Welcome to Wonder Woman Wednesday! Every Wednesday we feature women who are using their business or work as a force for good. The intention behind this blog is to raise awareness on the impact of doing good and to inspire others to think of ways in which they too can use their business or work as a force for good. By doing this we hope we will be creating a better community one business at a time and leaving this world a little bit better than we found it for future generations.

Tell us about your business and how you use your work as a force for good?

Ebony and Ivory is a hair and beauty salon right in the heart of Perth City. I wanted to create a space where everyone felt welcome. My experience with my Afro hair when I migrated to Australia from Zambia inspired me to create a space with love and compassion where everyone would feel welcome and that they belonged. Ebony and Ivory caters to a diverse clientele, offering services for all hair types. I use my work as a force for good by providing free life skills workshops for young girls aged between 9 and 14 years from culturally diverse backgrounds.

What led you to using your business as a force for good?

From a young age I knew I had a calling to make a difference. I remember as a little girl walking to the markets to buy some food on a rainy day. I was walking barefoot not by choice but because we faced a lot of hardship. As I walked in the rain, tears rolling down my face, I saw many other young girls and boys sitting on the streets in the rain homeless shivering from the cold and some trying to find food in the rubbish bins but yet smiling and singing. I had seen this on many occasions and many times would share the little I had with them. But for some reason that day something happened. I saw myself in them. I saw their innocence and suffering. I saw a little girl just like me. This broke my heart as I knew they didn’t come into this world to suffer like they did. A seed was planted in my heart at that very young age and I just knew that I wanted to make a difference in young people’s live

What inspires you to make a difference in the lives of others?

I am inspired by the feeling of doing something for someone and knowing I have left a legacy because of the life I have touched. It’s truly humbling. The thing about life is that you never know how the small gestures you do, may impact someone’s life. What inspires me the most is being able to see a smile on someone’s face because of the kindness I have shown them. I honestly live for moments like those. My work is very rewarding on so many levels. I never take what I do for granted.

What is one act that anyone can do today to make this world a better place?

Have compassion and love in whatever you do. Have good intentions and be mindful in everything you do. The reward that comes from doing this is immeasurable. You will be amazed at how much your positivity makes this world a better place. We all have a responsibility towards making this world a better place.

Find out more about Joan and the work she does here.

The Power of Hope