It’s one thing to use technology for—well, literally everything these days— but it’s another to meet the people who actually build it.
At Vagaro’s iconic.25 conference, I found myself surrounded by not only like-minded and driven industry pros, but also leaders from Visa, Google, and Vagaro. Yet, what stood out most wasn’t how advanced or futuristic their products were, it was the people behind them.
The event reminded me that even the most powerful tools in our industry come from human hands, ideas, and intention. It’s easy to forget that when all we see are screens and buttons. Watching these massive brands and corporations come to life through real people made me feel hopeful, not just for the future of tech and beauty, but for the solopreneurs staying up late to grind, the supermoms balancing new side hustles and families, and even the seasoned owners opening their second, third, or fourth locations.
I felt the intention behind the tools we use.
Bonding Over Shared Journeys
It’s easy to see companies like Google or Vagaro as these distant, far-off tech powerhouses, useful, yes, but almost otherworldly in size. Incapable of being relatable. At iconic.25, I saw that perception shifted.
Hearing directly from the people behind our apps or tools was a powerful reminder that accessibility and empathy sit at the heart of innovation.
From Visa’s conversations about financial wellness and planning for growth to Vagaro’s ongoing commitment to giving solopreneurs enterprise-level tools, iconic.25 created a space where our connections with our industries (and each other) could blossom.
For attendees like Jamie Rose, owner of After Glo Beauty Collective, the event was more than just inspiring, it was personal. “I had an amazing time at iconic.25. The entire weekend was filled with energy, inspiration, and connection. It was incredible to see everyone so engaged, ready to learn, grow, and network with fellow business owners. This experience was especially meaningful for me because I had the opportunity to share my journey and insights while speaking in one of the panels. Being recognized and included in such an iconic conversation was truly an accomplishment I'll never forget. I can't wait for the next one.” That sense of closeness and shared purpose was exactly what every attendee, myself included, was pleasantly surprised to feel.
Real Talk, Real Connections
The real magic of iconic.25 wasn’t on the stage. Between sessions, at dinner, and throughout the weekend, something special unfolded: connection.
“There’s nothing like getting like-minded business owners and people inspired to be great in one room, at one event, with breakout sessions that all lead to growth and friendships,” celebrity barber John Mosley reflected.
At the Beauty Playbook booth, I saw firsthand how a simple conversation can spark something powerful. There were salon owners chatting with wellness coaches, freelance artists trading notes with med spa founders, new entrepreneurs finding mentors, and seasoned pros rediscovering inspiration. Everyone came from different corners of the industry, but all shared the same drive to grow, learn, and elevate one another.
The message was clear: No matter where you’re at in your business journey, you’re never alone.
That sense of unity—of humans supporting humans—is what makes the beauty industry so resilient. It’s what transforms technology from a tool into a bridge, connecting creators, clients, and companies alike.
iconic.25 wasn’t just a showcase of what’s possible with the right tech, no. It was a reminder that real progress happens when people come together with open minds and shared purpose.
Because in the end, the most powerful thing we can create is a thriving community, not only a successful business.
The Future is Built Together
What stood out most from iconic.25 was the shared vision that carried through every conversation. From tech leaders to independent artists and solopreneurs, everyone in the room was working toward building more empowered and more human industries.
That’s what makes events like iconic.25 so special. They remind us that behind every platform, every cool new feature, and every success story are people, people who believe in lifting others up, in learning from one another, and in creating something bigger than themselves.