If you missed the Leading Ladies program at the most recent Premiere Show (this past summer in Orlando, Florida), you missed something special. LL Founder Tracey Hughes along with her hand-picked panel of Eden Sassoon, Jenny Strebe, Candy Shaw and Sonya Dove, addressed the challenges of women in the industry and details about their personal journeys to a standing room only auditorium.

“The response was overwhelming,” says Hughes. “Apparently there were more people in the auditorium than ever at the Premiere Show. When we came offstage we were bombarded. It was truly a proud moment - seeing it all come to life.”

It is the Leading Ladies initiative that has been a passion for Hughes who was surprised that so few women held leadership roles in brands or had a high-profile presence in the media. She actively set about the remedy the situation and gathered these high profile women to bring awareness to the situation.

“Our objective is to inspire women to believe in themselves and follow their dreams, while tackling the issues faced by women in the industry," says Hughes who points out that 85% of the industry is made up of women. “We want to give to all stylists, including male, a reason to understand they can have a rewarding career. They can be fabulous professionals either in salon, on platform, in sales, working with a brand or as an educator in school.  There are so many career paths for all salon professionals. This is about sharing information.”

For women, Hughes sees there are additional challenges when it comes to blending life on a personal and professional level. “These do cross paths,” she says. “A platform like Leading Ladies can help those women – and men – who are having trouble finding that elusive balance and juggling everything in life to live the life that you want to live.” To emphasize the point, Hughes invited Sam Villa to moderate the Premiere program.

The next Leading Ladies program will be held this January at ISSE in Long Beach, California. Don't miss it.

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