ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2025 OFFICIAL DAY NATIONAL COVERAGE: PAULA M. KARLL: What You Need To Know About This Chicago Educator, Entrepreneur
Andre Johnson 
She considers a field before she buys or accepts it — expanding her business prudently — with her profits, she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard. (Proverbs 31:16 Amplified Bible)
HOLDIN’ IT DOWN
Paula M. Karll fielded the question as is she expected it.
“What makes my profession special is that it allows me to transform lives from the inside out, both in the classroom and in the salon,” Karll, during told Making Headline News this week as part its 2025 Essence Music Festival Official Day national coverage for “the party with a purpose” event July 3-7 in New Orleans.
To her credit, Karll has gone to great lengths in recent years to position herself mightily as someone who could be appropriately described as a serial entrepreneur, of sorts.
Based in Chicago, Karll boasts more than a decade of experience as an educator, all the while functioning in her divine element as an accomplished businesswoman in her own right.
SALUTING WOMEN WHO SHAPE OUR WORLD
ABOUT KARLL: https://www.paulamkarll.com/
Armed with more than 10 years in the beauty and hair restoration industry, Karll is the founder and owner of Shear Designs II and Hair Restoration and SD Beauty Emporium, a rising venture that customarily specializes in a wide range of hair restoration services and beauty products.
In essence, Karll’s immeasurable entrepreneur repertoire is such that she has been deemed a fixture for serving communities, particularly through literacy and wellness.
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Making Headline News’ International Women’s Day Woman of the Year for 2025, Karll is also the founder of Donate Knowledge, a Chicago-area nonprofit organization that promotes literacy by providing books to underserved communities. Interestingly enough, Karll has become a fixture to the education arena, most notably through working with diverse learners and special education students.
That’s not all.
Karll has garnered high praises for having built Shear Designs II and Hair Restoration and SD Beauty Emporium, using her distinct background in cosmetology and hair care to routinely support individuals experiencing hair loss.
“These two paths — education and wellness — reflect my passion for helping people grow, whether through knowledge or self-confidence,” Karll said. “In addition to being an educator and hair restoration specialist, I proudly wear many hats that reflect my commitment to empowerment, healing, and community service.”
Generally, as the face of Shear Designs II, Karll customarily provides non-surgical, personalized hair loss solutions using natural products, laser therapy, and individualized scalp analysis. As for SD Beauty Emporium, Karll routinely curates quality beauty and hair care products for various hair types, ensuring accessibility for underserved communities.
“Both ventures were built to not only serve a need but to restore confidence and wellness in my community,” Karll said.
An award-winning children’s author, Karll has composed three books to date, most notably The Adventures of Ellie and Eve: Ellie Meets A New Friend.
Karll acknowledged that The Adventures of Ellie and Eve: Ellie Meets A New Friend was written to share the importance of inclusion and the significance of kindness and empathy.
Conversely, Ellie Meets A New Friend embraces her new friend and helps her overcome hurdles, said Karll, introducing E-L-L-I-E, an acronym that is critical for caring and embracing a child’s unique abilities — one that is destined to provide what this gifted writer describes as a sense of Empathy, Love, Lionheartedness, Inclusivity, and Empowerment (E-L-L-I-E) spirit.
“I write books that focus on diversity, resilience, and empowerment,” Karll said. “My goal is to help children see themselves reflected in stories and to inspire self-love from an early age.”
Karll’s community involvement is centered in large part on mentoring young women and aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those who aspire to delve into the beauty and wellness space.
IN HER DIVINE ELEMENT
A devoted member of the Council for Exceptional Children, Black Caucus of the American Library Association, and Distinguished Author Guild, Karll serves on the board of South Holland Business Association.
“I frequently speak at schools, community events, and conferences on topics ranging from self-confidence and education to entrepreneurship and holistic hair health,” Karll said. “Everything I do is rooted in purpose, healing, and representation. Whether I’m behind the salon chair, in the classroom, writing a book, or giving back through community service, I’m focused on one mission: to uplift others through education, self-care, and empowerment.
Continued Karll:
“Success, to me, is about impact and alignment, impacting the lives of others while staying aligned with my purpose. It’s not just measured by income, titles, or accolades, but by how many lives I’ve uplifted, how much healing I’ve helped create, and how well I’ve remained true to who I am.
“If I can empower someone to feel confident in their skin, believe in their potential, or take one step closer to wholeness, that’s success. It’s about growth, legacy, and leaving every space better than I found it.”
WOMAN OF DIVINE EXCELLENCE
A RELATED STORY
For more information on Chicago author Paula M. Karll, to order her books, to schedule her for a public appearance, book signing or speaking engagement, call 847-957-6550 or connect with her via social media: @PaulaMKarll: LinkedIn; Instagram; Facebook: @The Adventures of Ellie and Eve. Send email to: Info@PaulaMKarll.
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WHAT’S YOUR STORY? If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, producer, author, athlete, musician, barber, life coach, motivational speaker, cosmetologist, tax preparer, model, or pastor/minister who is seeking exposure and would like to share your story with an in-depth news feature, call Reporter Andre Johnson at 901-690-6587 or Facebook message him under “Andre T. Johnson” for details.
Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to makingheadlinenews@gmail.com or to memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist or Instagram at @makingheadlinenews.
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