Cortney Cox has been a licensed esthetician since 2001. Additionally, she has a degree in human services and decades of office management and bookkeeping experience. She has worked in salons, in her own home studio and in a suite. Cortney started her own business, renting a suite, for 9 years.

Cortney specialized in waxing, spray tans, lash lifts, brow henna, brow, and lash tinting. After falling in love with Elleebana Lash Lifts, she became an educator with Elleebana. Cortney eventually became a distributor and a Master Trainer with Elleebana, all while continuing her clients in her suite. Moreover, Cortney also held the position of General Manager for Elleebana USA. She has since returned to her passion of being an esthetician, working with her clients and redirecting her focus with B.A.B.E.

Nevertheless, after years of experience, the educator in Cortney couldn’t stop there. Cortney created her long-held dream of this educational community. As an educator and owner of Brilliance Advanced Beauty Education, she is dedicated to helping others in our industry. Above all, Cortney wants nothing more than to give back and help make the beauty and wellness industry stronger.

Paige Thompson has been part of the beauty industry for over a decade. Paige’s experience varies from working at boutique day spas to owning her own beauty education and training business. Her love for the beauty world began as a high school student and has only expanded and flourished since then.

As a Georgia licensed esthetician, educator, and business owner, Paige has unquestionably experienced many ups and downs of the industry. She is dedicated to helping other beauty professionals succeed without going through unnecessary stress and confusion. Importantly, Paige attributes her accomplishments to finding her industry niche and passion. Undoubtedly, Paige knows, with a little help, every beauty industry professional can develop their own success story, too! 

Ashley Jackson has been in the beauty industry as a licensed hair stylist since circa 2007. She has worked in salon atmospheres for the majority of her career. Starting at Ulta to build the client base and then creating a more intimate setting by working in boutique salons. Additionally, Ashley is also licensed in the State of Illinois as a Cosmetology Educator. She isn’t currently practicing in a beauty school. Nevertheless, Ashley still prides herself in sharing her passion of knowledge continuously with former students, other professionals, and her clients. Undoubtedly, her passion for educating herself and others is a quality that is non-negotiable and almost second nature.

In 2017, Ashley found a niche in doing permanent makeup.  Unquestionably, this shifted her role in the beauty industry as a Hairstylist and Cosmetology Educator to an eyebrow addict. After receiving permanent makeup, herself, she quickly realized this was the transition she needed in her career. Being able to still make one look, feeling great about themselves by creating a shift in the way they looked.

Furthermore, in August 2021, Ashley Jackson Beauty opened doors in downtown Freeport, IL. There, Ashley offers multiple eyebrow and lash services to meet everyone’s needs. These services include: brow waxing, brow tinting, Henna, lash lift and tints, and permanent makeup.

Mandy Frick is a licensed Massage Therapist in IL. She opened her business, Massages By Mandy, in 2003 out of her home. At that time, providing complimentary chair massage in her community was her marketing strategy. 20 years later, she still has some of those same clients! Apart from this, she has worked at several chiropractic offices. Mandy has found that working from home suits her and her family the best. Additionally, she has a degree in Recreational Therapy, which led to several caregiving positions.

Mandy specializes in Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue, Pregnancy Massage, and Face Toning Massage. She enjoys meeting new clients. Without a doubt, Mandy loves being able to treat a variety of ailments while being focused on the clients’ needs. She enjoys mentoring massage therapy students and talking with other bodywork professionals to exchange ideas, too. Since being in the business since 2003, she attributes her longevity in the business to being her own boss. Importantly, this has allowed her to make her own schedule. Giving back to her community has been a priority since opening her business.

Sunshine Social Media specializes in Organic Social Media Marketing. They offer Social Media Management and Coaching. Meghan Cox is the owner of Sunshine Social Media. She has a combined 10 years of experience working in television / advertising at NBC & Leo Burnett. Meghan has experience working top television shows such as the Today Show, & Saturday Night Live. Additionally, she worked on some of the world’s top brands including McDonald’s, Kellogg’s, Hallmark, and Coca-Cola to name a few.

Bridget Nolan, Director, is a former elementary school teacher. She graduated from Drake University, along with a Masters & Reading Specialist Certificate from Olivet Nazarene University. Subsequently she went on to teach in the surrounding Chicago suburbs for over 10 years. Bridget taught 5th & 6th grade as well as a reading specialist & interventionist for grades K-5. It’s Bridget’s background that makes her a unique asset to SSM! Unquestionably, both classroom & social media management require content creation, creativity, management skills, communication, coaching & more.

Alicia has had a passion for beauty and skin her whole life. It started with her love of makeup and its ability to transform, lift spirits, and change attitudes. She was quick to add a love of skincare and its ability to create that ideal canvas.

Before making beauty and skin her career, Alicia graduated with her BS in Psychology and Sociology from North Dakota State University. Although psychology was fascinating to her, she was pulled back to her love of everything skin. In 2007 she obtained her skin certification from Atelier Esthetique in NYC, and her license from NY state. In 2010 she took part in their advanced esthetics program. This included her international certification through the European program ITEC which certified her to work in 38 different countries.

Alicia decided to move back to her home state of Minnesota, where she got married. She decided eyelash extensions was a great way to be able to stay home part time with her family. Through her love of lashing, she found Elleebana. She took their training course and fell in love with the brand. Client education about skin and makeup has always been a passion of hers. So, becoming a trainer for Elleebana was something she was so excited to do. There is so much to learn about in the industry. Alicia loves to be able to be a part of that learning process for others.

