Choose Beauty

Digital Content Strategist Nicole Davis talks with Sreynin Peng, celebrity nail artist with more than 20 years of experience in the industry, about her career and how she got to where she is today.  

Topics Discussed: 

• Serynin’s beginnings in the nail industry.  
• Her top three pieces of advice for young nail techs.  
• The best ways to set goals for yourself.  

A Mizani Technical Educator, a Certified Trichologist, stylist and colorist, Evie Johnson’s career was realized through profound commitment, tremendous grit and despite overwhelming odds.

An inspiring and uplifting communicator, Evie educates beauty professionals and helps them get to the next level. Her multi-faceted career includes teaching all over the world, working on set at editorial photoshoots, and continuing the joy of being in the salon, working one-on-one, with clients.

This year, Evie is a finalist in the North American Hairdressing Awards (NAHA). She shares how she was determined to NOT give up and what it means to her to see her perseverance and passion pay off.

Stephen Moody is currently the Education Director - North America for the Wella Company. His entire career, he has worked to help stylists have successful, long-term careers.

Stephen has developed a proprietary Wella Professional cutting methodology called “Wella Cut Craft.” This system shares how to approach cutting hair with purpose and intent, which opens up limitless creative possibilities. This approach arms stylists with the intellectual and creative tools to increase their earning potential over an entire career.

Stylist and blonding specialist Gabie Vossler has moved and rebuilt her clientele several times in the last ten years. It’s always a challenge, but she has learned ways to make it easier, along the way. This year, she moved during the coronavirus pandemic and had to start from scratch—find a salon home, rebuild her clientele, and establish herself.

We talk about:

· How she prepared for her move with research and reaching out.

· Why she connects with local television stations, editors, and websites to get her name out.

· The questions she asks at every salon interview.

Missy Peterson, director of global education and artistry at Malibu C, started as a stylist and moved from the salon into a position inside a beauty manufacturer. It was her experience as a stylist that helps her design education that would really be valuable to hairdressers and create products that will make a stylist’s life better and more profitable.

We talk about:

• How she came to Choose Beauty as a career.

• The things she didn’t learn in beauty school but wishes she had.

• Product development and where she looks for inspiration.

• How you can connect with a beauty brand that interests you

In the early spring of this year, we felt panicked. Then we started to slowly figure out how to live and work around COVID-19 concerns. Now, we have more of a sense of the landscape, of what we’re up against, so how do we keep moving forward?  How do you stay in the game when you’ve lost clients? And where are there still opportunities for growth for a salon professional?

We hear from two experts who have made a career out of inspiring stylists and helping them find their way.

Britt Seva is a business and marketing strategist for hair stylists. She launched her trademark hair stylist business education program, Thrivers Society, in 2014, and has coached thousands of stylists and salon owners to build wealthy businesses and lives.

While born into a world-famous British hairdressing family, Nicholas French forged his own path. His styling work has been seen on magazine covers, he’s styled hair for motion pictures, runway, and video, and Nicholas has produced thousands of shows, introducing hair trends and techniques in over 25 countries. He’s won numerous awards and continues to share his artistry and his enthusiasm in intimate seminars. Listen to his amazing journey in beauty.

Carlos Valenzuela returns with some commonsense advice on managing your money, specifically geared to the stylist. No confusing terms or overwhelming tasks to perform; just three things you can do, right now, to get a handle on your money situation. A stylist, educator, school owner, and influencer, Carlos has dedicated his career to helping stylists be successful.

Email Carlos at chalevale45@gmail.com.

After working in the medical field, Nick Stenson, the SVP of Services and Trend, Ulta Beauty, decided he wanted to change lives, not necessarily save them.  And beauty would be how he’d go about it.  Inspired by watching his mother transform her clients and bring a smile to every face, Stenson moved forward, never anticipating his future work (in print, TV, runway) or that he’d be in a leadership position, helping to transform the beauty industry by being a champion of diversity and inclusion.

Sam Villa is co-founder of Sam Villa (Allvus, LLC), and an award-winning educator, platform artist, and Redken Global Artistic Ambassador. To support the stylist community, Villa has created the Sam Villa and Friends Socialathon, a 12-hour fundraising event. “I’ve never felt a greater need to collectively reach out to such an important group of friends and call for unified action to support our industry,” Villa says.

Industry icon Sonya Dove prioritizes inspiration, education, and mentorship for her stylist community. Wella Professionals Global Ambassador, Ulta Beauty Pro Team Member, and Hair Dreams Ambassador. Dove has received countless industry awards including Master Hairstylist of the Year and the International Icon of the Year. We spoke with her while she is in her home in Mexico, during the COVID-19 lockdown, and she shares that she will be returning to work in a very different way.

Carlos Valenzuela is a hairdresser/educator, ex-salon and school owner, author, and corporate spokesperson with forty-five years of beauty experience. His focus today is raising wellness awareness and assisting salon professionals in developing a fulfilling career.

Britt Seva is a business and marketing strategist for hair stylists. Her passion is helping hairdressers uncover the missing pieces in their marketing strategy and helping them turn social media followers into guests. In this interview, she talks about doing a social media audit of your social platforms.

Karen Gordon is the President of Cosmetologists Chicago, a salon owner, and industry leader. We spoke to her about how the COVID-19 crisis might shape the future of the beauty industry and how it could encourage a coming together of the many different players.

We spoke with professional beauty coach and consultant, Joanne Magana, who has a wealth of experience in helping stylists and salon owners manage their business, even in tough times. Listen to her thoughts on taking this time to look at your brand, on giving back, and how this crisis will change the salon industry--and for the better.