THE TEAM HOUSE

A few short weeks ago, mocha group and Beauty Biz magazine were proud to host the 2nd annual Beauty Squad House for the 2022 team. Sponsors, mentors and icons within the industry were invited into the beautiful Palm Beach mansion, situated on the fabulous Gold Coast, to mix, mingle and chat with the team who shared this wonderful experience over 4 days.

CEO and founder Linda Woodhead, General Manager Jarred Stedman and Beauty Biz Editor Louise May were all there to guide, nurture and inspire the Squad, consisting of Madison Christer-Brooks - Bliss Day Spa - Caringbah NSW, Mala McAlpin – Lisa Rush Skin Clinic - Paddington NSW, Maria Cammaroto - Natspa Health & Clinical Skin - Essendon VIC and Natalie Herschell – The Skin Coaches - Mt Isa QLD.

The squad were treated to one on one sessions with a number of visitors, not to mention time with the mocha team and some fun along the way, in a journey of professional and self-development, culminating in a bond with each other that will last a lifetime. The experience started with everyone arriving at the House, settling in and having a team dinner to get to know each other over a beautiful meal, courtesy of Louise with some story telling over a few vinos! The team spoke about their excitement towards the next 3 days highlighting all of the things they were looking forward to with the house visitors and excursions.

Overall, the 4 day experience was one to remember which included a delicious Team visit to Gay Wardle’s’ Salon Skin Energy for a shadowing afternoon, Dinner at Mamasan Kitchen in Broadbeach, a Paint and Sip Class at Mermaid Beach, and some powerful marital art board breaking to finish off the stay.

All wrapped up in an idyllic setting, the team left with direction and purpose on what was truly a life changing experience for all. Many thanks must go to our generous sponsors, all of whom not only spent time with the team but also provided incredible prizes in excess of $11,000!

Thank you Dermapenworld, inskincosmedics, elleebana, Timely and Gay Wardle.

House Visitors

Will Fennell

Via zoom, after a brief run down on his career and directions it had taken him, Will also spoke to the team about how to work with men in beauty using a different language and how to juggle life with balance between the salons, educating and being a product distributor. He spoke candidly about his love for the industry and how when things changed for him, he looked at other opportunities to keep the passion alive.

Chereine Waddell

Award winning Make Up artist and Online editor for mocha group gave some insightful tips and tricks relating to social media, branding, colours and more. Our very own little ray of sunshine explained how to get more form your socials and the importance of trends and culture.

Otto Mitter

Always a pleasure, Otto arrived as usually bringing gifts to all members of the house and then spoke about his history and love of the industry. Otto’s mother wrote and contributed to the first competency based beauty therapy training in Australia (wrote the Diploma of Beauty Therapy, Diploma of Health Science and Aesthetics, and founded the Gold Coast Training Academy who graduated thousands of beauty therapists in Australia) having been brought up by such an influential person in the industry it was only a natural progression that Otto found himself studying make up artistry, beauty therapy and all things lash & brow at the Gold Coast Training Academy straight out of high school.

Fast forward to now and after two decades of studying the art of lashes, brows, beauty and cosmetic formulation, Otto and his team at ExImport currently produce and supply lash & brow enhancement ranges for professionals and develop educational programs to over 60 countries across the globe and have a combined team of over 300 trainers worldwide. Otto spoke about his ongoing dedication to education, which has seen him as a guest speaker and educator at the world’s most prestigious beauty and lash events. A true inspiration.

Nicola Le Lievre

Nicola’s story is one of astonishing resilience, generosity and empowerment of not just herself but all the women around her because where there’s an empowered woman, there is magic. Fast forward to today and Nicola is proudly surpassing 25 years in the professional beauty industry and has crafted her passion into becoming a multi-award-winning force to be reckoned with.

Nicola spoke about the ‘wonder woman’ power within gifting the team with a copy of her book, a beautiful mirror and a toy crab!... (You had to be there… lol). And whilst bold red lipstick might be her signature, there’s something Nicola can’t leave the house without – her crown.

