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Editor's Blog

Industry Consultant Shares Current Outlook for Beauty School Grads

Published: May 01, 2009
by Rosanne Ullman

Now and then I like to tap industry observers for their big-picture view of beauty schools and employment opportunities. Recently I was speaking with Cyrus Busara, president of Professional Consultants and Resources (www.procons

ultants.us), Plano, Texas, a leading salon industry data and strategic consulting company. Cyrus informed me he expects cosmetology school enrollment to rise this year.

“During years of high unemployment, many more students flock to beauty schools to pursue either a full-time vocation in cosmetology or extra part-time earnings, since many of them can qualify pretty quickly to get a state cosmetology license,” he said. That makes sense; by the time you’re licensed and ready to go, the recession may be wrapping up.

When I asked Cyrus what graduates will face in the salon job market, he cited a 2008 industry study indicating that chains like Great Clips and Sports Clips have staffing needs because they’re growing by leaps and bounds, while independent salons are experiencing more challenges to stay competitive. “Rentals are a burgeoning part of the salon industry,” he added, “and many of today’s beauty school students would love to be entrepreneurs and rent their own space in booth rental salons.” Further, when schools are associated with a product line—Paul Mitchell, Aveda and Toni&Guy are examples—the graduates often get preference in joining salons associated with the same company. “Usually a Paul Mitchell School student would love to go to work at a Paul Mitchell Salon,” Cyrus noted. “Even independent schools are usually approached by local salons.”

Photo is courtesy of Patrick McGivor Color Studio.

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Beauty School Grad Krissy Targets the Newest Salon in Town

Published: April 27, 2009
by Rosanne Ullman

We rejoin Krissy, who decided shortly after completing cosmetology school that she would like to work at the ULTA Salon in her town, Portage, Michigan. Although she’d taken a different job right out of beauty school, she seized an opportunity to jump

to ULTA.

“I chose to work at ULTA because I knew it was going to be a huge hit in Portage,” explains Krissy, who was hired within a month of the location’s grand opening. “I knew that everyone would be interested in the new store and we’d get really good word-of-mouth advertising, since ULTA carries everything. Just like the advertisement says, ULTA is the store AND salon on everyone’s lips! We definitely needed something like this in Portage, and I knew people would be intrigued enough to come in and especially to try out the salon! Also, I was always worried about being the “new girl” in the salon—the only one who was slow and didn’t have a huge clientele; I was scared of having to meet huge quotas and the push to get busy. But at ULTA even though other stylists might not be as new to the profession as I was, at least they would all be new to the salon. I have always been a huge believer in ULTA and am always excited to tell people about the store and salon. It’s exciting!”

Krissy discovers that working is not the same as attending beauty school. I’ll tell you all about her experiences next time!

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Mel’s Choice of Beauty School Can’t Miss!

Published: April 23, 2009
by Rosanne Ullman

Welcome to the end of my story arc about Mel, who was having a hard time deciding between two beauty schools that were $4,000 apart in tuition price. Both were great schools, and Mel did a terrific job thinking it all through before choosing...drum roll, please...Carsten’s Aveda Institute. What swayed her?

While Mel’s primarily interested in hair, she believes her career will benefit from a broad foundation that includes spa basics. Aveda schools hold classes in hair, nails, skin care and massage.
Carsten, the owner, is not only a businessman but also a celebrated and successful hairdresser who personally teaches some classes. “He teaches a French-style cutting technique that sets his institute apart from most schools,” Mel reports.
The price is right for learning the fundamentals to pass the state boards. Mel says, “Once I have a job in a salon, I will get additional training on how they would like me to cut and color. And as with any career that is based on fashion and trends that change, it will be essential for me to continue my education with classes and seminars to stay up with the trends over the years.”
Aveda has a good reputation. “More people are beginning to prefer natural, organic and environmentally friendly options,” Mel notes. “As an important trend in the industry, it is a good decision to go to a school that will educate me on this aspect of cosmetology.”

Mel says she can’t wait to start cosmetology school!

