Beauty Squad House

Launched back in 2019 with the 4 winners of the inaugural Australian Beauty Squad initiative being announced early 2020, last year’s Covid Curve ball meant that the main prize of a stay in the ‘Beauty Squad House’ had to be postponed, but we finally got there!

This new competition is aimed at the rising stars of the Australian Beauty Industry, so as to assist young beauty therapists, specialists and salon owners on their road to success, and Squad members, Stacie Dowden, Jodi Withers, Whitney Gunn and Jess Galvin were the first to experience a stay in the Beauty Squad House on the beautiful Gold Coast with a plethora of industry visitors and icons in some very special one-on-one sessions.

Prizes from our generous sponsors included:-

• Complete Dermapen starter kit • Cosmedical face and body care • Palladio Hollywood Glam Make Up Pack • Elleebana Brow Pack • Naked Tan Personal Tanning Pack

The squad were treated to loads more prizes with house guests bringing in extra goodies for them to fill their suitcases and go over their weight limits when they went home!

Over the 3 days in the house, (hosted by Linda Woodhead, owner of Beauty Biz, Beauty Squad, ABIA and Mocha and Beauty Biz Editor, Clare Lamberth), the team spent time with industry greats April Jones, Gay Wardle, Elle Wilson, Kim and Jemma Stergiou - Keturah Day Spa, Nicola Le Leivre - The Red Lipstick Effect/In Therapy, Tamara Reid and Lisa Conway – Zing Project. Spending an hour with each guest, casually on the couch, the team were inspired and keen to learn on all subjects including injectables, education and training, salon ownership, tenacity, never giving up, social media and bottom line profit! So much knowledge in one place and an experience that would be unforgettable.

Sponsor visits both in real life and via zoom came in the way of Otto Mitter - Elleebana, Dagmar Rosener – Dermapenworld, Maria Cocciolone – inskincosmedics, Lea Taylor - Naked Tan and Rob Tamburro – Bellezza Australia for Palladio, all of whom shared stories with the team on both their personal and professional journeys thus far in their careers with a few surprises and insights. Special activities included a Socail media session with Clare Lamberth, Team Dinner at the stunning, beachfront restaurant, Rick Shores and a night of making skincare and face scrubs from household items and essential oils! Hilarious for Dermal Therapists to be doing that! Fun times!!!

In the final day Linda Woodhead took the team through a series of exercises based around personal development, a bit of Beauty history, workshop on how to deal with the media and get the most out of marketing all culminating in breaking through some barriers with martial art style board breaking.

Special mention must also go to our 5th Squad member, beautiful little Marni (Jodi’s 13-weekold daughter) who stayed in the house with us looked after by mum and especially Auntie Clare. What an added treat!

All in all, it was without doubt worth waiting for and we look forward to continuing this new era in new Beauty Squad Teams on an annual basis, proudly brought to you by Mocha Group. Stay tuned!

Warrioir breakthroughs with Linda Woodhead

Otto MItter, Elleebana and Team

April Jones and Team Rob Tamburro, Palladio and Team Beauty BIz Editor Clare Lamberth with the team

Maria Cocciolone, inskincosmedics and Team

Team with Lea Tayor, Naked Tan Gay Wardle and Team Dagmar Rosener, Dermapenworld and Team

Tamara Reid and Team

IN THEIR OWN WORDS…

Stacie Dowden, The Skin Coaches

“If it’s meant for you, it won’t go past you” Maria Cocciolone I had the absolute pleasure and honour to be a part of the first ever Inaugural Beauty Squad. Entering the fabulous Mansion in Miami Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon, I was full of excitement! I was looking forward to meeting the 3 other Squad members along with Linda Woodhead and Clare Lamberth, who I absolutely adore. We had a beautiful arrival dinner in house, while getting to know each other’s career journeys so far, bonding and creating new friendships. I instantly felt relaxed and connected to them all. Over the next 2 days, the line-up of house visits and zoom sessions with admirable guests and our exceptional sponsors was something I will never forget. To have them all open up and share not only their insights into their career and the beauty industry, but also their life journey so far was so powerful to listen to. I want to thank each and every one of you for opening my eyes to new stages of opportunity and strength. I will forever be grateful for your guidance and very useful advice. I have a notebook full of notes of inspiration and information to assist with my future endeavours. I am looking forward to connecting with you all again in the near future. The overall experience of the beauty squad house stay is something I will cherish forever! I have developed special bonds and friendships with Jodi, Whitney, Jess, Clare and Linda. The house allowed us to be our full pure selves with each other, with no judgement just encouragement. A squad of woman building each other up. The true meaning behind this beautiful industry.

