Geno Stampora speaks to cosmetology students

Please read this related article, Geno: Words of Wisdom

Stampora in action at Beacon.

One of Geno Stampora’s biggest passions is the Beacon program. Founded by the Professional Beauty Association, Beacon exposes cosmetology students to the business side of the industry and allows them to network with some of the most successful salon owners in the country.

Each year, hundreds of students around the country compete for one of the 100 spots in the program by designing a professional resume, submitting portfolio images and creating a marketing piece that sells themselves as a future beauty professional. Beacon winners attend the general assembly sessions at PBA Symposium, as well as their own breakout sessions where they hear from some of the industry’s superstars about honing their interviewing skills, making intelligent career choices and building a clientele.

Since its inception, Stampora has been a frequent Symposium guest speaker and, for the past three years, has served as the program’s facilitator. “It’s one of the most rewarding and fulfilling things that I do,” he says. “I love getting students turned on to this industry, and watching them spend a Cinderella weekend hearing from people like Vivienne Mackinder, Robert Cromeans, Michael Baker, Larry Curtis, Eric Fisher, Yosh Toya, Gordon Miller and Wynn Claybaugh. It opens them up to their possibilities, and they see that the industry is so much bigger than their beauty school.”

“This year, I had the pleasure of being with 106 great students—not just of beauty, but of life. This is the beauty industry in its rawest state, and I’m so honored to be a part of it,” he says.

SALON TODAY reached out to four of this year’s Beacon students and asked them what the experience meant to them:

Beacon students Tamela Bowen and Brittania Bryant.

“Attending Beacon was an incredible experience for me; it was both educational and inspirational. I admired how all the speakers who addressed the students were such happy people. They helped us to understand how a positive attitude and the willingness to give 100 percent every time will undoubtedly take us to great heights. I wish that all of the students who attend my institute could have had the opportunity to receive the wisdom and motivation I gained I hope it exudes through my empowered attitude and maybe, just maybe, I can also inspire those around me.”
Tamela Bowen
Aveda Institute Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia

Drew Noreen with Robert Lobetta.

“Beacon, for me, was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It opened my eyes to an industry far greater than what I had imagined. Since Beacon, I have been assisting at well-known Etch Salon in Scottsdale, where I am learning more and more every day. I am so fortunate to have had this be a part of my life and have absolutely no regrets. Here’s to the future!”
Drew Noreen
The Kohler Academy
Scottsdale, Arizona

Beacon students and friends Rayanne McLeish and Stephanie Wadsworth.

“Before arriving in Las Vegas for Beacon, I was nearly ready to become the infamous beauty school dropout. My time at Beacon, however, changed my entire perspective of what my role in the industry could become. On the first night, Geno Stampora asked, ‘Where do you think you’d be if you were aware of your full potential?’ My time at Beacon allowed me to realize I could do great things within the beauty industry if I simply reach for that higher goal and aspire to fill my fullest potential.”
Stephanie Wadsworth
The Hair Academy-A Paul Mitchell
Partner School
Rexburg, Idaho

“Geno Stampora said, ‘The biggest failure is in NOT trying.’  The weekend I spent in Vegas as a Beacon student taught me to put myself out there and let go of my fears. You can never know what the answer will be until you ask. If you want to be successful and fulfill your dreams, you have to get out there and go for it. Fear is a choice, and Beacon taught me not to be afraid!”
Rayanne McLeish
The Hair Academy-A Paul Mitchell Partner School
Rexburg, Idaho