In a world often driven by personal ambition and individual success, it’s rare to find collaborations that speak to the heart of community upliftment and genuine care. The partnership between the Louisville Beauty Academy (LBA) and Harbor House of Louisville Inc. is one such beacon of hope.
The inception of this collaboration was nothing short of serendipitous. A simple meeting between Maria Smith, the CEO of Harbor House of Louisville Inc., and Di Tran, the CEO of Louisville Beauty Academy LLC, led to a transformative moment for both institutions. During a tour of what was soon to be Harbor House’s old building, Di Tran was struck by a profound realization. In his own words, he remarked, “God, these people are beautiful and they are all smiling.” His observation was not just about the ambiance or the infrastructure but the palpable joy emanating from both the staff and the differently-abled residents.
As they navigated the halls, Di Tran shared with Maria, “This is like heaven on earth for me, and I feel like I want to live here.” Coming from a Catholic multi-generational background, Di Tran may not have seen himself as overtly religious. Still, he couldn’t deny the divine grace he felt within Harbor House—an environment where care providers and recipients coexisted in a harmonious blend of happiness and God-given beauty.
Di Tran’s journey with the Louisville Beauty Academy started seven years prior with a clear and purposeful vision. He aimed to elevate the underrepresented populations, including immigrants and minorities, to attain professional status as licensed beauty practitioners in Kentucky. Specializing in fields ranging from Cosmetology and Esthetics to Nail Technology and Eyelash Extensions, Di Tran, alongside his dedicated team of instructors and staff, has celebrated the graduation of over 1,000 students. What’s even more commendable is that all these graduates are gainfully employed today.
Upon meeting the passionate team at Harbor House and experiencing the infectious joy of its residents, Di Tran was inspired by another visionary thought. He pondered: If LBA could elevate underserved communities to professional status, why not channel this expertise towards serving other marginalized groups like the differently-abled and the elderly? More so, why not extend these services to the dedicated staff that serves these communities daily?
This spark of inspiration led to the birth of a grand plan: the establishment of the Louisville Beauty Academy’s second location within Harbor House of Louisville Inc.’s new, state-of-the-art $20+ million facility. Both Maria Smith and Di Tran are exhilarated by the potential of this partnership. The blending of LBA’s professional beauty expertise with Harbor House’s ethos of care and community promises to be transformative for all involved.
The journey of this collaboration is a testament to the miracles that can occur when passion meets purpose. As Di Tran reflects and prays daily, “God blesses, that we meet, and so God blesses it to go forward.” This partnership is not just about beauty and care; it’s about community, love, and creating ripples of positive change.
P.S. Stay tuned for more updates! Exciting developments are on the horizon.
