Midwest's Largest Beauty Association president shares rejuvenation insights

Denise Provenzano, a successful business owner with five beauty salons (in Naperville, Lisle and Batavia) that employ over 150 people, has just added another feather in her cap: she has been elected president of Cosmetologists Chicago, the largest associations of salon professionals in the Midwest, and one of the largest in the country.

The association owns/produces America's Beauty Show, which will run March 21-23 at McCormick Place and will attract thousands of beauty salon professionals.

Comments Ms. Provenzano: "Based on figures from the Convention Bureau, America's Beauty Show 2014 attracted 80,000 attendees - who came from all over North America and 35 foreign countries - and had a $116 million impact on the local economy. There are over 75,000 licensed salon professionals in the state of Illinois, and we are proud of the contribution the beauty industry has made and continues to make."

So, what does Ms. Provenzano, a recognized beauty professional - whose salons boast treatment of hair/body/mind - recommend as a good way to start off 2015:

For me, Rejuvenation is scheduling time where I do nothing but decompress/de-stress. Like most, mine is a busy lifestyle, so I schedule my socializing during the week - and save weekends for me, for doing things that I enjoy, be it cooking, working in the garden, taking a walk, just quiet time. I believe it's the consistency of taking time out from everyday life that make rejuvenation work - sometimes it's hard to really put aside/schedule the time but I feel that's the only way the process will work. I've also decided to rejuvenate by acting on my Bucket List of things I've always wanted to do.

I recently returned from three weeks in Positano, Italy. I went with a friend, and we rented a three bedroom villa - a bedroom for each of us and one for entertaining guests. Did nothing - just got into the culture of the people in the small towns along the Amalfi Coast. Driving is not the best there, so we walked everywhere and had to remember that walking from the villa 60 steps down to the road and then 600 steps to the beach meant that we had to walk back! So it was great exercise as well.

Three weeks gave us the time to get into the culture of the town; we really got to know the people a bit: the grocer down the way, because we went there every day for fresh products … the owner of the little juice bar, where I went every morning … the owner of the boat which we rented 4 or 5 times during our stay - we got to know his family!

Getting into the culture of the people of the area was what I wanted to do. I would next like to do this in the South of France. Then I want to go to Spain, but not to decompress - in Spain I want to tour around and see everything.

Make a Bucket List.

I know this does not work for everyone on the same level, but we can all put aside time if we really schedule it. I was away from my business, but I was confident because I have a good team … and I could be reached by email, if there was a problem.

Just do it. Determine what rejuvenates you … and make it happen!

Side bar: What is America's Beauty Show? It's hundreds of thousands of square feet of wall-to-wall beauty products, where salon professionals go to find out what's new, what's hot and what consumers can expect to see at their local salons in coming weeks!

It's the only place where beauty salon professionals can view over 400 manufacturer exhibits and learn about new beauty products/trends, hot colors in nails, and how to utilize new techniques in hairdressing and hair color. They'll discover latest innovations in hair dryers, flat irons, curlers, hair treatments, hair colors, nail colors, and skin care treatments … even the latest hair extension can give one the fab hair that Momma didn't!

For salon professionals only, America's Beauty Show is owned and produced by Cosmetologists Chicago, one of the nation's largest associations of beauty salon professionals. The Face & Body Show is co-located @ America's Beauty Show.

For more show details, visit americasbeautyshow.com.