Magazine for the professional nail industry.
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138 | NAILS MAGAZINE | JULY 2016 collaboration with other organizations to deter deregulation. Since founding Politics Beauty in 2011, Johnson-Shealey has made important strides toward the organization's goals. "Number one, starting was a success. I feel very accomplished that we are almost fve years into this and still going strong," she says. "Second, I would say loyalty of our members. I celebrate those who continue forth with our eforts. Third, I would say, our connections/collaborations. We are garnering attention and support from other organizations, beauty shows, and social media, and for that, I feel we are a success." In 2013, Politics Beauty launched an annual signature event, which it plans to expand in 2017. Currently, "Beauty Industry Day at the Capitol" is held the frst Monday in February at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta. The event encourages licensed beauty professionals to get comfortable with the legislative process while Politics Beauty fosters an organized approach to advocating for the industry. Johnson-Shealey has also taken her advocacy a step further by running for state ofce. She won the 2014 Democratic nomination for Georgia State Senate, District 40, but lost in the general election, and is currently a 2016 candidate for Interactions inside nail salons are typically fun and upbeat. Clients leave with polished fngers and toes, smiles, and more confdence than when they came in. Contrast that with interactions inside political arenas. Politics is frequently serious and antagonistic ... and usually no one leaves smiling. Tamara Johnson-Shealey left behind 18 years of being a working nail tech to found and act as senior advocate for Politics Beauty, an organization that gives beauty professionals a voice in Georgia state government. Johnson-Shealey's new life with Politics Beauty hasn't been easy, she says, but it has been necessary. "Being an advocate has not been as joyous as being a nail tech," says Johnson- Shealey, who believes this work is her calling in life. "I felt compelled, as if my life depended on it. I just surrendered to what I knew God had called me to do." She no longer provides nail services. "I was spending so much time thinking about the state of the industry and what could be done that providing services was no longer my driving force," she says. Johnson-Shealey now rallies for positive legislation that protects the professional and the consumer. Politics Beauty's frst priority is continuing education for beauty professionals. Its second priority is state-to-state uniformity in industry standards, and its third priority is organizing professionals in HELPING BEAUTY FIND ITS VOICE After working as a nail tech for 18 years, Tamara Johnson-Shealey founded Politics Beauty in 2011. After building successful nail businesses, these techs set their sights on the greater good. From giving Georgia salon professionals a voice in government to raising pedicure safety standards to putting pressure on Connecticut to add a manicurist license, their accomplishments are everyone's gain. Get inspired and get involved. BY SREE ROY Nail Techs The Concerned Beauty Professionals secured a Health and Safety Federal Alliance in 2013 with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in partnership with Georgia Institute of Technology. TAMARA JOHNSON-SHEALEY Turned Advocates