"Unite, Engage and Grow": Georgia Alliance for Aesthetic Professionals

panelists for Q & A

On August 30th, I had an amazing experience. I had the opportunity to be among the first to witness the greatness that was involved with the first GAAP conference. The Georgia Alliance for aesthetic professionals was founded by Kimberly Russell and Kali Waldron out of a desire to raise the bar of professionalism within the aesthetic industry, particularly within the state of Georgia.

As I sat in the audience and listened intently to the Q& A session with the panelists, whom collectively have over 50 years of experience in the industry, I was very much educated. It was through these women that I was able to see and create a clearer vision of what the profession of aesthetics is all about. These women made it very clear that the profession of skin care is not to be put in a box, or under one generic label, but it’s range of possibilities is quite expansive. As I took notes, one point was made very clear to me from each and everyone is that of continuing education. Many of he people in the industry of skin care & beauty hold education in high esteem. Once a person has made the initial decision to go through technical schooling to begin their career as a skin care therapist, it is pertinent to realize that it doesn’t stop there after graduation.

Kimberly Russell and panelist Q & A

As I sat there soaking up the information that they were offering, I felt so very happy to be joining the industry that has been trail blazed by such inspirational women as Lynn Ross. Founder of Institut DERmed, Sona Martinez a master makeup artist and medical esthetician. These women took their knowledge and passion and created wonderful careers for themselves.

These women on the panel have raised the bar in the industry and are committed to helping others to do the same. Inspiring all in the industry to realize that aesthetics is not just a hobby of cleaning faces, but a life changing and meaningful work.

SIGH.....graduation can't come soon enough for me.

*If you would like to know more about GAAP follow this link www.gaaestheticalliance.org

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Keeping our girls healthy

his past weekend we held our first ever community event. We partnered with the Atlanta Chapter of Tamika and friends to educate women young and mature of the dangers of HPV and it’s link to cervical cancer.

HPV is the abbreviated term for the Human Papilloma Virus, a sexually transmitted disease that is the cause of cervical cancer. We began our event with the beautiful Kenya Hughes, who told the very inspiring story of her dear friend Tamika who at the age of 25 had been diagnosed with Cervical Cancer and given a 15 % chance of survival. After receiving a radical hysterectomy and beating the odds, Tamika pulled through and became an activist for educating young women about this type of cancer that is preventable. Through her passion for life and efforts in spreading valuable information a wonderful organization has been born. Tamika and Friends is responsible for giving women hope, encouragement and a means to make ends meet during a difficult time in their lives when they may have felt that all hope was lost.

Every one that was at the event was able to learn something new. Each woman walked away feeling inspired by the various stories that was shared. We learned that we cannot take things such as youth and health for granted. We were reminded that there are always consequences to our actions. Most importantly, each woman learned the value of teaching what they learned that day to other women in their lives. Young , old, lesbian or heterosexual, monogamous or promiscuous, no one is immune and education is the key to preventing this virus from spreading.

What was especially beautiful, was the connections that were made because we were together that day. Working relationships were strengthened and new business ties were formed. We were able to share our light with others and vice versa. At the end of the meeting we had the privelege of providing therapy for a few of our guests, it was truly a special moment.

For more information about Tamika and Friends go to www.tamikaandfriends.com

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