KIRSTEN JANUSEWSKI—NO EXCUSES SCHOLAR

The 2017 APP Conference was the best learning and personal development experience that I have had the pleasure of taking part in. Along with five other Scholars, I was awarded the No Excuses Scholarship which was such a memorable, life changing opportunity.

Since starting my latest apprenticeship in March 2016, my goal has been to attend Conference again, but this time with a little more knowledge and confidence. I attended APP Conference for the first time in 2014 and because I lived in Las Vegas, I simply went to classes and went straight home. There was lit- tle to no interaction with anyone and I couldn’t help but feel like I was missing out on a major part of my community’s biggest gathering. This year, I made sure to step out of my comfort zone so I could really embrace the community surrounding me and all of the knowledge they were going to pass along. At first, being around so many professional piercers, who I’ve followed for years on social media, was quite intimidating. Although, knowing that I wanted a much richer experience than my first, I had to overcome some personal social struggles. So to break the ice, I made sure to smile and wave at anyone I saw, as well as introduce myself. Everyone was just as nice and receptive to meeting a fellow piercer.

One of the best parts about my week in Vegas was realizing I wasn’t alone and that no matter how early I was in my career, my peers were there to support me. They made me feel so comfortable and allowed me to pick their brains any chance I got, whether we were sitting by the pool, in a hotel room, or standing by the elevators waiting to go to our next class. Some of my favorite classes this year was Strategic Marking, Navel Piercing: Advanced Fundamentals, and Planning for Success. I also enjoyed the APP Membership Roundtable which answered a lot of questions about becoming a Member and specifications on the requirements.

Coming back to New York to the normal hustle and bustle was a bittersweet feeling. I couldn’t wait to get back and share all the new information and knowledge with my peers and better assist my clients. I was also eager to practice some advanced techniques and improve on current ones. On the other hand, I truly missed everyone I just spent the last week with bonding, swapping stories, and sharing techniques. It is an indescribable comfort to be around so many other like-minded, expressive friends. We all came together to support our industry and expand our knowledge as a collective team. Thank you all for making the 2017 APP Conference unforgettable!

RACHEL HAWLEY—NO EXCUSES SCHOLAR

I want to start off by saying thank you for choosing me for the scholarship. I feel so privileged to have been selected. I took home so much from Conference this year—from the helpful tongue piercing techniques by Ryan Ouellette and his beard-net GoPro ensemble, to Rob Hill’s nonchalant industrial piercing magic. The love and compassion for the industry shown by Elayne Angel and Betsy Reynolds was overwhelming. Alicia Cardenas brought me back to my roots in remembering we are like modern shaman guiding people through their experience or spiritual journey. Being reminded to keep mundane facts interesting for clients was also helpful. Jaymes Lombardi’s speech really hit me hard. I go to work with an entirely different outlook on my job and what it means.

After a week in Las Vegas you’d think I’d come home exhausted, right? WRONG! I was recharged!! Knowing I am not alone and am a part of something HUGE. Much bigger than any one person. The resources are all there and I now know where to get them. I have a huge list of improvements that I’m excited to make!! Not only did I learn so much in class, but from my peers as well. People I never would’ve met otherwise have expanded my friend circle clear to Croatia!! I plan to set up some trips to go visit my peers and learn from them. If it weren’t for the No Excuses Scholarship I wouldn’t have had these opportunities. I really cannot say thank you enough!

ROGAN WATRAL—NO EXCUSES SCHOLAR

It was somehow the longest, and the shortest week of my year. Also, quite possibly the best week I’ve had all year. I urge anyone who has dreamed of going to the APP Conference as I did, to do whatever’s necessary to make sure you attend as soon as possible. Even if it means selling a kidney (ahaha jk please don’t sue me). Everyone will tell you how life changing it is, but you really can’t understand the weight of that statement until you’re there. Even more so, once you start meeting all the wonderful people who attend this event. I met new faces everywhere! In the halls, classes, elevators, by the bar etc. To finally meet some of the people who shaped this industry was something I’ll remember and look forward too forever. Hopefully this next year I’ll be able to donate and give back so that others can be so fortunate.

I’m very grateful to have been chosen as a recipient of the No Excuses Scholarship. The amount  of  knowledge and  experience I gained is priceless. I came back with a renewed sense of energy that I desperately needed. I began new friendships that made me feel like I was with old friends. I can’t wait to see what the coming years at Conference can do for my career and the comfort of my clients. I’m already planning on being back next year.

