To see Part #1 of this article, click here.

If you are looking to find your own voice to speak up on issues that matter, our industry associations offer many ways to help you get involved … to weigh in as an advocate on local, regional, and national levels. Although there are many respected role models who collectively carve a path for our professional advancement, it’s now your turn to affect positive change among you and your peers.

The experienced advocates will tell you that when you wake up in the morning, take a look in the mirror and say … ‘It’s Up to Me!”  (not the other guy … you!) Start now to find your voice and encourage others to do the same. There is nothing more satisfying than to feel you have made a real contribution to the well-being and advancement of your proud profession. And, hey … speaking up and speaking out is ultimately good for business!

How YOU can speak up starts with researching the following professional industry organizations and learning how you can get involved on some meaningful level.

The Professional Beauty Industry (PBA) (national)

Join your beauty colleagues to help inform consumers and legislators on how technical trained and professional our industry is by downloading their Beauty Advocate Toolkit. It helps you to communicate on bills that could deregulate the industry. You can also sign up to receive text alerts so you can get involved and influence legislation at the state and federal levels.

The American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) (national)

Open to all privately owned schools of cosmetology, the AACS created ‘Don’t Cut Us Out’, an initiative in which they asked beauty school students to speak up and bring their voice to decision-makers, and to share why their educational choice matters. Also, why federal funding and financial aid is so important to realize their dreams.

Using the hashtag #DontCutUsOut, students taped themselves telling stories about what the beauty and wellness industry means to them. They found their voice … and now we can continue to support their passion and help them bring it to life by uplifting the industry, always.

The Professional Beauty Federation of California (PBFC) (state)

PBFC is the united voice for California’s beauty and barbering industry. Their mission is to raise the professionalism and public image of those making an honorable living in such a vibrant profession. Headquartered in Sacramento, their primary purpose is to influence public policy, regulations, and to promote positive public perceptions of this industry. PBFC supports professionals in the pursuit of their shared industry goals; this includes the independent salon owner, multi-salon owner, salon manager, hairstylist/colorist, nail artist, esthetician, electrologist, barber or school owner, instructor or student.

Contact Anne Moratto at anne.moratto@bobit.com