INSPIRED Lights a Fire In the Heart
When we conceptualized INSPIRED, we thought of the salon owners, team leaders, and decision-makers who––in between the bills and the spills, the walk-outs and the redos––need to refill their well of inspiration. These people create jobs, and spend their lives, even in times of great personal adversity, attending to others, making them look and feel more beautiful. INSPIRED was about giving these go-getters something back, so they can keep go-getting.
Things took off at the Saturday Night Welcome Party, hosted at the TWA Lounge on the 86th Floor of Freedom Tower. With panoramic views from Manhattan to JFK, a toast by Nick Arrojo pictured the weekend ahead, and spoke of the intelligence of a community forged on the altar of graft, craft, learning, and love.
On Sunday, guests convened in the ARROJO Tribeca theatre for presentations emphasizing our shared humanity. After MC Geno Stampora drew laughs by poking fun at himself, he introduced Megan McDowell.
Speaking of “Community, Togetherness & Support,” Megan shared her experience of tragedy and loss from 9/11 to highlight the importance of organizations that are meaningful, reflective, and practice gratitude and giving. There was not a dry eye in the house.
Either side of lunch sponsored by Phorest Salon Software Solutions, Craig Lucas spoke of creating the “Best Self” and David Kinigson homed in on “Excellence,” as these symbiotic presentations put mind over matter.
Next came Peter Turnley. A photojournalist of humanity and current events, Peter has covered Newsweek 43 times. He shared his inspirations, famous images, and detailed seven years of work at T.R.Y. Star Barbershop, Harlem, where he discovered all sides of the human condition can be lensed in the saloon or the salon.
Closing day one, Lina Arrojo and Paul Merritt showed the only hair presentation of the weekend, as they released the ARROJO Trend ’20 Forecast to rip-roaring approval.
Next, the spectacular Sunday evening celebration. Hosted at the Boom Boom Room at the Top of the Standard, this glittering, golden setting with 360 degree views put INSPIRED on the top of the world.
Enjoying a lip-smacking three course dinner and top shelf open bar, guests were treated to a live performance by Frank Sinatra (impersonator). Uplifting the crowd to dance and to croon, guests took the stage, kicked their legs, and warbled along as Frank belted out classics like ‘Come Fly with Me’ and ‘New York, New York.’
Unforgettable.
On day two, guests returned to Tribeca. Glamor model, Britt Churchill, spoke with gusto on the “Fight and Passion” she found after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Now an activist, and glamor model, she left no room for excuses; you can do what you put your mind to.
Thereafter, Sara Harvey, expert in combining business and wellness, encouraged guests to take a look at “The Inner Self” as means to discover the capacity to communicate, collaborate, and lead authentically.
After lunch sponsored by Belvedere Maletti, Derek Anthony took the stage to stress the importance of “Action.” As Derek notes, ideas are easy, acting on them is not. The power of action, Derek says, is what took his business from good to great, from potential to realization of a seven figure salon.
Geno Stampora gave us one more interlude –– a comical and effusive look back at at the whole weekend –– before Nick Arrojo took the stage to close INSPIRED with a candid appraisal of his “Adversity and Inspiration,” as well as personal insights on some of his own mentors, like Jerry Gordon.
When it was all said and done INSPIRED achieved our goal of galvanizing entrepreneurs to keep going no matter obstacles and odds. To boot, something bigger, better, and even more beautiful emerged: How to use your business, and passions, to serve the world and create personal freedom and greater life purpose.
For their support of ARROJO INSPIRED, very special thanks to L’Oréal Professional, the global hair care brand with a unique commitment to helping hairdressers in their day-to-day practice.
For continued photographic inspiration from Peter Turnley, please see links below for his original artwork and photography classes.
Peter Turnley Fine Art Photographic Prints