Vanessa J Love is a natural-born Healer, Psychic Medium, and gifted Teacher, blending the ancestral wisdom of her Indigenous Mexican and Eastern European heritage with modern healing modalities. Guided by Shamanic Medicine Men and the herbal healers of her lineage, she offers transformative sessions that connect clients to their soul’s deeper purpose, bringing healing and clarity to their lives.

Vanessa’s journey into healing began in the beauty industry. After graduating from Pivot Point in 2004 as a licensed cosmetologist, she shifted her focus to aesthetics two years into her career. She went on to work at one of Chicago’s top spas, Allyu Spa, for about nine years, where she also served as the resident Reiki teacher for seven years. Her expertise extended beyond hands-on treatments—she worked as a sales representative and educator for Eminence Organics and Epicuren Discovery from 2007 to 2020. Through working with people’s skin, she realized that true transformation happens from the inside out, igniting her path toward holistic healing.

With over 16 years of dedicated metaphysical practice, Vanessa has cultivated a wide array of healing modalities, including Reiki, Medical Qigong, Hatha Yoga, and Astrology, to support individuals in releasing energetic blocks and old stories that keep them from living a life they love. She believes that at its essence, everything is energy, and by learning to move and work with this energy, people can heal, manifest, and create the life they truly desire.

As a passionate educator since 2007, Vanessa has taught and attuned dozens of students, many of whom have gone on to become teachers themselves. She played a significant role in bringing Reiki into the Chicago spa industry, helping bridge the gap between beauty and energetic healing. Her core philosophy centers around making the most of this one life on Earth, empowering others to heal themselves and step into their full potential.

When not teaching or healing, Vanessa loves traveling, basking in the serenity of the beach, and deepening her understanding of astrology. She enjoys deep conversations about life, psychology, and the universe, finding inspiration in the beauty and mystery of existence.

Through her psychic readings, energy healing, and mentorship program, Vanessa brings a unique blend of creativity, playfulness, and deep magic. Though she has an ethereal aura, she is deeply grounded, real, and raw—connecting with everyday people in a way that sets her apart. Whether healing, teaching, or guiding, Vanessa’s work is dedicated to raising the vibration of the planet, one soul at a time.

A passion for all things beauty and a struggle with acne inspired Tiffany to choose skincare as her lifelong career. After earning her Bachelor of Arts degree, she attended the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis. Subsequently, Tiffany graduated with honors in Esthiology Science. There she also learned ancient wellness rituals, including yoga and meditation, which she still practices today. Tiffany opened her boutique skincare spa in the Chicago suburbs 17 years ago. Thanks to her loyal clients, she is booked solid months in advance.

Throughout her 24 years in the industry, Tiffany has continued her esthetics education and honed her craft to exceptional standards. It should be noted, her specialty is designing curated and unique services for her clients. Nevertheless, in 2018 Tiffany felt drawn to her roots in alternative wellness. She certified as an energy healing practitioner, including Usui and Karuna Reiki, chakra alignment, gemstone therapy and a meditation guide.

Undoubtedly, Tiffany enjoys being a supporter and mentor to her fellow beauty professionals. She hopes that the courses she offers here can be a useful contribution to the industry she loves and is proud to be a part of.

I fell in love with the beauty industry at the very beginning of my career in 2017. Soon after graduating, I began working as a booth renter in a popular salon in my area. I spent the next five years working on my skill, learning from some of the best artists in the industry and obtaining multiple certificates for lash and brow treatments.

While being a lash and brow artist was gratifying, I decided to pursue a career in education with the Elleebana brand in 2021. After working alongside top educators in the US and gaining valuable knowledge and experience, I took a leap and opened a lash and brow-focused spa, Master Lash Beauty Bar & Academy. My aim was to create a positive environment where artists are happy to work, where clients can be confident, they are receiving top-tier services, and where students receive the highest level of education. Currently, Master Lash Academy offers courses in Lash Lifting, Lash Lamination, Brow Lamination, Classic Lash Extensions, and Volume Lash Extensions.

Ultimately, my goal is to play a pivotal role in the future development of the lash and brow industry and to serve as a mentor to the next generation of artists.

Carly Ann Moore is the creator and owner of Your Beauty Business Academy, mindset coaching and online courses for solo beauty professionals, as well as those who have a desire to launch their own business. With over twenty years behind the chair, she has mastered the skills to grow a loyal client base, implement smart business practices and therefore create sustainability, time freedom and choice in her businesses.

Linda Amato has been teaching advanced aesthetics for over 20 years. Linda started her career in esthetics practicing as an esthetician and laser technician.

Linda found her true passion in advanced esthetics training and education and has helped develop clinical training programs for estheticians and medical professionals around the world. She is a contributing author to Milady Standard Esthetics: Fundamentals 12th Edition, writing CHAPTER 6: Skin Care Products: Chemistry, Ingredients, and Selection.

Throughout the years she has gained valuable experience in many aspects of the esthetics industry, including medical spa management, marketing, sales, coaching, and clinical education. Today, in addition to mentoring skin care professionals she owns and operates a clinical skin care studio, cryotherapy clinic, and wellness center.

Liz Hernandez is an esthetician in Illinois and owner of Mar Beauty Lounge in Chicago. She has 8 years of experience in esthetics and specializes in body waxing and lash services and has been an educator for 3 years.

She has worked in high end spas and small owned spas and decided to open her salon in Streeterville, Chicago. Through all of the years Liz has noticed that it’s truly important to be able to provide top tier service to clients to make them want to come back and trust you as a professional. Education is very important to help beauty professionals keep growing. After many years in this industry she learned many things and feels confident in what she does and loves to share her knowledge with others. This is why she has decided to build her lash course to make sure that professionals who wish to add these services to their menu that they get proper training. She acknowledges her students trust and makes sure once they leave her course they are confident in the service they came to learn.