Photo: Carsten Wilms

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How to Choose When You’re Deciding Between Two Cosmetology Schools

Published: April 19, 2009
by Rosanne Ullman

Last time, Mel was trying to decide between Beauty School A, which she preferred, and Beauty School B, where tuition was $4,000 cheaper. I gave Mel four suggestions:

1. Search online for reviews and comments not just about each of the two chains, but also about the particular locations you

would attend. Try to find both complaints and praise from students who have attended.
2. Stop into several upscale salons in your area. Ask the owners or managers whether they recommend one school over the other and why.
3. Through their literature and websites, compare the two schools for: how many hours you’ll be on the floor doing hair on real clients; how vigorously they prepare you for the state boards; the percentage of entering students who graduate; the percentage of graduating students who pass the boards; how much they focus on business skills, money management and general life skills; their success in job placement; and the teachers’ background and training.
4. Visit each school one more time. How clean is it? Do students look engaged? Are people smiling and having fun? Get really in touch with how you feel while you're there. Are you comfortable picturing yourself in that program?

After that research, if the pricier school rose above the other one, I advised Mel to pay the extra tuition. However, if she felt that the cosmetology schools were still pretty even, I thought she should attend the less expensive one. Next time I’ll reveal the school Mel selected.

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Beauty School Advisor Blog Reader Asks a Great Question

Published: April 15, 2009
by Rosanne Ullman

A blog reader, Mel, recently wrote to me that she was excited about choosing to attend cosmetology school and had narrowed down her choices to two great schools. The trouble was she couldn’t decide between them, and she asked me for advice.

After visiting both beauty schools, her “gut” told her to opt for School A, but tuition was $4,000 higher than at School B. “Does it matter where I go, or will any school do the job?” Mel asked me.

I bet people ask themselves this question a lot, especially in this economy. Maybe you’re thinking along the same lines right now. If you have friends applying to four-year colleges, you know that their experience is quite different from yours. They probably are applying to many schools and waiting to see which ones accept them. Only at that point will they compare schools and consider the cost.

By choosing to enroll in cosmetology school, you do not have the worry of possibly not being accepted. That may change one day, and even now you may have to wait a semester if your chosen program is full. But you save on application fees right away, because you need apply only to your first-choice school. Schools charge different tuition fees based on factors like their reputation and demand for their program, their location and their expenses. If price is playing a role in your decision, check back next time and I’ll give you the same advice I gave Mel.

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Beauty School Grad Finds a Good Fit at ULTA Salon

Published: April 12, 2009
by Rosanne Ullman

About two months out of beauty school, Krissy Simmons found herself working at one salon while still pining for another. Unable to reach the ULTA Salon manager who had advised her to complete cosmetology school and get her li

cense before interviewing, Krissy started working somewhere else. But when the opportunity came to meet the ULTA manager at Panera for a lunchtime interview, Krissy grabbed it.

“We had a great conversation,” Krissy recalls. “I instantly felt the connection between us. She explained what she was looking for and asked the standard questions. I’ll never forget one of the questions: ‘What do you think is the most important part of a client consultation?’ My hair had been completely butchered in a very short clipper cut about three weeks earlier, so I just pointed to my hair! I told her that communication was the most important part, because my hair was in no way, shape or form supposed to look like that. I think it was a good point to make in getting hired.”

The manager invited Krissy to do a technical interview to demonstrate her skills. “I took a friend as my model and did an all-over color, highlight and haircut,” Krissy reports. “It was so stressful for me, just because I really, really wanted the job!” But, obviously I did a good enough job to get hired. It was a huge relief!” Why was Krissy’s heart set on working at ULTA? More on our beauty school grad next time!

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5 Ways to Scramble for Beauty School Tuition During a Recession

Published: April 10, 2009
by Rosanne Ullman

Last time I told you about a young woman who felt defeated because she couldn’t afford the tuition to attend cosmetology school. Encouraging her not to give up, I offered these ideas:

1. Meet with your prospective beauty school’s financial aid person, who will have ideas for you even if the school does not qualify for federal grants.
2. Try a bank. Getting a loan is not easy these days, but maybe you or your parents have a good credit history. (Beg!)
3. Think about EVERYONE you know. Let’s say you need $10,000. Maybe you know 10 people who could give or lend you $1,000, or 100 people who could give you $100. Print out “IOU One Year of Free Haircuts” for everyone who fronts you $300 or more.
4. Find somewhere to live for free or cheaply for a year so that you can work and save that money yourself. Or work your butt off at three jobs for six months.
5. Go for your nail tech certification first, which will cost less but still give you a ticket into the salon industry. Then when you’re hired to do mani/pedis at a salon, let the owner know that you would love to continue and get your full cosmetologist’s license. Maybe the owner can offer a small scholarship to you in exchange for a commitment to remain with that salon.

Don’t let money issues derail your dream. If you truly want to attend cosmetology school, you’ll find a way!

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