J U LY 2 0 1 5 N A I L P R O . C O M 137136 N A I L P R O J U LY 2 0 1 5

Boost your career by joining an industry organization.

B y Tr a c y M o r i n

OU KNOW THE OLD SAYING: THERE IS POWER IN NUMBERS. Thousands of nail techs, salon and spa owners, licensed beauty professionals, manufacturers and other advocates embody this philosophy through their work with nail industry organizations. Dedicated to networking opportunities, governmental advocacy, advanced education and busi-ness guidance, among other issues, these associations work to better the beauty industry as a whole. Whether you’re a salon owner, booth renter, spa employee, master pedicurist or anything in between, you can find an alliance that’s best for you. Here, we present some of the major organiza-tions in the industry, along with how and why you should get involved.

YBY ASSOCIATION

Beauty P

HO

TO: G

ETT

Y IM

AG

ES

/WE

STE

ND

61

● ● ●

International Nail Technicians Association● ● ● americasbeautyshow.com

About: Established in 2000 as the Illinois Nail Techs Association, the International Nail Techni-cians Association (INTA) helps nail technicians grow professionally by providing education and networking opportunities, plus up-to-date information on fashion, trends and techniques as

well as standards and ethics guidelines. “We’re the voice of the nailcare industry,” says Christie Smaidris, director of operations for the Chicago, Illinois-based association.Accomplishments: “INTA protects, builds and drives the salon industry by monitoring and lobbying for professional licenses while providing advanced education and scholarships,” explains Smaidris. “It’s our mission to give back by educating all pros, mem-bers and nonmembers alike, as well as improving the profession by helping those in need. The organization is also responsible for producing America’s Beauty Show, held annually in Chicago.

Take Action: Annual membership is $35 for students and $115 for licensed techs. All members score free admission to America’s Beauty Show to discover the latest products and techniques, apply for scholarships for advanced education and can attend any educational event to obtain hours for license renewal for only $10.

International SPA Association● ● ● experienceispa.com

About: In 1990, a group of spa professionals came together for a symposium at New Age Health Spa in Neversink, New York, and unwittingly formed the frame-work for the International SPA Association (ISPA). One year later, the first ISPA Conference attracted 150 attendees from 10 countries. “The need for a guiding voice in the industry led to the development of what was then called the Interna-tional SPA and Fitness Association,” says Allie Hembree, public relations manager for the Lexington, Kentucky-based organization. “ISPA advances the spa industry by providing educational and networking opportunities, promoting the value of the spa experience, and fostering professionalism and growth.”Accomplishments: ISPA partners with the Professional Beauty Association for government advocacy, undertakes spa industry research to advance its members’ knowledge, and hosts an annual conference with education and product exhibits. The organization also offers a job bank and provides educational opportunities, including online webinars.Take Action: Members obtain access to research, data, networking opportunities, scholarships and more. The organization notes that, on average, ISPA members’ revenue is more than 2.5 times higher than nonmem-ber spas, with more than double the client visits. Memberships are typically company-based, but ISPA offers an annual individual membership for educators, $132, and students, $93.

ATECH TESTIMONIAL

“Being a member of a credible association can be a great tool in helping you grow in your career. Organizations such as INTA offer a variety of CEU classes to keep nail technicians up on innovation and education. Plus, these organizations can be key in networking and finding other technicians that can be helpful in a mentoring role.”— Amber Edwards, nail director at Mario Tricoci Salons and Day Spas in Chicago

PH

OTO

: G

ETT

Y I

MA

GE

S P

LUS

/IS

TOC

K/B

AIB

AZ

138 N A I L P R O J U LY 2 0 1 5 J U LY 2 0 1 5 N A I L P R O . C O M 139

Professional Beauty Association● ● ● probeauty.org

About: The Scottsdale, Arizona-based Professional Beauty Association (PBA) Government Affairs (GA) team works to advocate for the rights of industry members—tracking, introducing and responding to legislation at state and federal levels of government.Accomplishments: The GA department houses resources, including information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the IRS and voter resources, the Nail Manufacturers Council on Safety Publications as well as the State Legislation Blog, which features up-to-date information on current and active state legislation that affects the industry. Take Action: “PBA’s GA team manages advocacy programs for licensed professionals and provides ways for them to share their voices with decision mak-ers across the United States,” says Bridget Sharpe, manager of government affairs for the PBA. The as-sociation edu-cates industry professionals about how to get involved, how the state legislative pro-cess works and how to become the best advocate for the beauty industry, includ-ing the PBA State Captain program. (State Captains are trained to monitor legislation affecting the beauty industry in their home state, then forward action alerts to col-leagues, coworkers and networks.) Finally, the “I Am a Professional. I Am Licensed.” movement was started by the PBA to shed more light on the issue of deregulation. After signing up, licensed professionals receive a clear window cling with the tagline “I Am a Professional. I Am Licensed. Join the Move-ment!” to display as well as information about the importance of regulating the industry and keeping licenses up-to-date to share with cli-ents. Annual membership is $20 for students and $50 for licensed techs.

