Leading by Example

Carmen DePasquale, founder and CEO of DePasquale Companies, was inducted into the Professional Beauty Association's Hall of Leaders during the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) gala ceremony at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas in July. Sponsored by the Professional Beauty Association (PBA), NAHA is the most elite hairstyling competition in North America, and induction into the Hall of Leaders, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the hair and beauty industry, takes place every year. Past inductees include professional beauty industry leaders Bruno Mascolo, CEO of TIGI; John Paul DeJoria of John Paul Mitchell Systems; the late Jheri Redding; and Vidal Sassoon.

 Carmen DePasquale
Carmen DePasquale

A visionary and industry pioneer, DePasquale's passion has been to create a full circle of beauty. Today his companies touch all aspects of the industry, from manufacturing to distribution, salon and spa services to education. "I am greatly honored to receive such a prestigious award. To be recognized by your peers for doing what you love is absolutely amazing; to be included with some of the industry's most prominent luminaries is priceless," he says.

DePasquale, who was born and raised in Patterson, NJ, began his career as a stylist in 1966. It was a time when society and its attitude toward beauty were in great transition. Still, this historic and imaginative time served to inspire him. One thing he learned early on was that by broadening his knowledge and sharing it with those around him, he actually broadened the range of possibilities. Now, 40 years after he first began, DePasquale is still inspired by beauty. "All my companies reflect that inspiration," he says.