ICA Fall Atelier Showcases Artistry, Community in NYC

November 9, 2022

Personal and Professional Resiliency

It’s been a tough couple of years for the salon industry, but the resiliency of the business and its members is inspiring. This theme was repeated throughout the weekend, highlighted in words of encouragement from older members to newer ones; a moving presentation on mental health; and the excitement surrounding being able to gather, learn, and network at the Fall Atelier.

Melissa Doman, M.A., author of “Yes, You Can Talk About Mental Health at Work,” presented on mental health in the workplace along with the Bumble and Bumble team. “Whether you’re an owner or a manager, whatever it is, do not absolve yourself of your humanity to lead a team,” said Doman. “…There’s an opportunity to set that tone in your salon and to be able to normalize these conversations and embed them in the fabric of your salon culture.”

Melissa Doman talks mental health in the industry

Members also learned how to navigate the road ahead through Pete Goldstein of Adam Broderick Salon & Spa’s presentation on analytics and data-based decision-making, and Jera Foster-Fell of Kerastase’s segment on Tik Tok’s marketing potential to help jump-start their social media campaigns.

The strongest example of resiliency, though, was simply the power of being together. “We’re really kind of feeling a sense of normalcy and kind of that same vibe of really being together and experiencing the power of people that share the same mindset,” said Broderick.

The Responsibility We Have to Each Other

According to ICA president Sheila Wilson, “To be successful in this industry, you almost have to be a nurturer.” Experienced members of ICA take this to heart, seeking (and offering) opportunities to newer members to help them grow within both ICA and their own businesses. “When you come, here you learn,” said Wilson, “but you also have to have something that you feel comfortable about sharing.”

Frank Westerbeke, President of Gadabout SalonSpas, felt this theme deeply. “Please know that this organization is here for you. I am here to help this industry,” says Westerbeke. “If you’re in this room right now, you’re in the right place.”

Anna Pacitto, Artistic Director of ICA, presented a show-stopping collection that reflected our responsibility to each other and the planet by exploring themes of sustainability and one-ness. “We are all one – we all came from that one atom.”

A model from Anna Pacitto’s Quantum Love collection

The Power of We Starts With Me

“If you want to know something, ask the person you want to know it from,” said Frank Westerbeke, President of Gadabout SalonSpas, during the Voices of Success Panel.

This can be intimidating for new members, but being together for the Fall Atelier can really facilitate involvement and connection. New members may feel unsure where to start, but seasoned members say–just ask! “If you just kind of take the risk and put out your hand, you’re going to get five hands back,” said Adam Broderick.

Meghan Travis of Dominic Michael Salon, and Chandra Chriswisser of Ohana Salons, both new members, experienced this firsthand. For Chriswisser, “[the Atelier] was one of the most inspiring experiences I’ve ever had as a salon owner. Just being in this room with so many talented, super successful, unbelievable people…. It’s almost like celebrity sighting.”

“Stan [Newton], Josh [DeMarco] and Steven [Moody] were so willing to help me and teach me everything they know. With their help and mentorship, I’ve been able to really grow and help other people too,” said Travis.

As legend Christopher Brooker reminded us in his moving speech, “I cannot speak about myself without speaking about my heroes.”

Did you attend the Fall Atelier? Tag any photos with #icamoments!

Thank you to everyone who attended, and we look forward to seeing you all again at the Spring Atelier in Las Vegas on April 2nd & 3rd!

President and CEO
Southern Security Federal Credit Union

Dawn Graeter, President and CEO of Southern Security Federal Credit Union is an extremely accomplished, trailblazing finance executive who has led Southern Security to triple-digit growth since she took the helm in 2011. As one of the few female bank CEOs in the Greater Memphis area, Dawn has over 35 years in the finance and banking industry and has held almost every position there is as she worked her way from teller to CEO.

Dawn’s focus on the foundational pillars of people, community, and technology have ignited record-breaking results year after year and includes specific efforts for teamwork-building, employee relations, a genuine grassroots community outreach effort, and adopting technology solutions to provide greater functionality and service to customers. These efforts have increased the Southern Security full-time workforce by 37 percent and increased the annual net income of Southern Security by 127 percent poising Southern Security for even greater growth in the future. Dawn’s successes have not gone unnoticed as she was voted one of Power Poll Memphis’ Most Power People in 2023 and named a Superwoman in Business by the Memphis Business Journal in 2012. Also, named University of Memphis Outstanding Alumna in 2019. Dawn and her team are proud that Southern Security has been named Best Credit Union by the readers of the Commercial Appeal for six years running.

Dawn works tirelessly to support professional and community organizations close to the industry and community she loves. She currently serves as Chairman of the Board for Confluent Strategies, which specializes in consumer credit, commercial and mortgage credit reporting, background checks, employment screenings and association management. She also serves on the board for the Tennessee Credit Union League whose mission is to promote and support the success and advancement of credit unions in the State of Tennessee. Dawn correspondingly serves on the board for Share One which serves credit unions across the country with a comprehensive core processing system named New Solutions. As a credit union service organization (CUSO), Share One designed New Solutions directly alongside credit union clients.

Recently, Dawn was asked to serve on the Le Bonheur National Leadership Council, on the Youth Program’s Inc. Captain’s Club, charitable foundation and host organization of the FedEx St. Jude Championship, and the Board of Carnival Memphis, all benefiting local children and children’s charities.

Dawn previously served as chairman of the board for HopeWorks, an organization that offers jobs and support to the under-resourced and recently incarcerated working in conjunction with the Shelby County Department of Corrections Hope 2 Hire program. Her work with HopeWorks is what she is most proud of, helping train adults for vocational careers and life outside of the Department of Corrections system. Dawn has a real drive to help adults help themselves, to be able to provide for their families, and find a skill or career they are proud of every day.

Dawn has served on various nonprofit boards over the years including Leadership Millington, Millington Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mid-South American Heart Association’s Executive Leadership Team. Dawn also served at the Greenshoe Gala, benefitting Shelby Farms.

Dawn gives back to her alma matter, the University of Memphis as she is serving as an Executive in Residence for the Fogelman College of Business and Economics, on the 901 Women’s Athletic Advisory Board, has served as a member of the University of Memphis Alumni Association from 2000-2003, serving as treasurer from 2002-2003. She continued her service as the University of Memphis Alumni Association President from 2004-2005 while also being a member of the Board of Visitors for the U of M. Dawn was a participant in the U of M Women’s Leadership Council and was chairman for Homecoming Golf Classic for the Alumni Association.

Southern Security Federal Credit Union and its employees support Mid-South Employee Resource Network, Big Brothers Big Sister of the Mid-South, Youth Villages, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, YWCA, American Heart Association, Keesha Warrior Princess, Collierville Education Foundation and many other local charities through monetary donations and volunteer efforts.