SOMA Businesswoman With ADHD Overcomes Childhood Learning Struggles

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Ampy Moreno has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). As a child, she struggled in school. She was told she’d “never amount to much” because of her learning disability.

But instead of letting the criticism shrink her ambitions, Moreno has learned how to harness her hyper-focus and abundant energy to open her own salon in South Orange.

Take that, naysayers.

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Moreno, who recently opened Artistry Salon in South Orange, said that she wasn’t diagnosed with ADHD until she was an adult.

“I always struggled in school and was told that I wouldn’t amount to much because I was so hyper and distracted,” Moreno recalled. “What I really needed to be told was that I’m just as smart as everyone else even though I learn differently.”

Now Moreno's business employs six people, including her sister, Heysel, who she said was “an integral part” of helping get the salon up and running.

Moreno is also a parent advocate for Understood.org, an online community and resource for parents of children with learning and attention issues.

“I want the opening of my salon to serve a symbol of success for my son, who also has a learning and attention issue,” she said.

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