Freelance makeup artists, hairstylists, fashion stylists, and manicurists are in for some intense business education and enlightenment at the PYP Freelance Business Development Summit. Hosted by marketing coach and former agent Crystal Wright, the summit is being held April 18-20 in Stamford, Conn., and promises to be inspiring and informative, featuring over 30 interactive workshops presented by 25 beauty, fashion and style experts, and business professionals. Speakers include beautyblender creator Rea Ann Silva, Hair Rules author and hair care line creator Anthony Dickey, Emmy Award-winning makeup artist Kevin James Bennett, celebrity makeup artist Monifa Mortis, and freelance taxation specialist Susan Lee. The event seeks to empower freelance beauty and fashion pros with entrepreneurship tools, skills, and better business practices.

For two decades, event founder and organizer, Crystal Wright, has helped thousands of freelance artists embrace entrepreneurship through her portfolio building and marketing classes. “Artists kept asking for more business education, so I created the Summit,” says Wright. “We are preparing freelance artists to thrive as business professionals. They’re out there on their own and they need help.” Business, finance, marketing, writing, and PR classes will help artists take advantage of opportunities, overcome obstacles, employ better negotiation skills, and present themselves more professionally to potential clients. “Some of the greatest challenges these artists face is managing business politics, booking consistent projects, and negotiating rates that reflect their worth,” she says. “The PYP Business Development Summit was created to enhance the business knowledge of working beauty and fashion professionals and raise the bar for a new generation.”

Registration for the summit is now open. Classes, caucuses, discussion forums, and networking mixers are offered from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Class admission prices range from $29-$119, and special rates are available for one-, two-, and three-day passports. To learn more, visit www.pypsummit.com.