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| Bodyworks Institute’s massage team members shown here providing chair massages |
When you want Capitol Hill to understand your business,
you need to welcome Congress into your world. So, that’s exactly what the
Professional Beauty Federation (PBF) did recently when members set up shop in
Washington, D.C. and threw a salon party for the members of Congress and their
staffs.
In just two hours, volunteer hairstylists, nail technicians
and massage therapy students, including staff of The Salon Association(TSA)
salons, the Bodyworks Institute, a Division of Potomac Academy of Hair Design,
and OPI educators, performed more than 200 services, including hair cuts, styles
and consultations, mini-manicures and chair massages. During the services, they
also talked about issues of importance to them, including passage of HR 2100
(the anti-tampering legislation), the potential of a Tip/Tax Credit, the labor
shortage and the Department of Education’s negative bias toward cosmetology
education, which hurts those interested in a cosmetology career, as well as
the salons that face a critical shortage of staff.
In addition, the PBF board members from American Beauty
Association (ABA), American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), Beauty
and Barber Supply Institute (BBSI), International Chain Salon Association (ICSA),
National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS), The
Salon Association (TSA) and OPI nail care chatted with guests over refreshments
between services to provide an in-depth understanding of industry issues.
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| TSA'sJill Kohler with REpresentative Matt Salmon (R-AZ) |
"I enjoy supporting the PBF and attending its events to learn more about the issues that are important to my constituents because AACS, BBSI and TSA, as well as several salon industry companies are based in my state," said Representative Matt Salmon (R-AZ), who with Lee Huff, his Chief of Staff, received a mini-manicure and chair massage. It was their second PBF reception.
Every other industry in the country seems to be hosting events for members of Congress. But our event was unique and fun, says Jill Kohler, executive director of TSA. "Washington doesn’t always expect fun, so when we personally welcomed them, escorted them to their salon/spa hosting events for members of Congress. But our event was unique and fun, says Jill Kohler, executive director of TSA. "Washington doesn’t always expect fun, so when we personally welcomed them, escorted them to their salon/spa service and began to see them relax, that was when the impact was made. These lawmakers and key staff understood the salon industry and emphasis on small business, and they were touched by our ability to enhance their lives. In addition, our volunteers not only got to meet lawmakers in person, but also they had a sense of pride in knowing that they were helping to make a difference in the future of our industry. This event was a huge let me say it again, huge success!"
Adds Mark Gross, President of the PBF, "Every time salon owners and cosmetologists, or anyone from the industry, personally tells a Congressional staffer how an issue affects them and their ability to conduct business, it brings that issue to life. In addition, when we tell them how many constituents, read voters, our industry represents, they understand the influence the professional salon industry will have as we mobilize at the grass roots level."
In fact, the PBF represents 27,000 independent and chain salons employing 270,000 licensed beauty professionals who see more than 400 million client visits per year. PBF membership also includes 1,200 cosmetology schools, 80,000 cosmetology students, 400 product distributors and 700 manufacturers of products sold in professional salons. As beauty professionals become more politically active on national, state and local levels, those numbers will be increasingly important with a strong impact.
"What excited me about this event more than anything else was how well our salon owner members handled it," said Frank Zona, TSA president. They understand the need to be involved in the political process because we’re affected by so many regulations. No one should ever underestimate the political savvy of a TSA member.
PBF member OPI provided all of the nail products, displays and gifts for the goodie bags, as well as an educator who pitched in to do manicures. In addition, showing the groundswell of industry participation in the PBF, the following companies donated products and/or equipment to the event: Action Bag & Display, American Crew, Burmax Company, Davidson Beauty Supply, Gordon Phillips Beauty Schools, and Schoeneman Beauty Supply.
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| PBF "salon party" was a success on Capitol Hill |
Meeters/Greeters
Peggy Hatter, Mad Hatters Impressi~ns Salons
Ross Lloyd, Natural Nails
Maryann Luongo, Maryann Terese Salon
Sheila McGurk, Circe Day Spa and Wellness Center
Mirin Phool, Salon Vogue and Day Spa
John Rutherford, Classic Images
Chris Slade, The Image Enhancement Center
Dough Webster, Hidden Oasis
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| Staff member shown here receiving a manicure. |
Nail Technicians
Gail Arrigton, OPI nail care
Sharon Fairbrother, Bazzak Salon and Day Spa
Cathy Johnson, Avatar Salon and Wellness Center
Melody Lloyd, Natural Nails of Milwaukee
Diane McConnell, Zona Salons
Jami Ndyoe, Mad Hatter Impressi~ns Salons
Sandy Polpeter, Mad Hatter Impressi~ns Salons
Tomika Williams, Exquisite Nails for You
Sabrina Wright, M & M Nails and Wellness Center
Hairstylists
Sonja Armet, Salon Vogue and Day Spa
Daniel Bensimon, Le Shoppe
Michaul Bui, Hidden Oasis
Roxanne Bunn, Mad Hatter Impressi~ns Salons
Melanie Foote, Fabulous Finishes
Kym McGee, Circe Day Spa and Wellness Center
Marzi Mohammadi, Bazzak Salon and Day Spa
Sasha Rash, La Jolie
Amy Roberts, The Gallery Family Salon
Pamela Roberts, The Gallery Family Salon
Connie Webster, Hidden Oasis
Stephen Welsh, Salon Vogue and Day Spa
Mikki Wright, Fabulous Finishes
Body Works Institute's Massage Team
(Featured at top of this article)
Tom Galvin
Veronica Haileysus
Richard Hughes
Joel Jackson
Juanita Massie
Michael Nicotra
Gina Swails
Ocba Tsegay
For more information or to join PBF, call (703) 600-7600, ext.33.