I was so excited to meet Amy Masters (right) and Anita Hug-Jones (left) at our Philadelphia Networking Event. 
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I was so excited to meet Amy Masters (right) and Anita Hug-Jones (left) at our Philadelphia Networking Event.

I recently took my first MasterClass. I signed up when I saw that Vogue’s legendary editor-in-chief Anna Wintour would be talking about creativity and leadership. Here are some of the takeaways from the class that resonated with me the most — and that I think can be applied to doing nails as well:

On being a leader:
• Own your decisions
• You are nothing without a good team
• Surround yourself with people you enjoy and whose opinions and tastes you respect
• Have as diverse a group of people around you as possible
• Learn to love a surprise
• When hiring, think of it as investing in an ambassador for you and your business
• Feedback should be fast and direct
• Empower your collaborators and team
• A lazy atmosphere costs energy and confidence
• Be prepared, be clear, be yourself
• Be decisive, but decide with grace, humor, and strength
• Not everyone will always agree with you
• Passion and conviction are key
• Data can’t tell you everything
• Don’t be frightened by mistakes
• Don’t become too removed
• Bold initiatives take time
• Investing in your industry pays dividends

Me with session manicurist and educator Julie Kandalec. 
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Me with session manicurist and educator Julie Kandalec.

On being a creative:
• Have a strong vision
• Act like no one is telling you “no”
• Create something someone can connect to instantly
• Use every opportunity to develop your creative eye
• People expect change, so don’t get stuck in your old ways
• It is naive to think that you only have one type of customer who wants to be spoken to through one medium

Even if you’re a one-woman show in the salon, you can prove to be a leader in your industry and community. Oftentimes, it seems like the person who speaks loudest is the perceived leader. But it’s the substance of what’s being said and how it’s voiced that ultimately make someone stand out. 

Our networking event sponsors, Revel Nail and industry leader Maisie Dunbar (far left).  
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Our networking event sponsors, Revel Nail and industry leader Maisie Dunbar (far left). 

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