Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1337092
Listen to the ASCP Esty Talk podcast at ascpskincare.com/podcasts 65 even though I had my shirt. It had my name, my license number on it. Even with all of that, people would ask why I was there." This experience replayed itself repeatedly, according to Bonner— even at one of the larger local market festivals of "20,000 people or more," where one of the coordinators asked him if he was licensed. Rather than be discouraged, Bonner decided he had a lot of educating to do. "I was at every function, every festival there was," he said. "And that's where I kind of built my name. I did that, of course, to be seen, but I also did it to educate others about the business." Today, Bonner is a Mississippi- approved continuing education provider for both the massage therapy and cosmetology boards, as well as a licensed massage therapy instructor and a member of a diversity task force for education. Bonner has completed more than 3,000 hours of education, including hands-on training, continuing education, and certi‡cation credits. He has no plans to quit learning about his craft, and he has even traveled to Chiang Mai, Thailand, twice for courses in Thai massage. AUTHOR Bonner's aspiration to educate anyone and everyone about the bene‡ts of massage therapy and esthetics—as well as promoting these ‡elds—inspired him to stretch, yet again, as an author. In order to share his own experiences, core principles (faith, determination, dedication, and compassion), and business acumen with a larger audience, Bonner wrote his ‡rst book, Determination + Core Values = Success: A Business-Building Guidebook for New Wellness Entrepreneurs, as a teaching tool. In his book, Bonner teaches readers to recognize and develop their own core values and oŒers step-by-step instruction for setting up a business, including writing a business plan, choosing a support team, calculating the cost of doing business and pro‡t, creating a marketing plan, and more. WHAT'S NEXT? In the words of Bonner, "To think outside the box means to stretch yourself into an uncomfortable space, try new things, and be one step ahead of your game," which he has brilliantly done—and will continue to do. When I suggested he should do a TED talk next, Bonner just laughed. But we both knew, in that moment, that the notion was not out of the realm of possibility—especially because he knows that God's purpose and plan for his life is still "unraveling." Who Is Terrance Bonner? As a native of Columbus, Mississippi, Bonner's bio reflects successes of a man much older than 36. Some of his accomplishments include: • Dual licenses in massage (2011) and esthetics (2014) • Owner and operator of The Glam Station and Spa in Columbus, Mississippi • Mississippi-approved continuing education provider (for both the Massage Therapy and Cosmetology Boards) • NCBTMB-approved provider • Licensed massage therapy instructor • Recognition as "Among the Best Massage Therapists" (2015), "Best Esthetician" (2016, 2018), "Among the Best Estheticians" (2017, 2019), "Best Spa in Mississippi" (2019), "Best Spa for Weddings in Mississippi" (2020) • Author of Determination + Core Values = Success "It hurt to be rejected," Bonner says, "but I was so excited to be able to do massage and esthetics—even though I was in an industry where nobody would hire me. Rejection forced me to open my own door."