To Nicola, crowns aren’t made of diamonds; they are made of discipline, determination and courage. An advocate for ensuring all the women in her life wear their crown with pride, Nicola has found success outside of her award winning salon ‘intherapy’, as an award-winning entrepreneur, philanthropist, author, and speaker. What a treat to have her visit!

Tamara Reid

In the global role of Head of Strategic Partnerships at Timely Business Management Software, Tamara Reid is all about networking and through her career thus far as proved herself to be forward thinking and an absolute asset to the industry. Voted the Emerging Leader by Telstra Businesswomen’s Awards, as well as a community and leadership expert, Tamara is the start up Founder of Beaute Industrie and the Aesthetic and Beauty Industry Council. With a background in education and business development, her career expands over several segments of the professional beauty industry including salon, spa, clinic and aesthetic.

Tamara worked her way up from beauty therapist, to earn her seat at the senior leadership table and shared her career history and knowledge with the squad. Showing the squad where their careers could take them was insightful and thought provoking and in true ‘Oprah’ style came to the house with an Apple Watch gift for each of the team, reaffirming the importance of ‘Time…ly’!

Maria Cocciolone

Via Zoom, Maria joined the house with a trip down memory lane to show where things started for her learning lessons along the way, and wow… what a story! Having graduated with her Diploma of Health Science in 1985, Maria worked for a range of leading skincare brands in diverse roles and positions until 2007, when she founded INSKIN COSMEDICS. Today, with 35 years industry experience, Maria is one of Australia’s most reputable skin gurus and the only Australian industry icon to have created two professional skincare brands from scratch.

In 2009 Maria created and launched O COSMEDICS, which was created to fight the five major causes of aging, using medical-grade active ingredients and proven delivery systems to prevent and correct skin aging and degradation. In 2017 she a co-created her second brand, GINGER&ME and introduced a Mindfulness category to the beauty world. Maria has a philosophy that all brands under her portfolio cont’ over page must make ‘good business and good skin sense’, supporting healthy businesses and skin too. She spoke to the squad about her journey, the ups and downs, which demonstrated her resilience and determination making everyone feel inspired and equally on a mission to be their authentic self and go for gold!

Lisa Conway

Lisa Conway is the Founder of The ZING Project, an industry-leading Salon Coaching business with clients through Australia, New Zealand and the US. Lisa has written three books (with a 4th in the pipeline) and is an avid self-confessed health and fitness junkie. Lisa speaks, coaches and writes the same way she approaches life - unfiltered and straight from the heart with passion, humour and a true belief that people hold the secrets to success within themselves.

Challenging the squad to step up and take control she worked on a few exercises demonstrating how the mind could play tricks and how we all have the power to change that mindset with positive results. She is testament to the fact that owning a business and having a life is possible for everyone and she expertly showed how everyone can succeed if they are willing to do the work.

Alex Zotos

Son of the famous Elly Lukas Alex is the director of the Elly Lukas accredited beauty college that offers beauty therapy, massage, make-up, spa therapy and dermal courses. Over the past 69 years Elly Lukas has trained more beauty & spa graduates than any other College in Australia and, because they work with a wide range in the industry from Laser Clinics, Luxury Spas, Dermal Clinics, Brow Bars & makeup studios together with leading salons & franchises – their education is independent and highly regarded by the industry, which means graduates can choose from a wider variety of career opportunities.

As Principal of Elly Lukas College, Alex has kept his finger on the industry pulse globally and contributed hugely to the beauty industry. Usually a very quiet and private person, Alex Zotos is in fact a powerhouse of generosity, bringing his student cohort to Sydney each year for the famous boat cruise and beauty expo trip as well as having a passion for student placement within some of the most incredible establishments worldwide! He spoke to the squad about opportunities and his take on the global direction of the industry and his time and openness was appreciated by all!

Squad Shadowing With Gay Wardle

The Beauty Squad were treated to a once-ina-lifetime experience visiting Gay Wardle at her Salon, Skin Energy, to shadow here for the afternoon over a 4-hour period! Just imagine learning one-on-one with the industry’s best, in a clinic environment and solely focused on transforming your treatment pathways. Well that is exactly what the Squad got to do! The squad shadowed Gay as she performed her daily routine in her own clinic environment. From her extensive signature skin consultation to seeing an unforgettable Gay Wardle treatment, this incredible experience showcased first-hand how to become an industry leader.

