I completed a Cosmetology Program in Scranton, Pennsylvania and successfully passed the State Board Exams to receive license. While in Beauty School, I worked as a receptionist at a Department Store Salon. There I learned the basics of client scheduling, marketing, and daily salon activities. I became a pro at cleaning up after others as well learning how to use chemicals and tools I never saw before, even at school!
The day before I graduated from the Cosmetology Program I interviewed and landed a job with a locally owned chain salon. It lasted 2 years. I like to relate this experience to a first love. It was wildly intense. Full of drama. Crazy rewarding. A change -your- life- in- the- shortest- time -possible kind of thing. When it came to an abrupt end (details not necessary), I thought for sure I would NEVER do that again! Just like a first love. I abandoned the idea of a happy ending. This salon life was not for me. I'm not a girly girl. I have no idea what I'm doing. Who am I kidding? I went directly to my local bookstore and applied for a job that surrounded me with geeky guys and lots of information. I worked there for over a year and never thought about a salon. I was in my element.
Until the power of peer pressure convinced me to give the Industry another shot. A close friend of mine, from grade school, had also studied Cosmetology and was employed by a larger chain salon in my area. She convinced me that I would be a perfect fit and would love the salon. She assured me that they offered lots of education to make sure I knew what I was doing. I remember the interview like it was yesterday. Quite possibly the best decision I ever made.
I stayed with that company for 5 years, until once again peer pressure took me in another direction. (There is a pattern forming!) I formed a relationship with another businessperson who was running a local tanning salon for quite a few years and we joined forces, shared a building space, and ran our businesses in unison. Something I never expected took place. My Salon was a huge success, right away. It wasn't long before I was approached by a Product Rep with an offer to teach for the company she represented. At first I was uninterested as I felt I had a lot on my plate. At this point I had recently given birth to my third child, who was only months old, and my oldest was 8, and in third grade and I had been actively involved with volunteering for the PTA. Teach? HA! Me????? OK, I'm flattered, what do I need to do? Go back to school and earn my Educator's license. OK!
I took on a 16 hour a week course, with 600 hours to completion. The more into the program I got, the more I enjoyed the idea of sharing what I had learned and discovered with others. I saw the opportunity to give others the skills I had wished I was given in Cosmetology School. A chance to improve the Industry by educating the future stylists of the world. That's pretty significant.
Immediately after I received license as a Cosmetology Educator (NOT an easy accomplishment by any means), I was given the opportunity to substitute full time at the Beauty School. I said sure. 2 months later I was given my own classroom, educating students at an Advanced level of of their studies.
At that time I closed shop on my own salon and went to work for a very reputable salon super part time. I stayed there for another 3 years until I decided to explore even more options and focused my growth on session work and writing.
I am currently working in my own exclusive salon which allows me to partner with local photographers for session work and at the School I have been given the most AMAZING opportunities! I am now the Student Salon Team Leader at our Campus and the Student Educator Trainer! The Industry has been very good to me. It is my intention to share my knowledge and experiences with others in an effort to inspire, and even humor, those with whom the Industry reaches....
The World!
Tune in. Share.
No comments:
Post a Comment