BBYF - OUR HISTORY

Written by: Alison O'Neil, Beauty Becomes You Founder

2004

July: My father says to me...6 weeks prior to his death..."Ali, Beauty becomes you" . It means to me, "thank you for everything you have given for me while I have been ill, as it is the things you do for others that make you beautiful. For that, you have become beauty."

September: My good friend Tim Hogan offers to arrange a few meetings for me in NYC to consider moving professionally into industry.

October: I have several meetings with some remarkable people. Tom Moloney says, I know who you need to meet Joe Spellman!

November: I come back for my very important meeting to Estee Lauder and to meet the renowned Joe Spellman. Just prior to my meeting I am reminiscing to myself and friends about when at the age of 7 (1967) I was lost in a Florida department store called Maas Brothers, I was rescued by a lovely Estee Lauder representative. To console me, she gave me one of the first "gift with purchase" packets of a YouthDew Trio of products. I carried that packet and the memory of her with me for more than 30 years believing that I would one day either work for Estee Lauder or be just like her. You might imagine how 11/9/04 is one of the most thrilling days of my life before I even arrive to meet you.

I am pleasantly greeted by Sharon Meyerson and then I am led to Joe's office. I tell my very long story of my own professional development, my possible book which carries the title my father had said to me, Beauty Becomes You, and my desires to move into the beauty industry. All of this, to someone who I don't know at all but who is so respectful of my going on and on. A thoughtful smile and a few thoughts from Joe Spellman including how difficult it is for anyone to come into the industry when they have not started behind the counter, (I had heard this always), but more importantly how he understood the 'good' I had done for so many people and that I really didn't belong in the world of industry and I needed to continue helping others. How 'Beauty Becomes You' was not the title of a book, it was the name of a charity. And, that I should start it and that perhaps one day Estee Lauder and the cosmetic industry might support it.

WOW! Never expected that advice. After wandering out to the street, where it is amazing I was not struck by a taxi (a sign that this is my destiny?) I call a good friend and ask, "How do you start a charity?" Initially, I am assuming the charity will serve the population I have spent my life serving, those who have lost their appearance to trauma and chronic illness.

The story unfolds...

2005:

January, February, March: I continue seeing my patients. There are no signs that this is the population or that I will even be able to start a charity, but I keep trying.

April: I am invited to a dinner with the Director of Philanthropy of the AARP Foundation who is visiting Atlanta. She is starting a Women's Initiative and after learning of my 25+ year practice in Clinical Aesthetics wonders if I have a book? She invites me to speak in June to women from around the country. I create the journal for
the "book" (which is not written) called From Glamour to Grace...Beauty Becomes You. (Do not even think of a connect with the charity with seniors at this point!)

May: continue my practice.

June: I speak at the AARP conference on a panel with 5 other PUBLISHED authors. Women want my journal for their "LaLa sisterhood" groups. I only had 35 printed. (I still do not think about the charity.)

July: I am invited by my sister who is emcee for a Meal to Remember benefitting Meals on Wheels ,to an open house celebrating the 40th anniversary of Senior Citizen Services of Metro Atlanta. While touring the center and noticing that EVERYTHING is lit up, I separate from the group I am with and find myself in a dark area. In this location there are two old shampoo bowls and two old shampoo chairs and an old manicure stand with nail polish, etc.. I wonder why this is in the dark when every other area is lit up? I find the director and bring her to the area. I ask her why? She shakes her head and says, "This is the favorite place for our "members". But we can't keep it staffed and we can't afford product. Then my light bulb went on This is what Beauty Becomes You needs to provide!

August: A mission statement and vision statement start to develop. We look for someone to help write the documents for the 501(c)(3). With no monies we need a volunteer.

September: A young, recently graduated law student who is waiting to take her boards volunteers to take on this project although she is unfamiliar with the process. KATRINA hits New Orleans!

October, November, December: Concentration on the documents.

2006:

January: We finally apply for our 501(c)(3). We receive a letter stating to contact the IRS in 3 months. We have our first board meeting.

March: Contact IRS and are told that because of all the charities being started to aid Katrina it will be at least a year and a half before we are granted our 501(c)(3).

April: Investigate how to expedite the process... learn that if we have a donor and a letter that we can expedite.

May: Get a donor/ letter sent by them to IRS.

June: Another letter sent to IRS process continues. Bike Ride Across Georgia - our first team of National Treasures Cyclists jerseys with sponsors are provided to cyclists (15 total). Cycling for Seniors.

July: BBYF receives 501(c)(3) non-profit status.

August: Board meeting

September: Launch Senior Programs "Day of Timeless Beauty". Held at Calvin Court. (50 seniors receive over 100 services). Program is filmed.

October: 1st Age of Elegance Polo Benefit

November: Board meeting

December: 2nd Day of Timeless Beauty Lutheran Towers (45 seniors receive 90 services) : Atlanta CBS affiliate selects Alison O'Neil and Beauty Becomes You Foundation for their special segment, "Good People" Commentator Brenda Wood.

2007:

January: Board meeting

February: Day of Timeless Beauty

March: 2nd Annual Ladies Hat Luncheon

April: Applied for Beauty Becomes You Trademark

May: Board meeting

June: 2nd annual BRAG (Bike Ride Across Georgia: Cycling for Seniors. 25 members are given jerseys afforded by Sponsors).

July: 1st anniversary 501(c)(3)

August: Princess Diana Tiara Party: Private party makes BBYF the beneficiary raises $13,000.00!

September: Senior lecture at The Lou Walker Senior Center (20 seniors).

October: 2nd Annual Age of Elegance Polo Benefit 1st of 2 International Trademarks for BBYF received.

November: Day of Timeless Beauty for seniors (45 seniors receive 75 services); Board Meeting.

December: NYC

2008:

January: A Day of Timeless Beauty - (40 seniors receive 80 services) Campbell Stone Apartments.

February: NYC

March: 2nd International Trademark for BBYF received.

April: Day of Timeless Beauty - Lou Walker Senior Center (45 seniors receive 150 services); 3rd Annual Elegant Ladies Hat Luncheon.

May: Day of Timeless Beauty Lutheran Towers = (55 seniors receive 85 services) Celebration of Older Adults Month Congressman John Lewis attends and invites me to his office in Washington, D.C.; Visit to NYC.

June: Executive Center for Professional Leadership 1 week training program for CEO's and Executive Directors of non profits worldwide. 40 people are selected from around the world. BBYF Alison O'Neil Andrew is on of the 40! Program is taught by professors from George Washington University, Georgetown Business School and Harvard; 3rd annual BRAG National Treasures Senior Cycling team. 30 members aged 60-80 years old.

July: 2nd anniversary 501(c)(3)

August: St. Bartholomew's Senior presentation lecture to 30 seniors; Board Meeting.

September: Day of Timeless Beauty - North Fulton Senior Services - (75 seniors received over 300 services) - 35 volunteers. Largest senior program to date. FOX affiliate Channel 46 covers story.

October: 3rd Annual Age of Elegance Polo Benefit: elected to go ahead despite the economy.

November: Channel 46 airs segment; Board meeting.

2009:

April: 4th Annual "Elegant Ladies" Hat Luncheon

June: 4th Annual BRAG

September: Jane Seymour "A Most Elegant Weekend"

October: 4th Annual "Age of Elegance" Polo Benefit

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