After years of supporting her family’s dreams, Christa (Martin) Kozer of Pell City has stepped out on a limb in the midst of a rough economy to follow her own dreams of becoming a cosmetologist.

Born and raised in Cropwell, Kozer graduated from Pell City High School in 1995. She began taking classes at Jefferson State Community College with the intent on majoring in mass communications or journalism, but never finished her coursework.

But a slump in the economy and the loss of her job at Benjamin Moore Paint last summer led her down the path to fulfilling her dreams.

“I realized it was time to change my life, so I enrolled in the Aveda Institute in Birmingham,” Kozer said. “God really put it into my mind to do something and to do it now.”

As a child and young adult, Kozer said she was always fascinated by hair and makeup, so cosmetology was a natural choice. And while her first attempt at her education didn’t go exactly as planned, Kozer was driven to succeed.

Kozer juggled the 1,500 hour program — which included 500 hours in the classroom — with making sure her 14-, 11- and 10-year-old children were getting to their activities and were well cared for.

 “It was hard. It’s been a struggle not having a job, getting back and forth to Birmingham for class every day. It’s been hard, but I’ve made it through because of my husband, my kids, their father, my parents, there has just been so much support for my dream,” Kozer said.

Her first time in college, she said, was much easier due to the fact that she didn’t have children at the time. In fact, she said she felt at first like managing school and her family’s needs would not be possible. But, as she and her family sacrificed to help her realize her potential, Kozer made sure to work hard and make them proud.

“I was young before, college was just a thing. Now, I’m dedicated, focused, and I have a goal to reach,” she said.

Over the past year, Kozer has made a name for herself in everything she has done.

Whether it was winning the school-wide talent show with her singing or taking third place in an up-do challenge, constructing a construction paper dress featured on Fox 6 news or performing a full-body wax on Joe Hunk from Rock 99’s Mojo Morning Show, Kozer has taken every opportunity given her to make her talents known.

Those talents even landed her in discussion about a job opportunity with the Anthony Roberts Salon, one of the Greenbrook, N. J. salons featured on the Style Network’s reality show, “Jerseylicious.”

Ultimately, Kozer decided to stay closer to home, and will begin working as a cutting specialist for the Hair Centre SalonSpa in Pell City on Oct. 4.

“I really have a great thing in store for me there,” Kozer said. “Everything has worked out great, I feel like I’ve really been blessed. Everything just started to fall into place,” Kozer said.

While her hard work is finally paying off, Kozer also feels her experience will have a positive impact on her children.

“I think it’s good for me, but this experience has also showed my kids that no matter your age, you can do anything with love, support and God in your life,” she said.

To reach Kozer, contact Hair Centre SalonSpa at 205-338-3008.