PBA / NCA

All 2012 Beacon entries must be submitted online. The Beacon Entry process was designed to help guide you from student to salon professional. Entrants are judged on creativity, professionalism and the content of your professional portfolio. All entries must be entered online by March 2, 2012.



Entry Checklist

STEP 1: Professional Resume

As the most crucial document for a young professional trying to get their foot in the door, your resume will hold high value in the judging process. Resumes are judged on quality and professionalism, not how much experience you've had. It's important to balance your creativity with professional presentation.

STEP 2: Letter of Recommendation

Submit a letter of recommendation from a school administrator (Instructor, Director, Career Counselor, etc.), addressing why you are a good candidate for the Beacon program. As a new job seeker, having a professional reputation is an important asset.

STEP 3: Create a Portfolio of Images

Submit three images, showcasing your talent in the career path you would like to follow (hair, nails, skin, etc.). We know students will be at varying levels in their schooling, so you may use mannequins or live models for this portion of the application process. This is an opportunity to start or add to your professional portfolio.

STEP 4: Create a Professional Marketing Piece

Here's your opportunity to be creative and tell future employers and clients who you are, what you can do and what your career goals are. Create a marketing piece to sell yourself as a future salon/spa professional or to sell an industry idea you are passionate about. Examples of promotional pieces include a website, brochure, storyboard, or a 30-second commercial.

If your marketing piece is a commercial or website, simply submit the link. If you choose to make a brochure or flyer, save it as a Word document or PDF and upload the file. For any physical object, such as a storyboard, submit up to 3 images of your completed project.

STEP 5: Submit Your Entry Online

Now that you have everything you need, you're ready to submit your entry! Entries will only be accepted online and must be submitted no later than March 2, 2012 by midnight EST.

Make sure that your entry is accompanied by the $40.00 entry fee. If paying by credit card, that fee can be paid online. If paying by check, please mail your payment with a copy of your confirmation email.



Three Ways to Pay Your $40.00 Entry Fee

  • If paying by credit card, pay the fee online

  • If paying by check, mail your payment with the confirmation email you will receive after submitting your entry

  • If your school is paying for your entry, download the school roster form. Have your Administrator fill it out, including all entrants from your school, and mail or fax it in!



Judging

A panel of top salon and spa owners, manufacturers and distributors from across the country will judge the entries and select the winning students. All entrants will be notified via email as to their entry status by April 20, 2012. Check out Beacon on facebook to share ideas and connect with other Beacon entrants.

Eligibility

To compete, you must be a student enrolled in an appropriate program (cosmetology, esthetics, nail technicians, etc.) in the U.S. or Canada between September 1, 2011 and March 1, 2012. Former Beacon winners are NOT eligible to re-apply.

Tips For Applying

Resume Help

Have questions about creating a resume? Download the Resume FAQ sheet answering ten common questions about resumes. Other great resources are your instructors, career centers at your local high school or community college and a variety of online resources.



Tips for Your Portfolio Images

Want to own the rights to all of the images in your snazzy new portfolio? Download a Sample Model Release Form and always ask your model to sign your version of a release form before you take their photo. You can tell your clients that you want to be able to publish photos of your early work once you become famous!

If you have not graduated to working on clientele, use wigs and/or mannequins for your entry.

Use a high-quality camera and light source and you'll get high-quality photos! Your cell phone camera may take great snapshots, but you might want to upgrade to a digital camera for your portfolio shots.

Do your homework to create a unique feel and look for your signature look.

Keep the main focus on the hair. Avoid full body shots.

Overuse of props and accessories take focus away from the hair.



Tips on Creating a Winning Marketing Piece

Keep in mind that your promotional piece will need to photograph well for the online entry process and for judging, but winning entries will be on display at PBA Beauty Week in front of hundreds of professional salon owners. Make sure your submitted entry is ready for display: Does it stand up on its own? Does it have a hook to hang from? Do you have a way to display your business cards?

Do not use glass in your professional marketing piece. If selected as a winner, glass may break during the shipping process.

We recommend not using mannequin heads for your Professional Marketing Piece.

Hot glue does not hold up very well in the mail or on display. Try using super glue, rubber cement or some other permanent adhesive.

If submitting a video for your Professional Marketing Piece, please limit your video to no more than 60 seconds. Post your video to YouTube and include a link to your video in the appropriate field when you enter online.

When photographing your Marketing Piece try using a white matte backdrop to eliminate glare, a good light source like natural sunlight from a window supplemented by an adjustable lamp or two and a tripod to eliminate shaky camera syndrome. A large sheet of matte white card can work well as a backdrop. The internet, books and magazines are all great resources for still life photography tips.

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