MISTY ALFORD—NO EXCUSES SCHOLAR

Being accepted as a No Excuses Scholarship for Conference was absolutely the most amazing and life changing experience in my career. This scholarship allowed me to attend several classes. These classes helped me to understand where I needed to implement or update new ways of doing things in different areas of my procedures.

Being able to attend Conference on the No Excuses Scholarship allowed me to network with other piercers from all over the world.   I was able to talk to them about their techniques and why they do things certain ways.

This scholarship allowed me to take a few classes with one of my biggest role models in the piercing industry, Elayne Angel. I was also able to have a few conversations with my other role model, Shorty. He has an amazing amount of knowledge.

I would like to thank Christina Shull and all of the donors that made this opportunity a reality for all of the scholarship recipients.

VICENTE AGUILAR-FERRELL—NO EXCUSES SCHOLAR

 A year ago I began my pursuit to become a professional body piercer at Blue Star. When I began my journey I had already heard of the APP with its Annual Conference and had already decided it to be one of my goals to aid my learning. Fortunately with the generosity of the No Excuses Scholarship sponsors along with what I was able to save, I was able to finally make it to my first Conference. I was excited for the opportunity I had to help me gain more knowledge.

Being at Conference for the first few days almost seemed unreal. Here I was being given the tools to apply to my career which is being organized by people who have the same goals. Then the same people who organized the event are also the instructors for the classes, there was a definite sense of community while I was there even though many including myself were first timers. The classes were very informative and I can’t wait to apply my ideas at the shop and help it and myself grow.

The events that were held after class, especially the ATTB, were a great idea. It gave people the opportunity to spend time and connect with our fellow peers. It was a great way to save money and made sure people didn’t feel like they had to drink just because we were in Vegas. The Banquet was amazing! Seeing everyone dressed up with their fancy jewelry was like prom, but actually fun, plus the food was amazing.

By the end of the week I didn’t want to go home, it almost seemed like the week had flown by. I did want to stop learning. I wanted to keep meeting new people and obviously the pool was a nice to stay at. I hope to be able to make it again and see everyone together again.

GARRETT CRAVEN—NO EXCUSES SCHOLAR

It was my first time attending and also my first experience of anything of this kind. I was also fortunate enough to be accepted as a recipient for the No Excuses Scholarship.

A lot of stress led up to the moment of leaving home and embarking on this adventure. Several people offered their time to try and help prepare me for what lay ahead. It certainly helped paint a picture for me and allowed me to prepare for several things I had not thought of such as maps of the hotel, a re-usable water bottle (necessity!) and a hoodie for inside the hotel.

Upon arriving I was overwhelmed with confusion and the task of getting situated. Almost immediately I started meeting people which helped assure me I wasn’t alone. The amount of people who were welcoming and inviting was more than I’ve ever encountered in my entire life. That played a large role in calming my nerves as I arrived there not knowing a single person in real life and I’ve never been in that situation before. Without that I feel the week would have been hell. I would have been overwhelmed with the Vegas environment and the chaos of getting from class to class.

As each day passed my notebook became flooded with scratchy notes as I couldn’t quite write fast enough trying to get every critical word and bit of information that was new to me. I made sure to download the handout from the app as soon as I arrived in each class so when I got back home I could pair that with my notes to really be able to retain all the information. There were so many great classes that I couldn’t pick one which was most helpful. It was literally information overload. I’ve since then printed out all the handouts (and a few from classes I wasn’t able to attend) and paired them with my notes to have a “go-to” or just a refresher here and there. It was truly an unforgettable experience that has changed the way I do almost everything. Jesse Villemaire mentioned something in the sterilization class that hit me then but struck even harder after getting home, “You’ll want to burn the place down and start from scratch, but just start slow with one change at a time.” Couldn’t be more accurate.

In closing, this Conference is something I am striving to attend for the remainder of my career. Whether to obtain knowledge or meet amazing people you can’t go wrong. When I am able to I will surely donate to any scholarship I can if even just a few dollars. I fear that the people who made it possible for me to attend will never truly know how grateful I am for their donations. It’s hard to even really put to words. I guess it could be somewhat related to someone running up to you and hugging you so tight that you can’t breathe and feel uncomfortable and they give you a big smooch right on the cheek with a huge grin on their face and you’re not really sure why. That’d be my gratitude. Thank you.