Dear Future Professionals,

You’re probably familiar with networking, but I’d like to expand on the concept. Instead of building a tower, where you try to network your way to the top, think of it as building a web. Unlike traditional networking, you get exponential access to everyone in your web, plus access to everyone in their webs.

Several years ago, I met NeCole Cumberlander, Melissa Yamaguchi, and Jill Kohler through our work in professional associations. When our official connection was ending, we decided to formalize our web. We meet three times a year for two- to three-day retreats. We also talk on the phone and e-mail each other often. Our retreats include a topic and a creative master to organize the event. We tap into our webs and invite people from different industries to shake things up and give us viewpoints from outside our professional world.

Forming a web is easy. Find two to five like-minded people and invite them to join you. Don’t try to force it. Just notice who’s around you and what they might have to offer. If you click with somebody, don’t wait for them to call you. Take responsibility; no relationship happens without follow through.

Having your own personal board of directors is priceless. You’ll be exposed to information, honest feedback, and access to each other’s webs. You can build a wonderful foundation for your business and personal life, and a safety net that will increase your self-esteem and help you accomplish your goals.

MELISSA JAQUA AND THE “HOLLYWOOD KIDS”
Scott Cunha, Theodore Leaf, Meagan Herrera


What do Scott Cunha, Meagan Herrera, and Theodore Leaf have in common? They’re all in their early 20s, they all graduated from Paul Mitchell Schools in 2004, and they’ve all used their networking skills to land dream jobs in Hollywood.


After graduating from Paul Mitchell The School, Rhode Island, Scott Cunha moved to California and hand-delivered his resume to every salon in Beverly Hills. He followed up with salon managers and stayed in touch until he landed a job at the Jonathan Salon. The position came with a prestigious perk: a role on the Bravo reality TV series, Blow Out. “Let them know your face,” Scott advises. “Call them. Be persistent.”


A graduate of Great Lakes Academy of Hair Design – A Paul Mitchell Partner School, Meagan Herrera always dreamed of working in Hollywood. Through a school-sponsored retail contest, Meagan won a trip to Los Angeles and a chance to work with hairstylist Dean Banowetz on American Idol. She impressed Dean so much that he advised her to work in a salon for six months and return to Hollywood as an American Idol intern. Meagan jumped at the chance, did a great job, and is now Dean’s assistant on American Idol.


Three weeks into classes at The Ohio Academy – A Partner Mitchell Partner School, Theodore Leaf attended a Chicago hair show where he went backstage and assisted Stephanie Kocielski and fashion stylist Stacey McNutt. Stacey pointed him to the IBS show, where he met makeup artist Debra Dietrich, who connected him with someone in California. After nine months in Los Angeles, Theodore has done hair for LA Fashion Week, the Kush Cush runway show, the Broadway tour of Annie, a Disney Channel commercial, and a host of celebrity private clients. He just completed his first music video with the Warp Tour band Every Time I Die. “Find those mentors,” Theodore says. “They’re going to want to talk to you.”

One of Theodore’s mentors is NAHA winner and industry veteran Melissa Jaqua, who wholeheartedly believes in the power of networking. “Theodore will call me up to see how I’m doing and I think, Oh wait a minute, I have that thing this weekend, I could totally use his help. ’Hey, do you want to help me?’ He’s gotten opportunities out of helping me that have helped him grow. You just have to keep on it.”


Melissa Jaqua and the “Hollywood Kids” share more networking secrets in this month’s brand-new new MASTERS interview. Whether you’re still in beauty school, launching your career, or a veteran hairdresser, you’re sure to get some great ideas for inspiring others or getting a fresh start in your own career.


If you enjoyed this month’s audio message, you’ll love our MASTERS Audio Club. CLICK HERE for more information.

SCHOOLS RAISE $437,000 FOR CHARITIES


In a true example of the charitable family environment created by Paul Mitchell Schools nationwide, over $437,000 was donated to four charities during the annual Paul Mitchell School Owners Summit.

With a mission to raise $50,000 to help provide mammograms for all women at Paul Mitchell schools across the country, breast cancer patient and Paul Mitchell The School employee Kate Caussey shared her story at the Owners Summit.
As $500 and $1,000 pledges came pouring in, Kate’s co-workers extended an impromptu invitation for audience members to show their personal support for Kate by having their heads shaved on stage. In just 40 minutes, 40 heads were shaved and $66,000 was raised for the American Cancer Society. Generous donations from Paul Mitchell CEO John Paul DeJoria, Paul Mitchell The School Dean Winn Claybaugh, Artistic Director Robert Cromeans, and television personality Leeza Gibbons brought the total to $100,000.

At the evening’s Magic of Memories dinner event supporting the Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation and Leeza Gibbons’ Alzheimer’s care centers (Leeza’s Place), Winn Claybaugh announced that the schools had raised a total of $332,000 in the past few months for the two charities. Great Lakes Academy from Port Huron, Michigan, set the bar by raising over $25,000.

