In a journey that began over 6 months ago, Federico student, Vanessa Torres, won a coveted spot into the elite Beacon program during PBA Beauty Week 2013. Beacon gives students an outlet to meet and learn from some of the most accomplished leaders in the industry.
With guest speakers such as Charles Marcus, Larry Curtis, Vivienne Mackinder, Geno Stampora, and many more… students were touched by the wisdom, and insight that these industry legends were willing to give them.
Saturday Meet and Greet
Geno Stampora hosted the weekend and started it off by introducing Michael Baker, Founder of The 2nd hand Scissor Project.
A few weeks prior to this weekend an email was sent to all Beacon students giving them the opportunity to receive a pair of shears passed down from Master Hairdressers. The students were asked to write a paper about an industry legend, and out of 60+ entries these were the winners.
Afterwards, Vanessa dove into her swag bag !
Contents Included: Two Pivot Point look books, PM Product, Session Bag, and The Official Beacon T-shirt.
After getting settled, Beacon goers were invited to the exclusive PBA Get together Party to meet and mingle with NAHA finalists and other industry celebrities.
Sunday Beacon Kick-Off
The morning started off with PBA’s Business Forum, which featured Arianna Huffington Founder and CEO of the Huffington Post. Arianna mentions that in today’s society, success is defined as money and power, where she recommends we enhance it by including health and well-being.
She also recommends creating a daily time to disconnect from all technology, and giving yourself time to really take in the world around you.
- Arianna Huffington at the PBA Business Forum
Geno Stampora Kicked-off the Beacon Education with his Four Basic Principles:
1.Be the person you were on the first day of school! Excited!
2. Never underestimate the power of inspiration. People that live an inspired life, have more potential of excellence.
3. Give 100% all the time.
4. Share only the good. Leave the bad behind.
Afterwards, Larry Curtis, owner of Taylor Andrews, said, “It’s not how good you are, it is how good you want to be.” Every Beacon student also received a copy of his DVD Mission: Possible.
- MISSION: POSSIBLE
In finishing Beacon for the day, and getting ready for our NAHA night, students closed with Charles Marcus who focused on Incredible Customer Service and Interaction with your Client.
- “Quality and Service will be remembered long after Price is forgotten.”
NAHA
With just an hour to rush back to the hotel and get ready, NAHA was the home stretch of this eventful day.
The Goldwell Team Artistic presentation was particularly inspiring. Federico utilizes the Goldwell Color system and the finished results were amazing.
Also a fun surprise was seeing Sherri Jessee win a NAHA for Editorial Stylist of the year. Vanessa took her editorial class at Federico just 2 weeks prior.
Monday
Monday started off with a inspirational session of Q&A with NAHA Finalists, Winners, previous Beacon winners, and celebrity Hairdressers.
- Stephanie Kocielski of JPMS
Maggie Mulhern accompanied Allison Shipley to the Beacon platform to share what Artists Sessions has to offer. Artist Session is for licensed salon professionals that want to learn how to do a photo shoot, how to maximize those photographs, how to amp up your profile.
- Modern Salons Artist Sessions.
Vivienne Mackinder ended Beacon with a Bang! Vivienne says,” Motivation gets you GOING, but Discipline keeps you GROWING.”
- Vivienne Mackinder
Finding a Mentor by Vivienne Mackinder:
1. Example: Builds credibility.
2. Experience: Been there.
3. Empathy: Understands the challenges.
4. Empowerment: Confidence
Needless to say, the weekend proved to be the opportunity of a lifetime for this Federico Student!