Help Beauty by Design expand into the community

Hi, my name is Linda Franks, and I am building a business based on my love of service to the community.

Eight years ago, I was growing my natural hair salon in Baton Rouge, La. God had given me the vision to mentor stylists, who had graduated and needed to build a clientele and have hands-on training to build their businesses. I had chosen three amazing women, one a young but mature and seasoned young professional and two newly-graduated stylists. The salon was able to provide a professional, safe and positive environment for them to learn business skills, grow a strong loyal clientele and expand their skills.

After a year, they had the option to stay and become a renter of space, or work on commission. I made sure that, during the year, the salon paid them above-average commission rates and provided all supplies, products, clients, training materials and travel expenses to out-of-town classes to grow us, including retreats. Community service was required and we participated in back-to-school, holiday and special community events. All of the ladies were able to go on to start places on their own.

Unfortunately during this time, I lost my son, Lamar. In 2015, Lamara was pulled over for window tint in Baker, La. on his way to pick his grandmother up from her dialysis appointment, he was arrested for an unpaid ticket and an outdated warrant and was dead 4 days later.

I was thrust into fighting for justice for my son and others, so many others. I pulled away from the business to work in the community. God blessed me with an amazing husband, family, friends and clients that would not let me quit. I am still in that fight today and I realized the salon is useful and liberating to do work in the community.

So I am raising money to purchase a building that is going to be perfect to begin the salon's program again while providing resources in the Community where people need them. We will be providing access to legal, emotional, physical and spiritual resources that can make a real difference in lives to prevent tragedy and unnecessary harm.

The funds collected will be used to: