The hope, the dream, and the vision behind Austin nonprofit, Hairapy. A mobile salon designed to provide therapeutic hair care services to those who have experienced physical, emotional, or mental health hardships.  A dream, 5 years in the making, coming soon to the streets of Austin. Founder, Amee’ra Fuller is turning her passion for others and her passion for hair into a reality. 

We had the opportunity to sit down with Amee’ra and can we just say, she is an absolute joy. The determination she has shown throughout this entire process, persevering through a pandemic to turn her dreams into a reality, is truly inspiring. We hope you enjoy her story as much as we do. 

Get to know Amee’ra

Amee’ra Fuller is a master social worker by day and a licensed cosmetologist by night. She is making a difference in the Austin Metro Area one life at a time. If you ask Amee’ra how she came up with this dream she can tell you about many situations that added to it. There wasn’t just one pivotal moment where she said, “this is what I want to do.” It was a gradual compilation of experiences she had working with the foster care system and her love for making others feel beautiful. 

How it all started for Amee’ra

In 2012 Amee’ra moved to Austin for college. While in college she worked for an after-school program where she mentored and supervised middle school students. I know, when you think of middle school you have flashbacks to blue eye shadow and the smell of ax body spray wafting through the hallways. Who would want to relive that on a daily basis? For Amee’ra this experience was eye-opening, she realized, unlike most people she LOVED middle school kids and everything that comes along with them. She found herself being the supportive older role model that these kids truly needed and helped them navigate the harsh realities of their lives. It was almost a culture shock for Amee’ra that kids this young were going through so much. This was the point where she knew she wanted to help the younger generation and make an impact on their young lives.

Amee’ra has a number of degrees. Including a bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Sciences, as well as a master’s in social work. If that wasn’t enough, she decided to go back to their first dream! Hair. She knew that she wanted more, she needed more.

 She looks back on one of her most memorable stories of working in the foster care system. They would take the girls from a group home once a month to get hygiene products.One of  her toughest girls, came to her one day and wanted to get products that were specific to her hair. So they went to the store, picked out HER products and soon you saw a new girl. She had gained the confidence that she was missing and with that, her demeanor and attitude started to change. It was amazing to see the confidence grow and the kind heart that was scarred by so much trauma change. 

It was not an easy road for Amee’ra

Amee’ra went into this not knowing anything about starting her own business – let alone a nonprofit – but she didn’t let that stop her. She decided to take it one step at a time. It all started with a simple Facebook post. Her post read, “Does anyone know what you need to start a nonprofit?”. vague, out there, and ready for the entire world to see. To her surprise, she got a comment, 

“I’ll help you, as long as you promise to go through with it.” was the response she got and so what later became Hairapy Moblie Salon started to grow. What was a long and tedious process with a lot of help along the way, is now finally coming to life. Her dream is becoming a reality. Amee’ra is hosting a ribbon-cutting on June 27th, where she will reveal her brand new mobile trailer with games, activities, and giveaways. We hope you join her, if not in person than with well wishes, as she launches this inspiring nonprofit. It just goes to show, you never know where your social media posts will get you!

Give her a follow and keep an eye out for her trailer around Austin!

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Living to serve and empower others one stylist at a time, Alumni Stacy Brown is working tirelessly to share her experiences with freshly graduated stylists. She knew from a young age that this was going to be her career. From braiding her classmates’ hair in elementary school to giving her friends ravishing haircuts at a young age, she was destined to be a cosmetologist. She has a passion for people and the industry. With so much experience and advice to share she is ready to see what this next season of life brings. We had the opportunity to visit her salon and sit down to see what’s on the hot seat in her life right now. 

About life after the Academy

Do what you love, love what you do. That is our motto here at the 51łÔąĎ

Stacy Brown is an 51łÔąĎ Alumni and man is she killing it in this industry. Since Stacy was a student here she has accomplished so much. She started off working in a commission-based education salon. This is where she was really able to jump in with two feet and build a clientele. This is also where she found her love for teaching and mentoring young stylists like herself. 

After spending some time there she decided it was time to venture out on her own, she owned her very own salon for 7 years but when Covid-19 hit, she decided it was time to step back and rethink what exactly she wanted to do with her career. Where some people might just give up, Stacey persevered. She had a lot of blessings in the past 15 years, she didn’t just grow her business, she had the opportunity to grow herself into the person she always wanted to be. 

Her Involvement with the Academy

We have the privilege of Stacy gracing our campus from time to time. She comes in to guest educate once a quarter and teaches about finance and business skills. We love the energy that she brings to the floor and the students are always excited to see her!

How it all Started

If you ask Stacy she will tell you that she has wanted to be a cosmetologist for as long as she can remember. When she was a little girl, her mother taught her all sorts of braiding techniques but her favorite memory was french braiding her barbie’s hair with her mom. Stacy said instead of chasing boys on the playground she was braiding all of her friends’ hair. 

As she grew older she didn’t go into cosmetology right away, she spent time working in a bank to save money, but she didn’t mind, it was a job and she was grateful. But when she started imagining her customers with different haircuts, color, or bangs she realized it was time to take the leap of faith and pursue the career she always knew she was destined for. If

you ask her today, she will say it is the BEST thing she has done for herself on a professional level. She says that the Academy was her top choice because of the emphasis they put on education and that we did not disappoint. She learned so much during her time here.

If you asked Stacey what she would tell the next generation of stylists she would say this:

“Don’t wait, and let life pass you by. There is never going to be a good time or a better time.”

So if you are looking for an overall amazing stylist, Stacy is your girl! She specializes in amazing hair color, working around challenging cowlicks, and so much more! You’ll come out of your appointment with great hair and an amazing client experience. We are amazed by the things Stacey is accomplishing with her career and could not be more proud to call her an alumni!

Check out her salon out on Facebook: Stacy Brown, Stylist at Karizma Salon, or on Instagram @stacyatkarizma.

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 At the 51łÔąĎ, we want to celebrate the amazing students who enter our doors. We have some of the best talent and every day we are truly amazed by their stories. You see, we have students from all sorts of backgrounds looking for their next right step, whether this is their first career choice or their fifth. Our goal is to be a place where they can thrive and provide the tools they need to be successful in the beauty and barbering industry. We had a chance to sit down with Alumni and Boss Babe Ashlee Holley to talk about why she chose cosmetology and what she has been up to since graduating from the Academy.  

A little bit about Ashlee

When you talk about taking a leap of faith, Ashlee’s story comes to mind. Cosmetology was not Ashlee’s first career choice. Ashlee spent nine years in the public school system teaching special education to students in the Austin area. With a master’s degree in education and an established career, she decided that although she loved the students, something was missing. She wanted a change and an outlet to express her creativity. This change was a scary one but it made sense for her and her family!

“The timing seemed right for me and I had family support, so I went for it.”- Ashlee Holley

According to Ashlee, having this educational background has been a big factor in propelling her career. Having that level of communication training has allowed her supervisors to have confidence in her from the beginning.

Ashlee’s time at the Academy

As far as school goes, starting was nothing new for Ashlee. She had been in school since she was five years old. Whether as a student or a teacher. School has been something that has always been a part of her life. The 51łÔąĎ was just another step in furthering her education.

Her favorite activity that she participated in during her time at the Academy was the blowdry Bootcamp. When she started her apprenticeship it was extremely beneficial. The fundamentals are so important for your success in the industry. At the Academy, Ashlee thrived in color and realized that this is what the entire change was for. She said at first starting school as a nontraditional student was different, but by the end of the program, she made friends that she’s still in contact with today!

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David and Christie wanted to continue the work of the 51łÔąĎ even as Jerry planned his retirement in 2009. However, they had been living in Austin, Texas for almost a decade. They needed to hire someone locally to run the operations of the Academy. They hired Linda Daugherty as superintendent. Linda, having expertise in leadership, business, and education, was uniquely qualified for the position and quickly became invaluable. She created an opportunity for David and Christie to dream big and refine the mission and vision of the Academy without being occupied by the day-to-day responsibilities. 

