We are thrilled to feature Anna Manukyan, ULTA’s Head of Education & Creative and founder of Beauty Finance Group, as a driving force in the beauty industry.
Anna’s passion for education and professional growth aligns with the mission of PBA’s Future Leaders program. Designed exclusively for PBA Members, this program provides ambitious beauty professionals with invaluable opportunities to advance their careers. From interactive webinars featuring industry icons like Sam Villa and Anna Manukyan to online community check-ins and impactful networking events, Future Leaders bridges the gap between behind-the-chair professionals and corporate beauty experts.
Today, we explore Anna’s rise to success and the valuable advice she has gathered over the years that shaped her into the influential leader she is today.
What key experiences or decisions helped you reach your current leadership role?
Seeing the best of people, developing strengths, cultivating a strong professional network and a lot of dedication to elevating our industry and how I can make a positive impact on it.
What core values or principles are crucial to your leadership success, and how do they shape your leadership style?
I attribute my success as a leader empathy, grit, and adaptability.
We are in an industry of human connection and relationships. Strengthening your Empathy muscle not only helps you connect deeper with clients, it prepares you for leadership, having difficult conversations and resolving challenges in a productive way.
As an immigrant, I learned the importance of grit early in life and is the driving force behind my success. We have to keep it moving! The determination to push through obstacles to keep growing is essential for long term success… life is complex and balancing career growth, personal happiness, and everything else we have to do can be difficult, and that’s okay, how we respond to that difficulty is what makes or breaks us.
Adaptability is essential in today’s quickly changing world. One of my favorite quotes is “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” By Charles Darwin. Being flexible and open to new ideas, being intentional about staying current and not resisting unstoppable change allows us to navigate uncertainty with less stress and pivot when necessary. This agility has helped me remain relevant and effective leader for two decades.
What advice do you have for young professionals who want to become leaders in today’s fast-paced world?
Play the long game. A successful career, especially in a leadership role is a marathon, not a quick sprint. Do your best and make a positive impact regardless of your title, focus on solutions and never stop being a learner.
Imagine someone mentioning your name for an opportunity in a closed room a few years from now, what would you want people to say about you? Act accordingly.
Can you describe a tough leadership challenge you faced and how you handled it? What did you learn from it?
One of my first leadership challenges was managing a team that was far more seasoned than me. It was not only very challenging, but it was also an incredible learning opportunity. I quickly learned that as a leader, your role isn’t to be the star player. Your role is to bring out the strengths of the team and create the vision how make their strengths most impactful.
Great leaders take pride in surrounding themselves with teams that are stronger than them.
What skills or qualities should future leaders develop, especially with changing industries and technologies?
Develop well rounded skill set! Technical expertise, an empathetic leadership style, how to develop and execute a strategy and what tools you need to know to grow…these will vary depending on what area of the industry you’re focusing on.
How important is mentorship or coaching for developing future leaders? Did mentors help you in your career?
Mentorship is so important! I’ve had some incredible mentors who pulled out strengths in me I didn’t know I had, challenged me to grow and helped me identify my leadership style…having a mentor that has honest and constructive conversations with you will save you years of trial and error. Its important to have an active part in your mentorship, having a mentor doesn’t mean you sit back and wait for them to “mentor” you, actively take the lead on what you need their input in.
What benefits do young professionals get from joining the Future Leaders program? How does it help them grow as leaders?
Access to mentors and years of experience to learn from, a strong network and tailored guidance to growing the career of your dreams!
