Yesterday, I got to enjoy a few hours out of my regular work routine to help chaperone some of our students to the International Beauty Show. The event took place at the Jacob Javits Center from March 6th through 8th and featured cosmetology and esthetics’ vendors and exhibits from all around the world! Tuesday, March 8th was the designated “student day,” and over fifty Queens Empire students gathered to learn a thing or two at the convention.
Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect from the show. Many colleagues told me about the great deals on products, and the great speakers that would be there; but nothing prepared me for the immensity of the show! There were keratin treatments, highlighting demonstrations, eco-friendly blow dryers, vintage salon chairs for sale, models in wigs, models on stilts, models being tanned…You name it and they had it!
While I was happy to walk away with a couple of freebies, I also learned a lot from the industry’s top professionals.
Eve Pearl, a five-time Emmy Award winner, is a stylist to the stars. While she was demonstrating the art of creating the flawless bride, she also emphasized the importance of presenting yourself as offering not just a service, but being a well-rounded business. Why refer clients to another location for make-up or for waxing? Why not offer it all? Why not be the go-to person that your client needs for all of their beauty needs?
While Ted Gibson, celebrity hair stylist, seemed more full of himself than anything else, his gloating isn’t in vain. If the man can charge $950 a haircut and keep a clientele that includes Angelina Jolie, Zoe Saldana, Kate Gosselin and more, then he is obviously doing something right.
More than anything else, I learned about the importance of energy and direction from Ted and his proteges.
You have to know what you want.
You have to do more making less before you can do less making more.
I only do it because I love it.
These quotes are simple, yet they say a lot to any professional. Excelling in your career means you have to choose something that you can be dedicated to working hard at. You must love it, because the rewards will not always be abundant…but hard work does pay off!
The students and I had a great time at the IBS, and I can only hope that they got as much out of it as I did. While I still don’t think that cosmetology could ever be my forte, it was great to learn from some of the industry’s top professionals.
Benovic Bradley
As I have said before, my cosmetology know-how is zilch.
Without the help of the exceptional educators at Empire, one of whom was recently named Regional Educator of the Month, I would never get by with all of the questions that customers ask.
Despite my ignorance when it comes to anything perm, flat-iron or hair-dying related, I do know that the students of Ms.Long’s evening class recently threw a stunning hair battle that captivated a salon floor full of guests.
Friends, family members, students and educators gathered last Wednesday to watch as students showcased hair, make-up and costume stylings that really were out of this world; quite fit to the theme of the battle.
Before each model marched out in her unique do, pieces of spoken word were recited to set the stage. A live music intermission kept the crowd pumped throughout the show, and after ticket and concession sales, the class raised close to $400 towards the Future Pro Expo.
At the rate we’re going, Queens is sure to be a viable contender at the Expo this year. I can’t wait to see what themes the classes come up with. I just hope the other schools are ready for us!
Benovic Bradley