The Beauty Squad joined Gay every step of the way to develop a solid understanding of the roles required to, boost client retention and achieve incredible clinical outcomes not to mention how to get more information from your client with her consultation techniques. This nurturing, one-on-one learning environment showing effective client communication and treatments was a priceless addition to the Beauty Squad mentorship program and one that was an absolute favourite.

With a career dedicated to sharing her passion for lifelong learning, Gay Wardle has established herself as one of the beauty industry’s most respected icons with roles as an educator, business owner, mentor, coach and skin expert. Our time with Gay proves beyond a doubt how committed she is to the personal and professional development of the industry at large. Gay Wardle, we salute you!

Mocha House Mentors

Linda Woodhead, Jarred Stedman, Louise May Staying in the house with the Beauty Squad was the mocha team made up of Linda, Jarred and Louise. Huge shout out to Louise who spent the whole time looking after everyone, keeping them all fed and watered, not to mention a great opening session working through a SWOT (Strengths/ Weaknesses/Opportunities/Threats) ANALYSIS that was referred to many times throughout the stay.

With her knowledge in Product development and formulations, Salon ownership and business mentorship, not to mention her role as Beauty Biz editor, Louise always plays a key role in the house being professionally and personally available at any time of the day or night. Jarred used his experience during the stay with his photographic and videography expertise, also leading the team as a mentor and confidant. He also spoke to the team about the importance of branding and culture giving them all something to think about for the future and re-emphasised the importance of being truly YOU!

CEO and founder, Linda Woodhead was on hand also for the entire stay to guide interviews with all of the house visitors as well as impart knowledge from a 40+ year career on how to deal with the media, how to enter awards and finally host a mindfulness and warrior session with the team, reverting back to the SWOT ANALYSIS, by literally breaking through some barriers with martial art board breaking to finish off the stay! A powerful end to a life changing time in the Beauty Squad House.

Marie Cammaroto

“What an experience! I am very grateful and appreciate all the wonderful people I have met and connected with during my time at the beauty squad house. I would highly recommend this for anyone in the beauty industry that is looking for answers of where to next with their career. Thank you so much to Linda and the Mocha Group for giving me this amazing experience in my career that I will cherish for life.”

Natalie Herschell

“I had the absolute pleasure of being a 2022 Beauty Squad Member. I would strongly encourage anyone who is thinking about applying to apply to this amazing opportunity. You feel so welcomed from the minute you arrive to the meet you leave. Linda, Jarrad, Louise, Chereine, the sponsors and guest speakers are one of a kind and absolutely amazing, who put so much into this weekend for their squad members.

I walked away from the weekend, having made lifetime friendships and connections, pushing through barriers/ things hold me back, gaining a wealth of knowledge and growth and remembering to be myself and to back yourself. Thank you so much once again for an amazing weekend.

I’m still on such a high and super excited for what’s to come next. The whole weekend was a standout, there is not one thing I cannot say I didn’t like at all, and loved every minute of being in the house with the girls, Jarrad, Lou, Chereine and Linda!!!”

Mala McAlpin

“The Mocha Beauty Squad 22 experience was a life changing one - I got home feeling like a completely different person! In such a short space of time, we received so much more than just education and career guidance - the inspiration, mentorship, and nurturing we received was on another level. We received exclusive opportunities to pick the brains of such a broad variety of experts, each one having their own unique experiences to share that were worth their weight in gold.

The best part was that the speakers and topics were tailored specifically to us, so we each gained unique value and learnings, regardless of our career paths, skill set, or levels of progress. Not to mention we were utterly spoiled with an incredible location, generous gifts, and bonding activities that we’ll remember for a lifetime.”

Maddie Christer-Brooks

“My experience in the Beauty Squad House has been one of the best experiences in my lifetime so far! Linda, Jarred, Chereine and Louise were so supportive and have hearts of gold and I cannot thank them enough. I learnt so much in the house and I feel like a brand-new person ready to take on the world and follow my dreams.”

If you would like to be in the Beauty Squad in 2023, you can enter now as part of the ABIA by visiting www.mochagroup.com.au/beauty-squad