Shelia Kaye Brown

Shelia Kaye Brown was born on September 20, 1961, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Emma Jean Brown and James Brown Sr. Shelia grew up surrounded by family, faith, and the Little Rock community that would remain close to her heart throughout her life.

Shelia was one of a loving family of siblings: James Brown Jr., Bertha Jean Reed, Ronnie Lee Brown, Valarie Gale Baltimore-Brown, Pamela Brown Courtney, and half-brother, Perry Hunter. Family remained an important part of Shelia's life and story.

Shelia was a proud graduate of the historic Little Rock Central High School, graduating in 1978. Even as a young woman, she had an unmistakable eye for beauty, fashion, and style. Shortly after graduating, Shelia left Little Rock for the big city of Chicago, Illinois, determined to pursue her passion for cosmetology, fashion, and the beauty industry.

While in Chicago, Shelia attended beauty school, became a licensed cosmetologist, and continued developing her craft. She worked closely with Mary Walton, her aunt, who is a licensed cosmetologist in Chicago, and within the Dudley beauty community and gained valuable knowledge and experience with professional beauty products, techniques, and education. Chicago helped sharpen not only Shelia's talent as a stylist, but also her vision for what was possible in the beauty business.

She eventually brought that vision back home to Little Rock, Arkansas.

A Beauty Entrepreneur

Shelia was much more than a talented cosmetologist. She was an entrepreneur, educator, mentor, and business owner.

Shelia was the founder and owner of Shelia's Eccentric Hair and Nail Studio in Little Rock, Arkansas. What began with her talent, vision, and entrepreneurial spirit grew into a thriving beauty business. At the height of her career, Shelia had more than 15 stylists working in her salon, creating opportunities for other beauty professionals to develop their talents and build careers of their own.

For Shelia, the beauty industry was never limited to what happened behind the salon chair. She understood that beauty was also a business.

She was known for using professional products and demonstrations to educate both her staff and her customers, generously sharing the knowledge and experience she had gained throughout her career. She was also well known for producing fashion shows and beauty shows and for incorporating education into her work.

Most importantly, Shelia shared what she knew. She encouraged and taught other beauty professionals to think beyond simply doing hair and to begin thinking like business owners. She wanted others to understand that their talent could become a career, their chair could become a business, and their skills could create opportunities for themselves and others.

Through Shelia's Eccentric Hair and Nail Studio and her work throughout the beauty community, Shelia helped people look beautiful - but her impact went much further. She helped others see what they could become.

Faith, Family & Her Beautiful Spirit

Faith was woven throughout Shelia's life. From a very young age, she was a member of Greater Christ Temple Pentecostal Church in Little Rock. She shared her gift of song as a soprano in the church choir, lifting her voice in worship and remaining connected to the spiritual community that had been part of her life since childhood.

Outside of her professional accomplishments, Shelia was simply fun. She was friendly, caring, fashionable, and full of personality. She loved looking good, enjoyed people, and knew how to have a good time. Whether she was working, spending time with family, attending church, or putting together a fashion or beauty event, Shelia brought her own unmistakable style and energy with her.

Although Shelia never married and did not have children of her own, her life was filled with family and love. Her nieces and nephews held a very special place in her heart. She loved them deeply, and the bond she shared with them was an important and treasured part of her life. She was not simply their aunt - she was a special presence in their lives, and they were a special part of hers.

Shelia also adored her little Yorkie, Coco, her faithful companion who brought her tremendous joy.

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith…"

- 2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV)