Why BEACON?

This is a short article I wrote that was just published by the Professional Beauty Association:

As I approach 25 years in the salon industry, the last 15
working with students, I see that the old adage “It’s not what you, know but who
you know”, has been replaced by “It’s not who you know,  it’s who knows you.”
Success in
both your life and career is about relationships. Relationships start with
making a connection, but more importantly the right connection. When starting
my career I was told “You’ll never make any money in the salon business.” Lucky
for me I realized that you don’t ask a homeless man if it’s possible to be rich
and you don’t take advice from failed stylists. If you want to know whether it
is possible to be a successful stylist, you talk with and learn from other
successful stylists. I worked hard to meet and learn from the best in the
industry. It was difficult and expensive finding the right mentors who were
willing to share their knowledge., but eventually I did find them and they gave
me the advice I needed to follow for success. Fortunately, today’s students
have an easier path because of the Professional Beauty Association’s Beacon
program. Beacon brings some of the industries best business and creative minds
together to mentor these future professionals.  As an independent school owner, I want my students to make
as many connections as possible so that they can expand their opportunities no
matter where they choose to pursue their career.  The connections they have made at Beacon have given them that
chance. Each of my students chosen for Beacon has returned with life changing
stories of mentoring, motivation and connecting with the best in the industry.
I have been so impressed with the quality of the program and the positive
experiences that it promotes, that 3 years ago I decided to become a sponsor. I
would recommend that any school owner or instructor encourage their students to
apply to be part of this career and life changing event.