“We are totally blown away again at the unbelievable spirit and generosity of the beauty professionals within the Paul Mitchell School system,” Leeza Gibbons said. “All of us at the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation consider ourselves to be truly blessed to have the honor of experiencing such powerful energy.”

The conference ended with guest speaker Catherine Ryan Hyde, author of the inspirational book Pay It Forward. As she finished her remarks, Winn Claybaugh presented a check for $5,000 to the Pay It Forward Foundation on behalf of the Paul Mitchell School family.

“Our Paul Mitchell School network believes that giving back is not just a once-a-year happening, it is our daily duty,” Winn said. “Our schools have been very blessed, and so it makes sense that we are passionately involved to raise lots and lots of money for many causes.”


CLICK HERE to download a poster of all the charities Paul Mitchell Schools have chosen to support.

JUST SAY YES TO CONNECTING
from Connecting to My Future
by Winn Claybaugh
Dean and Cofounder, Paul Mitchell The School




As a member of this exciting industry you must network with others. The more connected you are, the easier it will be to build your business and professional reputation.

• Connect with Your Salon. If you’re leaving school and entering a salon, get involved and support all salon activities right away. Say “yes” to participating in salon meetings, salon education, salon service promotions, and product launches. Help your salon connect with the community. Organize and support events such as fundraisers, fashion shows, consumer events, or simply have fun with a special salon day. Give back to your team and your community.
  
  
• Connect with the Professional Beauty Industry. There are a variety of shows produced by various groups, organizations, and companies. Manufacturer and distributor shows provide you with their interpretation of trends. Trade shows feature a variety of equipment, products, and educational companies all eager to sell their product supplies and tools. Specialty shows focus on hair color, makeup, esthetics, or nails. Shows are a wonderful way to network, learn about new trends, and connect with your professional community.
  
  
• Connect to Educational Resources. One of the most exciting things about the beauty industry is that it’s always changing and growing. Make it a goal to learn something new each month. Classes, industry books, trade magazines and newsletters, and online communities are just a few of the ways to expand your knowledge and vision while connecting with others in the beauty industry.
  
  
• Connect to a Professional Organization. Join a professional organization that provides education and support. Visit beauty-related Web sites and online communities.
  

The beauty industry offers many fun learning activities. All you have to do is show up and be open to learning from these experiences.

GIOIA SCHIMMER, CLASS OF 2005
Paul Mitchell The School, Costa Mesa


The following letter is a great example of the power of networking. It comes from Gioia Schimmer, a recent graduate from Paul Mitchell The School, Costa Mesa. Gioia used her networking skills to land a 22-page photo shoot in Transworld Surf Magazine (June 2006). Her letter shows how to contact a mentor and ask for advice. Notice how she introduces herself, describes her background, and makes a specific request.

VASILIOS “BILLY” VASSILAKIS, CLASS OF 2004
The Ohio Academy – A Paul Mitchell Partner School


As a teenager who loved music, Billy Vassilakis dreamed of being “the next Back Street Boy.” He moved to Florida, recorded a CD complete with backup singers, and even performed at the House of Blues and Hard Rock Live with his own backup dancers. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out as Billy planned and he moved back home to Cleveland where he didn’t know what to do with his life. Several family members in the beauty industry urged him to take a job as a salon receptionist. When he saw stylists molding and having fun with hair, Billy was hooked. He enrolled at the Ohio Academy – A Paul Mitchell Partner School and graduated in 2004.

Today Billy is a Learning Leader Advisor and a freelance stylist who’s done hair for actresses Shar Jackson and Renee Zellweger, 2005 Penthouse Model of the Year Martina Warren, and the Kush Cush bathing suit line (where he worked with Theodore Leaf). Billy believes his professional success is largely due to his networking skills and enthusiastic attitude. “After graduating, I went to Paul Mitchell’s Signature Gathering and showed my portfolio and business cards to the head designer of the Lola Dean clothing line,” he recalls. “She called a week later and asked me to be a master stylist for a runway show. I’m still working for her.”

Billy offers three great tips for anyone interested in starting or expanding their careers.

1. Practice networking skills while you’re in school. “It’s as easy as asking,” Billy says.
   
   
2. Attend shows and make your way backstage. “Wear your school T-shirt and name tag, bring your kit and portfolio, and be there bright and early,” Billy suggests. “Be well rested and enthusiastic. They always need help backstage and they’re so welcoming. Make it a point to let people know you’re interested.”
   
   
3. Choose mentors. “Mentors play a role in helping you become a better person and have a better career,” Billy says. “Find all the information you can about them and let them know they’ve affected your life. Talk to them. They’ll be happy to talk to you.”
   
   

   “Billy has always had energy and he knows how to use it to make someone’s day. That’s what his brilliance is. There’s no way you can be around Billy and not feel good.” — NeCole Cumberlander, Co-owner of the Ohio Academy – A Paul Mitchell Partner School