About Us
Why the IPA was started
The International Pedicure Association was developed for the modern pedicurist worldwide, to help meet their needs and concerns regarding pedicures. Through a support network along with the highest levels of education in the industry, safe high quality pedicures can be achieved. To help elevate and differentiate pedicurists who wish to go beyond their basic education, the International Pedicure Association was founded by the late Dr. Dennis Arnold in 2004.
Dr. Dennis Arnold was a leader breaking ground in a new direction he led by example by becoming a liaison between podiatrists and nail technicians. He broke down the barriers for the safety of the technicians as well as the general public. Dr. Arnold’s inspiration was to set pedicurists apart by providing opportunities for advanced education and infection control information for those who chose to go further, thus elevating their status in the industry. His gentle manner and dedication to the technicians is still being talked about today by the pedicurists who knew him making his vision of the International Pedicure Association (IPA) come to life.
Dr Arnold, DPM was a podiatrist from Ft. Worth, Texas
and passed away October, 2008. He was known by his peers as an excellent surgeon who had achieved all levels of certification available in his industry. Through his estate, the request came for continuing the dream of the late Dr Arnold and our new management team was created. We set about reorganizing the IPA and to keep the momentum by re-opening the doors in January 2009. In the early days, under the new management team, the objective was to maintain the association whilst transitioning the business to the new team. One of the major back office roles was to reconcile four years of paperwork.
Running an organization requires a significant amount of human resource and innovation to maintain its presence and momentum in the marketplace. Whilst the International Pedicure Association has still remained visible - several media articles have been published - there was a lull in updating the website with essential information. However, the new management team of the International Pedicure Association was able to implement the free monthly webinar to members. In May 2009, the International Pedicure Association offered its very first webinar to members.
We also enlisted the help of an Advisory Board, which consists of industry experts. These experts offer expert advice in all facets of a nail technician’s work life as support. Our Advisory Board does encompass a medical doctor who specializes in the diabetic foot and who runs a clinic out of his local hospital (a very real danger to the uneducated pedicurist), podiatrists, a pedorthist, educators, business consultants to assist in financial advice, public relations for marketing, etc.
The Future
In 2011, the management of the International Pedicure Association agreed to embark upon a major new project to raise the profile of the IPA by educating our members and the consumer. Our first step was to update our motto. Our new motto is:
"Advocates of Safe Pedicuring Through Education and Support"
Our goal/aspiration is simple:
"We want to be the one stop shop for all questions, education and support in the Pedicure Industry".
In order to achieve our objectives, we are introducing a range of new features, such as consumer articles, member only webinars, newsletters, articles, questions and answers, educational gallery of foot conditions and many other features (which will be released at a later date) which are all designed to educate and promote the practice of safe and hygienic pedicures for the public and pedicurists.
Our aspirations for consumers and members are simple.
It is the consumer’s right to expect that they are the recipient of sterilized implements, disinfected pedicure bowls and sanitized stations. However, as they say, people don’t know what they don’t know – and this is the sad but true state of many pedicurists education. All education is not taught by experts in the field and emphasis may not be on infection control. Cross-contamination in salons is a huge problem today and it is our wish to help prevent the problems associated with this by way of education through webinars, newsletters and tips.
Our goals are:
To reach as many pedicurists as possible with the express purpose of providing education that can be passed along to the clients. This education is to protect both parties. It is our goal that consumers demand a safer pedicure, as is their right, resulting in less infections and fungus. Responsibility to safety makes this a win/win situation.
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