GAMECHANGERS
Meet Kim Becker, President and Founder of Hello Gorgeous!
After being a hairdresser for nearly 30 years and owning her own salon for 10, Kim Becker found her calling with the creation of Hello Gorgeous! of HOPE, Inc. a 503(c) nonprofit organization providing services and support to women battling cancer.
Kim Becker
President and Founder, Hello Gorgeous! of Hope, Inc
After being a hairdresser for nearly 30 years and owning her own salon for 10, Kim Becker found her calling with the creation of Hello Gorgeous! of HOPE, Inc. a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing services and support to woman battle cancer.
With the help of her loving husband and son, Hello Gorgeous! began in 2006 with a goal of empowering women, who were in the midst of battling cancer, to smile when they looked in the mirror.
Over the last 12 years, Kim and Hello Gorgeous! have performed makeovers on hundreds and hundreds of women battling cancer across the United States, from all walks of life and situations.
Hello Gorgeous! of HOPE, Inc.
Hello Gorgeous! is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides complimentary, professional makeovers and cosmetic education to all women battling all cancers.
These services are performed in a 35' mobile DaySpa or within the comfort of an Affiliate Salon in Northern and Central Indiana, and (2012) Northern Illinois and the Chicagoland area. Our goal is to certify a minimum of 2 Affiliate Salons in each city in the United States to commit to perform (12) Hello Gorgeous! Experiences each year.
With this goal, Hello Gorgeous! can impact 500,000 women with cancer each year. Come Help Us.
What’s the book on your nightstand right now?
My bible and my journal.
What’s your favorite podcast?
Jennifer Allwood, Corrine Crabtree and of course, Hello Gorgeous! Everything related to beauty, cancer and inspiration!
Do you prefer to have a coffee in the morning or some tea?
Iced tea
How would you describe your personal style?
Classy. Anything from Chico’s or blue jeans and a HelloGorgeous! hoodie.
Can you describe your go-to outfit?
Anything from Chico’s or blue jeans and a HelloGorgeous! hoodie.
How would you describe yourself? At work, at home?
I would describe myself as vivaciously optimistic. I try to look for the joyful things in life, at work and at home. I hope when people meet me, they see someone that is loving, authentic and classy.
How did you get where you are?
A lot of grit and perseverance.
How did the idea for Hello Gorgeous! start?
Hello Gorgeous! is truly a calling that has been placed on my life by God. There is no way that I would have ever come up with this idea on my own.
Is this something you always wanted to do?
I was a hairdresser for more than 30 years. I loved the idea of creating a new look for my clients. In my salon days, it was my favorite thing to do, to watch the transformation take place and for my salon guest to come alive. I am not sure I ever thought about the impact that I could truly have, performing a makeover on a woman battling cancer.
Did you grow up surrounded by those who gave back, were involved with charities?
No, not really. I was involved in Blue Birds and the Camp Fire Girls organization. Charity events were part of that in my childhood, but that was mostly seasonal.
What advice would you give young people looking to get involved or make a difference in their communities?
Do what you love!!! I will tell you that doing what you love is the most fulfilling thing that I have ever done!!
What's the one piece of advice you would give your younger you starting out?
You are a strong, brilliant and resilient woman and you can do hard things. Don’t underestimate or second guess yourself.
What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
I believe that it is important to have a month designated to the history of women so that the stories of amazing women can be told and shared. I love hearing about women that have made history, that have gone before me and the women that are making history today.
Where does your drive come from to help others?
I believe that I have been a servant leader. I love doing good for others and I love taking care of others. My late husband was diagnosed with a liver disease shortly after we were married. I believe that helped me become the woman that I am today.
My life’s motto is “I can not be successful unless I help others achieve success.”
How do you recharge yourself?
Reading the bible, journaling and time at the beach are things that I do that recharge me.
How did the pandemic affect your work and how did you adjust?
The pandemic changed the way we supported women with cancer. The mainstay of our organization was in-person makeovers. When the pandemic hit and the world shut down, so did our in-person makeovers. What I realized was that even in the middle of the pandemic, women were still being diagnosed with cancer and we needed to find a way to support them. We pivoted our business and started offering virtual makeovers. These makeovers can be done in the comfort of her own home where she can be kept safe and still feel special and pampered.