Vicki Peters, Jan. 1954 - Dec. 31st, 2014, "A Nail Industry Pioneer"

Vicki Peters, Jan. 1954 - Dec. 31st, 2014, "A Nail Industry Pioneer"

Ciao bella,

You always hope that the New Year will bring a fresh beginning, whether to start something over or take a new path in whatever your dreams hold. However to lose someone who mentored you immeasurably in your career just at the start of a New Year truly reflects on my past accomplishments. I took it for granted.

I had the pleasure of meeting Vicki Peters many moons ago when nail shows were locally easy to get to! She became an icon in the nail industry. Wearing many hats in her never ending career as working in a salon, nail competitions, consulting, having her own line of products and the way I came to know her best was writing for and cover photos for my (nail Bible) fav mag NAILS MAGAZINE! She was also known for many other nail publications.

As an award winning professional Vicki demonstrated her championship nail expertise as a global educator training nail techs from around the world with online educational programming. Always a staunch advocate for nail techs her determination never wavered!

When I say, "Took it for granted," I'll explain. I would receive my monthly Nails magazine and always couldn't wait to see the latest products, nail colors and nail fashions! And there would be Vicki doing some extraordinary task to make our industry a noteworthy profession. The inspiration was always there with Vicki. Her educational Nail Cruises to the islands always sounded so amazing that I thought someday I might actually have the privilege to sail with this mighty group of nail techs. Just the idea was enough encouragement to be the best I can be as a nail tech. Of course Vicki's passion set me on a successful course in my trade.

Her stories of accomplishment and fame will forever be cherished from all of us who knew her. As for the newbies get a grip on Vicki's philosophies and let her ideas flourish so you can be the best YOU can be! Pay it forward darlings!

Buona giornata and God bless the United States of America!

--Mary N. DiZazzo-Trumbull

Read prior weeks' "All That Zazz" columns at www.allthatzazz.com. Mary is a third-generation cosmetologist and a Massachusetts distributor of Kosmea brand rose hip oil products. She may be contacted at (978) 470-8183 or mary@mary4nails.com.