Boosting
Survivors’ Self
Esteem
Barbara E. McCoy never aspired to be a tattoo
artist. But she also never could have predicted the difference
she now
makes in the
lives of burn and breast cancer patients.
As founder of The Center
for DermaGraphics, Inc. in the La Jolla/UTC area, McCoy performs
permanent cosmetic procedures including scar
camouflaging and facial restoration for burn victims,
and areola and nipple restoration for breast cancer patients
post breast reconstruction. McCoy notes, “Clients are elated to
find there is a procedure that can make them feel more whole and
complete again.” Also a senior nurse anesthetist at UCSD Medical
Center for the past 30 years, McCoy’s interest in the field bloomed from
a combination of administering anesthetics for all types of surgical
procedures and a firm belief in giving back to the community.
“I have discovered a most gratifying and
rewarding second career,” she expresses. “While a tattoo
can change a person’s looks, permanent and corrective cosmetics
and medical tattooing can change a person’s life.” (858/735-4810,
www.ctrforderm.com) — Mia Stefanko, photo by Vincent Knakal
Changing Lives: Brian Witkin
In the world of Brian Witkin, who looks like a
member of a ’60s British punk rock band, music is everything.
The 20-year-old began performing at the age of three. In sixth
grade he formed a band called No Limits and performed with his
younger brother on drums at their Del Mar Elementary School’s
6th grade graduation.
But it was in high school that Witkin was attracted to the business
side of music. He started his own home-based record label, Real2Reel
Records, producing and selling
CDs, including a compilation CD featuring local San Diego bands.
No Limits was over, and his new project, The Warrior Finches, decided
to make
an album of their own original material.
Now running the Pacific
Records Store (the new name of his record label) situated inside
the Mira Mesa Epicentre, a teen center during
the day and an all-ages music venue in the evenings, Witkin speaks
fervently about his future music business plans.
We discuss Harmonium,
a nonprofit organization that operates the Epicentre. They view
Witkin as a role model for their One-Stop
Shop Music Program, which offers youths a free systematic guide
to record production. Participants learn the skills and elements
of the music industry from conception to final product, including
songwriting, recording, and marketing.
Here at his Pacific Records
Store, Witkin sells CDs, promotes local bands, and sells promotional
band merchandise including clothing, buttons, and stickers, all
manufactured by his company Wingnut Media
Group Inc. (WMG). President Witkin reports to have five employees
and
expresses disappointment that the interview doesn’t
take place at his company’s new 2,500-square-foot office
in Otay Mesa. There, he could show me CD duplication, packaging,
and design,
as well as manufacturing.
Witkin is seeking investment capital
and hands me a business plan, saying, “I would appreciate
you mentioning this because my goal is to open additional
Pacific Records stores within existing
nationwide venues like this.” Vice president and school
friend, Stefan Georgi, has already contributed $10,000 of
capital in return
for stock.
Witkin’s dialogue is focused and fast-paced,
leaving one with the distinct impression that the music business
runs at high
speed. This former student of La Jolla Country Day School
and Torrey Pines High School displays a rare kind of determination
and I visualize a young Bill Gates absorbed
in his garage developing Microsoft.
If genetics play a role
in Witkin’s life, the road
he travels is not a surprising one. His dad, Joe, an emergency
room doctor,
played in the band Sha Na Na at Woodstock in 1969. His parents
now perform in a prominent classic rock band, The Corvettes,
which his mother manages fulltime. Growing up, the Witkin
home in Del
Mar contained a professional recording studio and over 50
guitars. Witkin’s parents have fully supported his
love of the music industry and have played a strong supportive
role. Ross Ambers,
director of the Epicentre, also lends his support to the
young entrepreneur. “I first came to the Epicentre in high
school when I had no money and wanted to put on my own show in
celebration
of making the compilation CD,” says Witkin. The two
formed a strong relationship, with Ambers later initiating
the idea for
the in-venue record store.
The Epicentre is a popular,
active venue, with an excellent stage and sound system.
It has a close working relationship
with the
House of Blues and is a performance venue for many national
and local bands. Here, through Harmonium, Witkin receives
instruction in concert production, record promotion, and
music distribution
from qualified experts, gaining hands-on experience with
a complete
digital recording studio with state-of-the-art audio and
mixing equipment.
“The program here is incredible,” says
Witkin, who is collaborating with Torrey Pines High School to create
an internship program with
Pacific Records at the Epicentre. “Harmonium gave
me the chance to learn about the things I love best. If
music and the
music business interests you — come here, there is
nothing else like it.” — Ingrid Hoffmeister,
Photography by Vincent Knakal
Harmonium was founded in 1979.
Director of the Epicentre: Ross Ambers
Mission Statement: Joining neighborhood
resources to support families and build healthy communities through
accessible and personalized
childcare, counseling, and community services. Approximately 10
to 12 percent of the agency’s overall cost
are allocated to administrative cost.
Current funding objectives: To develop
meaningful partnerships with organizations that understand the
vision of the teen center.
The organization’s biggest challenge: Brand labeling in the
San Diego area.
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