Being a service-oriented company has always been important to the Academy team. In 2012, after years of prayer and preparation, Christie and David opened the Dream Beauty Academy in Kigali Rwanda. Since opening, the Kigali beauty school has become a ministry of its own. It’s a place of hope for Rwandan students, many of whom have experienced horrific pain and loss after the Rwandan genocide in 1994. As of 2021 150 women have graduated from the Dream Beauty Academy. The school in Rwanda created a lot of unique opportunities for students to travel and gain a new perspective on what it means to serve and be served. This was a concept that the Academy brought back to the states. In the spirit of service, the Academy has partnered with the Dream Center in Springfield, and opened a barbershop at Community First Village in Austin. 

Throughout the history of the 51łÔąĎ, Christie and David saw the culture of the Academy developed over time as they added key staff to their team. People like Susan Snook, a former student and cosmetologist who now works as campus director, and Le’Detrick Leonard, a barber from Dallas and certified life coach who had a heart for mentoring young people, have impacted the school in many positive ways. After 25 years, Christie and David have dreamed of creating a leadership pipeline and a workplace environment that encourages people to show initiative in hopes that they can be a part of the company’s long term future. There is no greater example of this than Linda Daughtery, who was welcomed into the ownership group in December of 2020. 

The business world often changes and requires entrepreneurs to adapt quickly and often. Despite the pandemic, the 51łÔąĎ won the Springfield Small Business of the Year Award in 2020. It was a high honor, and tangible evidence of years of hard work. But the team knows that the work they are in has a way of humbling people. They know there is work that needs to be done and improvements to be made. They’ve seen countless lives be transformed firsthand. That transformation is what motivates everyone in the company, from the owners to the interns, to grow and continually improve. And ultimately, that’s the mark of a great school.

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Tiktok’s Vintage Obsession

As we’ve come to expect from gen Z, young people are bringing a style and aesthetic thought dead back into the mainstream. Rather than reinventing the wheel, gen Z tend to pull on styles of the past and bring attention to the fact that “older” isn’t the same as “worse”. Tiktok, everyone’s newest obsession, is absolutely flooded with tutorials on how the everyday person can capture the effortless charm of the 70s. One such , made by user @70srose, has gained over 2 million likes since she shared it last December.

The video shows in a series of simple steps how @70srose styles and maintains her hair. The video highlights the quirky simplicity of the aesthetic, as well as how accessible it can be. @70srose has found a niche for herself, dedicating her account to her love of this era. She seems to have found an appreciative audience among her 348 thousand followers. She is far from the only one to have found an audience for this kind of content. Searching “70s hair” on the platform will yield countless videos. Each video has thousands of views, and shows in a minute or less how to achieve a Farrah Fawcett fantasy.

The simplicity of these videos and of this hairstyle speaks for itself. The style is highly flattering to a variety of face shapes and hair types. Compared to many modern methods, 70s hair is relatively uncomplicated and easily attainable. Most tutorials utilize little more than a heat tool (usually a straightener), a brush, and hairspray. Some make it even simpler, like user @emilyriboflavin. She how to achieve a hippy-inspired hairstyle using only a brush, water, and a scarf.

The Appeal of the 70s Style

The look is distinctive in a way you would never expect from a such a simple style. Many methods take advantage of the natural properties of human hair, working smarter rather than harder. Additional volume is often created by curling the hair in the opposite direction of where it naturally wants to lay. This causes the follicles to force the hair up, creating . Methods like that demonstrated by @emilyriboflavin have you wrap your wet hair in a cloth and let it dry overnight (a method also known as “hair plopping”) rather than using a curling iron . The simplicity isn’t a coincidence, it’s a feature.

Hair styles such as this hit several demographics that usually are hard to appeal to all at once. It’s perfect for working people, or students, or anyone who needs to get ready in a limited amount of time. It’s perfect for the free spirited hippy in every crowd, the one who wants to stand out and be memorable. It’s perfect for the classic stylist, someone who admires the aesthetics of the past. It’s for someone who may not know a lot about hair and wants something they can pick up easily and run with.

