Interview: Chamber leader previews New York beauty gala and support for cosmetology professionals

Kiana Aviles, identified in the interview as vice president of the New York Hispanic Beauty and Cosmetology Chamber of Commerce, described services her organization offers to beauty professionals, including help obtaining cosmetology licenses, continuing-education workshops, funding assistance for start-ups and networking opportunities.

Aviles said the chamber helps people who trained abroad navigate licensing requirements in the United States and provides resources for opening and running salons. She said the group also offers continuing-education courses for salon owners and operators.

Aviles described the organization's annual Beauty Gala of Excellence as a red-carpet fundraising and awards event that draws professionals across cosmetology, fashion and small-business sponsors. The gala is scheduled for March 22 at Terrace on the Park and is expected to draw about 500 attendees, she said. The event will include a cocktail hour, awards presentations, performances and other fundraising activities.

Aviles also discussed her own business ventures. She said she launched a beauty line called Vida Essentials and recently introduced a wellness tea; she said Vida Essentials products are being sold at Walmart. She described the tea as a blend of natural herbs including rosemary and hibiscus and said it is intended to support overall wellness, skin and hair health.

The interview concluded with an invitation to purchase tickets and follow the chamber on social media (the New York Hispanic Beauty and Cosmetology Chamber of Commerce) and the organization's website; Aviles asked listeners to join the March 22 gala.

The segment was a promotional interview about community events and small-business entrepreneurship and did not include government decision-making, formal motions, votes or public-policy debate.