Spotlight on Success: Makayla Smith, Jackson Graduate
We are proud to celebrate Makayla Smith, a May 2025 graduate of the Cosmetology program at Empire Beauty School in Jackson, TN. Throughout her time at Empire, Makayla showed dedication, passion, and determination as she worked toward her goals. Her commitment to completing the program and building a future in the beauty industry is an inspiring example of perseverance.
Originally from South Carolina, Makayla chose to pursue her beauty education at Empire Beauty School in Jackson, TN. While her journey included challenges that interrupted her time as a student, she remained focused and determined to finish what she started. Makayla describes her experience as motivational, eye-opening, and a long time coming, and she is proud to be a graduate of Empire Beauty School.
Smith discovered her love for hair at an early age and surrounded herself with friends who shared her passion for beauty.
“At a very young age, I realized I had a passion for hair. I used to always do my hair for school. I would change my hairstyle weekly. As I got older, I wanted to further pursue that passion by practicing with my friends. They told me I should go to beauty school, and it went from there. It’s helpful to have friends in the same field as you. If I have questions, I can always talk to them and they will help me out,” said Smith.
Clarissa Byars, Executive Director of Empire Beauty School Jackson, shares:
“It has been a great honor to have Makayla Smith as a student. She has proven that through perseverance and hard work, ‘the sky’s the limit’. Although she had some bumps in the road along the way, she never stopped. She has shown her classmates what hard work and determination can do for you. She exemplifies what a true professional Cosmetologist should look like. I am so excited to see what’s ahead for her and her future.”
At Empire Beauty School, we strive to create a supportive learning environment that welcomes students from all backgrounds and experiences. For Smith, the Empire community had a powerful and positive impact.
“I love everything about Empire Beauty School. Before I went there, my mental health wasn’t in the best place. Now that I completed the course, I feel like I’m in a whole new headspace. I look at things in a more positive light and I feel more excited. It has been so helpful for me. The educators are very helpful and focused on your mental health. They definitely care about you. When I got to the enrichment class, I had an educator who told us how we can really make something special with this career. She opened my eyes and I looked at things from a different perspective,” said Smith.
During her journey, Smith’s family decided to relocate back to South Carolina. However, their plans were disrupted when Hurricane Helene devastated the Carolinas, creating unexpected challenges.
“When I-40 was collapsing, I was on the road. The chaos was really bad, it scared me. It felt like doomsday. It made me more determined to finish out my goal. I took the time to reevaluate myself. I came back 10 times stronger,” said Smith.
When asked about considering other schools, Smith shared that she felt the strongest support at Empire Beauty School.
“When I went back to South Carolina to inquire about other schools, it was nothing like Empire. I was talking to the staff about my experience and time in school, they weren’t ready to work with me. It was nothing like being at Empire. At Empire, I felt wanted. Jackson was the better fit for me,” shared Smith.
Though her journey had some obstacles, Smith stayed focused on graduating and becoming a licensed Cosmetologist.
“This means the world to me. I have been pushing off doing this for a while. My heart is definitely in this, I wanted to do it for so long. It feels like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. I am ready to elevate and get to the next level. I am excited to see what is in store for me next. I feel very happy. I was emotional graduating, but I was happy. This was a huge goal I set for myself. I’m not stopping here,” said Smith.
Looking ahead, Smith is determined to grow, elevate her skills, and make her mark in the beauty industry through continuous learning.
“I hope to work with a salon, with a good mentor to show me the ins and outs of managing a salon. My long-term goal is to be a salon owner. It’ll take time and patience but I will get there. I plan to dominate the beauty industry. I hope to become one of the best stylists there is. I hope I can take this, and elevate, grow, and learn. I like to make people feel beautiful. I love seeing the reaction you get when you spin them around in the chair and they can see the transformation. Their faces light up and they get so happy by changing their hair,” said Smith.
Smith offers valuable advice for balancing school, work, and personal life while pursuing a career in cosmetology.
“Stay grounded. There’s a reason why you started. If you feel in doubt or lost, go back to the reason why you started. That’s what I had to do. Staying consistent is the main thing. There is always light at the end of the tunnel. If your heart’s in it, it’s meant for you,” said Smith.
Makayla’s story is a powerful reminder that determination and passion can overcome any obstacle. We are excited to see her continue to grow and succeed in the beauty industry.
For more information about Empire Beauty School, or how to enroll visit https://bit.ly/LearnMoreAtEmpire