THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 15, 1995 TAG: 9501130214
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Janelle La Bouve
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
``To accomplish anything, you're got to have the `wanta,' '' said Elizabeth Hoover. ``You've got to have a goal. I think people will die without goals.''
Hoover's advice is not just for others; it's for herself, too.
``I'm so busy building the future that I don't take time to cry about the past,'' said Hoover, a former resident of New York City whose parents were Puerto Rican immigrants.
``If I had one message, this is it,'' she said. ``Race is not an issue. Poverty is not an issue. If you want to break the chain from the ghetto, it's up to you. People say that Foundation Park is bad, but that whole neighborhood makes up just one building in a New York ghetto, and that's in a good neighborhood.
``If you're in a bad situation, get up and go for it,'' she exclaimed. ``It's nice if somebody helps you. But don't wait for somebody to help. You can't find the future in somebody else.''
But there were days during childhood when she felt low. In grade school she was ignored by teachers and shoved off to the side. She dropped out of school during junior high.
In 1974, she moved to Virginia.
``Then, when I was 18, I made a personal commitment to God,'' she said. ``That changed my attitude, my point of view and my goals. I became like a roaring lion.
``I spent a lot of time thinking about how things went wrong and what I would do,'' she said. ``I rehabilitated my mind by reading, looking up words in the dictionary and learning the definitions.''
She needed a job. Billie Smith, operator of Hair Port in Virginia Beach, gave her a chance to become a hair stylist. She worked there as an apprentice during the day and took her science classes at Virginia Beach Vocational Technical Center in the evenings. After earning her cosmetology license, she worked 10 years in salons owned by someone else.
In September, when she opened Great Bridge International Hair Lines, Hoover determined that she would operate her shop in such a way as to provide opportunities for other stylists.
The stylists who work with her rent a booth. They do not pay her a commission.
``My business does not depend on the stylist and how much she earns,'' she said. ``It depends on the rental fee. I want the stylists to make money. I don't take most of what they make.''
Having her own business has reinforced Hoover's belief in her philosophy.
``No matter what you want to do, you can do it. No matter what happens along the way, you can overcome it,'' she said. ``Nobody said life would be easy. Take the little bit you have and build on it one day at a time.''
Full name: Elizabeth Hoover
Birthdate: Jan. 18, 1954
Grew up: In New York, N.Y.
Fond childhood memories: ``I can't think of any.''
Spouse: Jeffrey N. Hoover
Children: Israel, Ashley and Jeffrey Jr.
Occupation: Hair stylist, owner of Great Bridge International Hair Lines
Hobbies: Sewing
Last book read: ``The Strong-Willed Child''
Favorite song: ``I'll Never Change My Colors''
Favorite movie: ``They're all my favorites. `The Client' was great.''
Can't resist: ``Cookies.''
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ``My temper.''
Greatest accomplishment: ``Parenthood.''
Favorite TV program: ``Cops.''
Biggest problem facing Chesapeake: ``Traffic.''
Favorite way to spend a day off: ``Shopping.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
``I'm so busy building the future that I don't take time to cry
about the past,'' says hair salon owner Elizabeth Hoover.
by CNB