ATECH TESTIMONIAL

“The PBA has an abundance of resources and people who are more than willing to help you navigate the inner work-ings of state capitols. If they don’t know the answer, they will find someone who will or they will have ideas on how to get past a roadblock.” — Kollan Kolthoff, licensed cosmetologist and PBA State Captain in West Des Moines, IA

International SalonSpa Business Network● ● ● salonspanetwork.org

About: The International SalonSpa Business Network (ISBN) was established in 1974 as the International Chain Salon Association to provide a global voice for multi-location salons and spas. “ISBN is dedicated to helping its members grow their businesses, affect positive change politically, provide a forum for mem-bers to share their views and ideas, and interface with the professional beauty industry,” says Valorie Reavis, executive director for the Belmont Shore, California-based organization. “We’re committed to improving the professional beauty industry’s image, making it a better place for professionals.”Accomplishments: The ISBN’s government rela-tions committee works on members’ behalf to create positive changes in federal and state laws, policies, procedures and perceptions, interacting with Con-gress, the IRS and other government agencies. ISBN also assists members with being elected to their state board of cosmetology and is a founding member of the Professional Beauty Federation and the Beauty Industry Working Group, which supports cosmetology licensing.Take Action: ISBN is open to owners and senior management of multi-unit salons and spas, and offers three tiers of membership: Regular, Associate and Affiliate. (Member fees are based on a company’s sales numbers.) Members share ideas, solve problems, garner advice and learn from one another’s real-world experiences, while the organization reports on the latest industry news, including political issues and how to boost business, in its monthly newsletter, Link Up. What's more, ISBN’s annual conference features speakers, educational workshops, roundtable forums, supplier meetings and networking. P

HO

TO:

GE

TTY

IMA

GE

S/S

TON

E/D

AV

ID L

EW

IS T

AYLO

R

Fight for Your Rights ● ● ● TECHS CAN GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH LAWMAKERS AT THE PROFESSIONAL BEAUTY FEDERATION (PBF) Welcome To Our World, an annual event that takes place on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, in September. “One of Capitol Hill’s most popular learning events, a salon featuring complimentary haircuts and mini-manicures is created and staffed by professional volunteers, while members of Congress and their staff learn about the professional industry’s key issues, including access to cosmetology education and financial aid, consumer protection, equitable taxation and small business support,” says PBA manager of government affairs Bridget Sharpe. Industry volunteers and contributors are the driving force behind this event, and licensed nail technicians from across the country can volunteer. Techs get the chance to talk one-on-one with members of Congress and their staff while providing mini-manicures and volunteers receive a thank-you gift bag with products from donor companies. To learn more, visit probeautyfederation.org.

International Pedicure Association● ● ● pedicureassociation.org

About: The International Pedicure Association (IPA) was established in 2004 by the late Dr. Dennis Arnold, D.P.M., to increase awareness and standards of sanitation in nail salons. Its mission is to advocate, educate and support nail technicians in North America as the only association dedicated solely to the needs and support of the pedicurist.

Accomplishments: The Fayetteville, North Carolina-based organization offers free monthly educational webinars given by medical and industry experts (which can be viewed anytime online), as well as support through sanitation protocols, client forms, pertinent articles and a gallery of images of foot issues. The IPA also offers access to an advi-sory board of experts for questions regarding foot conditions or business issues.Take Action: Annual membership is $75 for students, $150 for licensed techs and $350 for salons. All members receive discounts on industry products and advanced education through IPA

corporate partners. Says Suzanne Foote, executive director of the IPA, “Membership in a professional association shows the customer that the technician is committed to advanced education and the highest level of customer care.”

ATECH TESTIMONIAL “I became a member of the IPA in 2005 after attending a class given by Dr. Arnold that demonstrated the importance of pedicures and referrals to a medical practitioner. For me, the greatest benefit of membership is the free monthly educational webi-nars, which cover everything from cancer and diabetic clients to men’s pedicures.”— Betty Jackson, mobile tech in Nashville, TN

Tracy Morin is a freelance writer and editor based in Oxford, MS.

Industry volunteers and

contributors are the driving

force behind the Welcome To Our World

event.

PH

OTO

: ©

ISTO

CK

PH

OTO

.CO

M