One successful Morgan County businesswoman finds love in motherhood, spirituality, God and work

story by Ann Cantrell • photos by Angelina Bellebuono

Wanda Ingram was not handed many things in life. Despite this lack of hand outs, she has opened up her house and home as a source of encouragement and strength to others.
She owns the hair salon, Tru Shades of Essence Salon, and still manages to raise four boys ranging in ages from 18 to 21.
Ingram opened up her salon in part to provide young women with the opportunity to get much needed experience out of salon school.
“When I got out of school, there was no place to work in,” said Ingram.
After ending school, individuals need to take a board exam before they get their license and there is often no where for them to work to get experience or funding.
Her salon is open to women for another reason as well, one more important to Ingram. Her life is guided by her faith in God, and in her salon she strives to provide Biblical encouragement to these women. She hopes to show women that despite hard times to have faith that God will provide.
“There is a way out—if you fall, there is life afterwards,” said Ingram.
Ingram’s faith in God rules her household as well. While she said she is lucky to have four very respectful boys, she also said she has not hesitated to “spare the rod, and spoil the child.”
Being a single parent and raising four boys has provided its difficulties for Ingram though.  All four of her children, Roderick Brown, Darius Cole, Thomas Greene and Terrence Greene, played several sports in high school and making it to all of their events was often difficult for Ingram.
Also, providing simple things such as food and sports equipment for four boys has not always been an easy task for Ingram. This task became even more difficult when she took in her son Thomas’ friend.
Ingram said that one day, her son Thomas brought home his friend Roderick and asked if he could stay with them, after Roderick’s mother had passed away. Ingram adopted Roderick and he now attends Savannah State.
Susie Mae Ingram, Wanda’s mother, was a single mother as well, and also adopted children and Wanda said that from her mother, she received the desire to bring in children and minister to the community.
Two of her other boys, Darius and Thomas, attend Georgia Military College in Milledgeville and her youngest, Terrence, will attend Georgia Southern in the fall.
For the first time in a long time, Ingram will have an empty nest and she worried about what she will do with her time, especially when football season approaches and none of her sons are playing.
“It’s going to be challenging, not having anything to do,” said Ingram.
Ingram is not worried though about her last son leaving the house, or any of her sons, being away from home and adhering to what she has taught them. Besides believing that her sons are good, respectful men, she also believes that what she taught them growing up, will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
With her free time, Ingram hopes to provide some guidance and help for other young people. She said that for her, “It is better to give than receive.”
Ingram’s hair salon is located next to the Golden Pantry in Madison. Tru Shades of Essence salon is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.