Bridging Beauty and Business
the evolution of “glow & Grow” events
building business relationships
Through my impactful Glow Gatherings, I've had the privilege of connecting with diverse communities around the world, unearthing a deeper need that extends beyond mental health support and confidence boosting. It became crystal clear there was a profound hunger for practical job skills and life skills training. Answering this heartfelt community calling, my team and I enthusiastically developed "Glow & Grow" events. This realization truly crystalized thanks to the Principal of Las Margaritas School, who saw my masterclass not just as a beauty workshop, but as a golden opportunity for her young students to acquire vital job and life skills. Knowing many might not matriculate to college, she was incredibly excited for me to share my knowledge as a means to empower her students to potentially earn a living for themselves. It was with this invaluable feedback I truly saw my events in a new light, as a business opportunity, not just beauty empowerment workshops—and that, for me, was the genuine evolution of our "Glow & Grow" events.
These unique gatherings go beyond the brush, blending the transformative power of beauty with essential business acumen, creating a holistic approach to empowerment. In fact, our inaugural Glow & Grow event in Panama was made possible thanks to a key member of my nonprofit team, who leveraged her business relationship with Chris Lenz, CEO and Founder of La Compañía Hotels & Resorts. As a result, La Compañía Hotels & Resorts became a vital Community Partner, with their top ownership and financial teams, including Mr. Lenz and Fidel Reyes, Managing Director, directly advocating with the Panamanian government school on my behalf. Their support in introducing my mission, sharing my vision, and championing my spirit of social entrepreneurship was instrumental in bringing this first-ever business workshop to the school.
This event was truly months in the making! From the high-level meetings conducted by Mr. Lenz and Mr. Reyes to the countless daily communications my Atlanta-based team had with Hotel La Compañía del Valle Lead Concierge, Philippus Minnie, every detail was carefully woven together. This incredible collaboration allowed me to personally learn how to leverage relationships, build new networks within foreign corporations, and gain invaluable insights into Panamanian culture, its educational system, and local politics. While I initially set out to teach skills, I was incredibly honored and privileged to learn from, and be in the presence of, both an ingenious Panamanian public school Principal and corporate moguls who collaborated!
The Unexpected Lesson
What's the most vibrant lesson a teacher ever painted into your life? Around the world, students line up daily, stepping into classrooms to master math, science, reading, and writing. But in Panama, during our Glow & Grow, I witnessed something truly unique: the lessons students absorbed from their teachers and Principal about makeup application built not just a special bond, but warm memories to last a lifetime. From the infectious giggles of girls as they bravely swiped blush onto their teachers' faces, to the meticulous lessons on lining eyes and perfecting lips received directly from their educators, every moment was pure magic.
Even seeing their Principal squeal with joy as she, too, was handed a confidence kit was a highlight! And let's not forget the incredible support from Daniel and Cleovis from Hotel La Compañía del Valle, who weren't bashful about being the only men assisting with our makeup masterclass.
So, circling back to that initial question, the most vibrant lesson I learned that day was about the incredible power of shared joy and connection, proving that sometimes— the most profound lessons— come from the most unexpected, and colorful, places.
As a beauty entrepreneur, I am a visionary who constantly seeks to polish my own expertise by learning from industry leaders and mentors. But what really excites me is paying it forward, taking immense pride in sharing that invaluable knowledge to cultivate the next generation of aspiring entrepreneurs. Whether I'm hosting a captivating makeup masterclass or a comprehensive business seminar, I consistently rely on my executive function skills—from meticulous planning and flawless execution to adaptable problem-solving and inspiring leadership.
The staff from Hotel La Compañía del Valle rolled up their sleeves and joined us on-site to assist in execution on event day—with the General Manager even coming in on his day off, bringing his wife to help. The in-person logistical meetings with General Manager Daniel Cardenas and Concierge Cleovis Perez the afternoon before, plus the burning of the midnight oil my team put in packing confidence kits and making final preps, all culminated in an extremely successful event.
It was a huge undertaking that, by no stretch of the imagination, I could have pulled off alone. I am truly appreciative and grateful to all those named and those i may have not known blew fairy dust to make my big, bold dream come true.
to mr. Chris lenz of La Compañía Hotels & Resorts, thank you for believing in my mission.
my lesson learned during this workshop within the beautiful valley of Panamá's OESTE PROVINCE, was— it really does "take a village to raise a child"—myself included.
