was summons to his office@ East High School, and he told me about Hollywood Beaury Collage, Grant program for Cosmetology. No I said, but he told me all the benefits and how he had noticed my hair ability with my own unmanageable curly hair! Off I went as the first African American @ Hollywood Beauty College in downtown Denver. "Loved it from day one" serving people and dressing hair is a gift from God! Thanks Mr. Race!

What do you love most about your role in your industry?

As I have come toward the end of my career, it an honor to serve as mentor for depositing Professional ethics, diversity building, networking and merging partnerships of Hairdressing and serving my clients for over 50 years this season of Hairdressing. Very Thankful! What an amazing career@ and still loving it ❤️

What is the best advice you have received about how to impact your industry?

So many gifts were given to me. but here are 3 are the most impacting. 1. Service: how to love the art and fulfillment of serving one's clients. 2. Relationship Building: the power and beniffits of building personable relationships. 3. Trust: one of the most importsnt gifts I learned is how to build Strong professional Trust with my clients by being accountable, dependable, offering high quality service and hair techniques to keep my clients coming back, time after time from generation to generations.

What do you think are the top 3 things that help people excel in your industry?

What encouragement would you give to those who are interested in being in your industry?

What do you think is the most important qualities for people to have in your industry?

What obstacles have you overcome, or are you overcoming to excel in your industry?

I had to overcome so many obstacles: here are the most rewarding: 1. Know and accept who I'm : learning confidence and overcoming rejection. 2. Knowing and recognizing my gifts, talents 3. Knowing my value and worth I bring to others

What accomplishments are you most proud of in your life?

1. Learing to love and receive Love ❤️ 2. Learning to forgive and receive forgiveness 3. Power of giving heart

Who is is one person that has influenced your direction in life? Explain How.

I'm very blessed to have many great mentors God placed into my life to accomplish different inner growths. Here are a few. 1.Harry@ Beauty College: who taught me never let others dertimine my worth or value. 2. Earl@ Earl's Beauty Salon for teaching me the gifts of Service, and Leadership. 3. Michael Taylor: Recognizing and seeing the potential in me. And most of All God, for the many Open doors.

What advice would you give to the younger generation?