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Building Our Future
Beauty Changes Lives Foundation LIVE in Chicago!
Written by: Doug Smith Photo’s: Courtesy of the Beauty Changes Lives FoundationI was thrilled to attend the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation event at the America’s Beauty Show in Chicago last month. The goal of the event was to provide a glimpse of what the future could hold for the attending students. As expected, Beauty Changes Lives over delivered on their promise and did more than support future industry stars, they reminded us all how beauty has changed lives on a global level.
Here are a few “stand out” moments from the show The event opened with a short video featuring Johnny Wright – Michelle Obama’s hairdresser. His message was brief, but powerful:“We have the power of yes! Be open to growth, stay focused and learn your craft. Find the best mentor you can and you’ll succeed.”
– Johnny Wright
As I watched the video, I was reminded how important it is to never forget to learn, grow and find our power of yes. I was instantly transported back to a comment made to me early in my career. A mentor stated that beauty is journey without an ending. If you feel like you’ve achieved everything you can, then take a class! Those were powerful words of wisdom that I’ve never forgotten. Next, industry veterans including Kim Vo and Charles Marcus shared their life stories and how beauty changed their lives.“I was a refugee and came to America with very little money or promise for the future – then I entered this wonderful profession and Beauty Changed My Life!”
– Kim Vo
“I grew up in England with a debilitating speech impediment and was teased and treated as an outcast by the other children in my class. Then I discovered beauty, and the community welcomed me with open arms – I was in heaven! After school, I was lucky enough to get a job as an assistant at Vidal Sassoon. Shortly after I started, Vidal himself came to the salon for a visit. As he greeted the other assistants and asked them about their inspiration I was terrified! I knew I would embarrass myself with my terrible stutter. When he came to me, I couldn’t get my name out and hung my head in shame. Mr. Sassoon then took my hand, held his mouth very close to my ear and gently said – “don’t worry, I have all day.”
It was at that moment I realized that life is not about the number of breaths you take, its’ about the moments that take your breath away! I am a hairdresser and Beauty Changed My Life!”
– Charles Marcus
Peter Coppola also shared words of encouragement.“You have the power to change someone’s life. When a client sits in your chair and asks you to “Make Them Feel Beautiful,” you touch them in a much deeper way than simply styling their hair.”
– Peter Coppola
Fabio Sementilli, VP of Education at Wella, shared a powerful quote form Martin Luther King Jr.“I want to suggest some of the things that should begin your life’s blueprint. Number one should be a deep belief in your own dignity, your worth and your own somebodiness. Secondly, you must have as a basic principle the determination to achieve excellence in your endeavor. You’re going to be deciding what your life’s work will be. Set out to do it well.”
– Martin Luther King Jr.*
Jan Arnold, Co-Founder and Style Director of CND, eloquently spoke of global beauty and excellent customer care.“As cosmetologists, you can do it all! Total beauty! A hair, skin and nail color consultation for a client is the ultimate service!”
– Jan Arnold
There were many more amazing moments of inspiration designed to encourage and acknowledge the students in attendance. What most impressed me is the necessity of every working beauty professional to remain humble and reflective of our journey and how beauty has truly changed our lives. That said, the most important gift we can give is to serve as a mentor to the many new professionals in our industry. Be a part of Changing Their Life. Give back the Beauty That Has Changed Your Life and keep our profession unified in growth and support. That is where HAIRDRESSERPOWER comes from, and that is what will keep us all moving forward. To learn more about the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation and to get involved, visit http://www.beautychangeslives.org/ *To read the entire Martin Luther King Jr. “What Is Your Life’s Blueprint?” speech, go to: http://mhvpus.weebly.com/3/post/2010/01/martin-luther-king-jr-what-is-your-lifes-blueprint.html