Jodi Withers, Oi Cosmetics

The beauty squad house experience has been a long time coming and man, was it an experience alright. It was a little different to what I had imagined when I won this more than a year ago. Due to COVID delaying the experience I fell pregnant shortly after I won. So being part of the beauty squad this weekend I had to bring a plus one… my little 3-month on baby girl Marni. Linda and Clare were super amazing and very accommodating of us both. Stacey, Whitney and Jess also allowed me to have her there and I will be forever grateful. The experience will be one I will always remember, from the industry leaders we got to chat too, to meeting the incredible sponsors who were so generous with gifts and knowledge. It was amazing hearing everyone’s journeys and I have come away with more knowledge, selfconfidence, an idea of where I want to take my career, but most of all 5 more lifelong friends that I now call family. Wonder if baby Marni will follow our lead? Thank you so much for the opportunity xx

Whitney Gunn, Do You Even Skin and James Vivian

Beauty Squad 2020, what a time! I am so full of gratitude, thanks, and probably a little more in love with the industry that I have adored for more than a decade. Like many, covid was a time to re-evaluate what was important and how we execute what we do in business. As a graduate of 2019, 2020 was going to be “the year” I was learning, growing, and developing my skills as a dermal clinician, you know, COVID! So, for me, Beauty Squad was an opportunity to learn more about being a businesswoman, growing a business, and managing teams. Therefore, on day one in the house, I was a sponge to all the incredible people who came in. April Jones shared her successes in managing and training teams and ensuring that the staff you have been working in the right place for your business. I think that is something I have thought about but not really ensured so far and will take forward with me on my career. Gay Wardle, I mean, what an honour, still full of passion after so many decades in the industry. Gay’s passion for education, progression in the industry, and remaining no “BS” hit me right in the heartstrings,

Lisa COnway with Team and baby Marni

Elle Wilson and Team

Gay Wardle Otto MItter Lisa Conwayt and Marni

Nicola Le Livre Team with Jemma and kim Stergiou - Keturah Day Spa

Nicola Le Livre and Team Gay Wardle & Linda Woodhead

and I am so excited to take her advice as I progress into an industry educator. Jemma and Kim, just wow! I cannot wait to visit their Spa in Western Australia, a truly inspiring team that survived and thrived during covid. Nicola Le Leivre, thanks for the crabs! HAHA. With a cheeky story and an infectious smile, Nicola, thank you for reminding us that there are some people we need to let go of in life and business to continue our desired path. And, Lisa Conway, my oh my! I don’t know much about business coaches, yet you have shown me so much value in them and the importance of delegating when it’s just not your scope. The key message I took from all the presenters over the three days was to remain authentic, stick to the values you hold, and regularly ensure that your team aligns with you and your business strategies. I was enthralled by all I connected with over the three days and know their guidance will expel my career. I feel incredibly spoiled with all the gifts from the sponsors and hearing their stories of success in different areas of the industry. I am humbled and so grateful to be one of the first beauty squad members and I must thank James Vivian who endorsed my entry and continually pushes me to be a better clinician. It was an incredible, inspiring experience to network, reinvigorate and work on positive change personally and professionally. I loved connecting with other young therapists like myself in really different areas! Jodi, Jess, and Stacie – you are three incredible women whose careers I cannot wait to see blossom in the coming years. Thank you to mummy Linda and Clare for orchestrating such a wonderful weekend and nurturing our overwhelmed little brains each evening! Reunion?

Jess Galvin, La Bella Medispa

It was an absolute honour and privilege to be a part of the first beauty squad house on the Gold Coast. It’s been a once in a lifetime experience to have such an intermit experience with some of the most well-known industry experts and mentors. It’s such a fantastic feeling to be a part of such a diverse industry, providing some many different opportunities for career growth. The Beauty Squad visitors all bought their own little piece of uniqueness to every conversation in the most authentic, laid back conversations. I loved listening to every person’s individual journey and story, which has really broadened my horizons on what our industry has to offer. The treatment room is where our original passion originated but there is so much more out there to grow, expand and contribute to this fabulous industry. Linda and the Mocha team have started a little piece of gold in this event and am so thankful to have has this opportunity, with the support of all the amazing sponsors. If your passionate about the beauty industry and are ready to take it to the next level, I would highly suggest entering this fabulous competition.