L+A is proud to be the Official Media Partner of Awaken Esthetics Retreat, a groundbreaking event that redefines professional education for estheticians and spa leaders.
Barry has worked closely with Shawna to help curate an extraordinary experience for attendees—one designed to go far beyond the typical skincare training. Yes, you’ll find valuable knowledge on treatments and techniques, but the real power of Awaken is in the way it blends high-level business education with personal development.
L+A is Official Media Partner to
Awaken Esthetics Retreat
August 15th – August 19th, 2025
Skamania Lodge, Stevenson, WA.
Awaken Esthetics Retreat an immersive three-day program designed exclusively for motivated estheticians seeking to elevate their career and grow their business. This all-encompassing retreat blends personal development, business development, and cutting-edge esthetic education into a transformative experience.
Shawna paid special attention to selecting a lineup of educators who could inspire you to think outside the box. Imagine learning not only how to master a chemical peel, but also how to build a solid financial plan, why legal protection matters, and how prioritizing self-care can transform you into a stronger business leader.
Awaken is more than a retreat. It’s an opportunity to step away from the treatment room, look at your life and business from a new perspective, and return home with a strategic plan for growth.
Invest In Your Business + Yourself With Awaken Esthetics Retreat Education
You can’t grow without making an investment. If you’re craving time to regroup, recharge, reset, recover, and refocus— you need to Awaken.
That’s why July is all about Business Education at L+A. To give our community a taste of the game-changing insights waiting at Awaken, we’ve partnered with the retreat’s organizers to publish articles from three of their powerhouse educators. These educators highlight why true success in aesthetics doesn’t just come from mastering skin—it comes from mastering your business and yourself.
3 Awaken Educators Share Non-Traditional Educational Articles with L+A
Why Estheticians Need a Lawyer on Their Side
By Andrea Kneiss
In the beauty industry, your reputation and skill matter—but so does legal protection. Many estheticians operate as sole practitioners or small business owners, carrying full responsibility for compliance, contracts, branding, and risk management.
Andrea breaks down why legal issues are too often ignored until something goes wrong, leading to stress, financial losses, or even permanent damage to your business. Her advice? Don’t wait. Proactive legal planning is the smartest way to safeguard your career.
The Value of Experienced Esthetic Educators
By Millicent Russo
We’re living in an era of unprecedented access—access to information, trends, techniques, and countless “gurus.” But in aesthetics, access does not equal expertise.
Millicent, a seasoned esthetician, educator, and lifelong student of skin health, shares why she’s troubled by a recent trend: everyone’s teaching, selling a method, or launching a course—without necessarily having the qualifications. She explains how to separate true expertise from clever marketing, helping you make smart investments in your professional education.
Beyond the Protocol: Choosing Yourself First
By Jessica Lewan
It’s easy to get swept up in chasing the next big thing—the hottest new product line, the trendiest device, the certification that promises more money and more clients.Jessica invites you to pause. As estheticians, coaches, or wellness professionals, we’re constantly told success is just beyond the next purchase. But the truth? Sometimes the best investment you can make is in yourself. Her powerful perspective on self-care will inspire you to prioritize your well-being so you can better serve your clients—and your business.
This Is Just a Glimpse Of Awaken’s Educators
These articles give you only a small sample of the executive-level business education and transformative personal development waiting for you at Awaken.
Want to see who else is speaking?
👉 Meet all the Awaken educators
Ready to regroup, recharge, and take your career to the next level?
Awaken is your opportunity.