Michelle D’Allaird Brenner is a New York State licensed aesthetician and International CIDESCO Diplomat. She is the owner of the Aesthetic Science Institute aesthetic schools in Syracuse and Latham, N.Y. She is a consultant and educator for international cosmetic companies around the world. D’Allaird is a contributing author to major industry trade magazines, as well as a host and speaker for International Congress of Esthetics and Spa conferences in Miami, Philadelphia, Dallas, and Long Beach. She is also a co-author of Salon Fundamentals, an aesthetic textbook. Her expertise lies in education and curriculum development for aesthetic, medical, and laser courses.

1. In one word, describe yourself!
   
   Inspirational
   
   
2. What’s your personal mantra?
   
   Everything in life is a choice…everything.  Where you are, where you’re going and where you will end up…its all about the choices you make.
   
   
3. What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?
   
   Vodka martinis with blue cheese olives!
   
   
4. How do you spend most of your time?
   
   Saying a little prayer and being thankful for achievements, accomplishments and special people in my life.
   
   
5. Favorite type of skin care product? Why?
   
   Serums…power packed infusions that saturate the skin with benefits.
   
   
6. What’s something most people don’t know about you?
   
   I’m no where near as social as people think!  I’m a really private person and my husband and his are the focus of every free minute I have.
   
   
7. How would you describe your leadership style and how has it benefited you throughout your career?
   
   I lead by example, I never expect for others what I can not and will not do myself, and I treat everyone on the team as an equal…including myself.
   
   
8. What’s most important to your business: mission, core values, or vision? Why?
   
   Core Values…because without them, achieving a mission or having a seeking a vision isn’t possible.
   
   
9. What’s one characteristic you believe every leader should possess? Why?
   
   Courage.  A leader needs to lead through good and bad, happy and sad…and every trail and tribulation. This takes massive courage.  You will never find a true leader that didn’t push through their fears to show their team how its done!
   
   
10. What are the biggest trends in the spa industry?
    
    Back to basics!  I think the tables are turning and both professionals and clients are seeking the foundation of youth and beauty…healthy, nurtured, properly cared for skin and body.
    
    
11. What is the biggest challenge facing the industry today?
    
    The legality of scope of practice.  There are so many new techniques and devices hitting the market every single day.  Estheticians are struggling with what “really” falls within our scope of practice.