Finally, and most importantly, this style is for anyone who thinks it looks beautiful. So break out the hair rollers and the hairspray and embrace big, beautiful, 70s curls.

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Get to Know Dante and Steven “Brock” Bracamontez!

We had the privilege of interviewing the dynamic barbering duo Dante and Steven “Brock” Bracamontez. These two are not only brothers but are both Alumni of BeVelle Barber school. In the world of barbering, these brothers are making a name for themselves while sticking to their roots and carrying out the family business.

We had the chance to sit down with Dante and Brock to hear about their experience with graduating and building a business in the barber industry during the Covid-19 pandemic. Covid-19 created unique challenges, but through their creativity and resilience, they were able to overcome those challenges.

Where The Brother’s Love For Barbering Started:

It’s no surprise that Dante and Brock chose the career of barbering. Dante and Brock grew up watching their mother build her business in the Cosmetology industry from the ground up with the support of their father. The salon was like a second home for Dante and Brock. They knew barbing would somehow be part of their destiny. Little did they know, over two decades later, they would be working alongside their mother and sister in an edgy-on-trend salon in Georgetown, TX.

The first brother to attend BeVelle Barber school was the younger wildly talented artist Dante. Dante’s success in the program led Brock to become interested in the school. Brock, an extremely talented musician, soon followed behind his younger brother in his commitment to the program. Their creative minds led them to thrive in their studies and the salon floor.

Their achievement in school continued and their dream of barbering success was in grasp until the pandemic hit. Like many people, everything seemed to stop and no one knew for how long. This was an especially difficult time for Brock who was expecting to be a BeVelle Barber graduate like his brother Dante when the pandemic took ahold of the nation. It was a challenge for Brock to navigate this unexpected roadblock and like most when COVID-19 hit, he was nervous. However, he graduated with flying colors and can say he overcame COVID-19 and was one step closer to making his dreams come true!

Life Since COVID-19 hit:

For many of us the year 2020 was not the year we thought it would be. These brothers did not let it stop them from following the dream that they have always had. For Brock, COVID-19 hit at a very inconvenient time. He was just shy of the 40-hour mark until graduation when Austin was shutdown. Dante faced his own challenges when Austin was shut down, he just started to establish a clientele and make his mark in the Austin Barber industry.

Although the shutdown was not ideal, it gave the brothers time to sit down and think about what they wanted for their shop. It allowed Dante and Brock time to build their shop from the ground up in the back of their family salon. It was a time of reflection and deciding exactly how they wanted to brand their name. In a way, COVID-19 helped form the shop they have today.

“It gave us life skills that we may not have had otherwise. Sometimes life deals you a bad hand, how are you going to turn it into a flush?”- Brock

What it’s like working with their family:

Working with my brother is a wild experience in itself, but it has also been easy. There is a 10 year age difference between the brothers, but speaking with Brock, he said it doesn’t feel that way. He says that since they were young, Dante had a maturity that makes you forget the age difference. Working with the Bracamontez family is a very nourishing business environment and has endless growth potential.

“Being able to start a business with my brother is extraordinary in itself.”- Brock, Elder Brother

Four total family members work at the salon, Their mom, the founder, and the owner. Their sister, a cosmetologist- co-owner, has been cutting hair since 2008. Dante and Brock adding to the family business.

The brothers still play an active role with the BeVelle Barber School. They are scheduled to speak to our students and we are thrilled to see what they are up to now!

The sky is only the start for these two and we are so excited to be apart of their Journey. For more information on their Shop visit the social media links below!

Facebook: NewImagesHairSalonGeorgetown

Instagram: @newimageshairsalon

Watch their Facebook and Instagram for new merch coming soon! Get out there and help support your small business.

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Alumni Dustin Jones graduated from the 51łÔąĎ in 2019. To say life has been a whirlwind is an understatement. The threat of a global pandemic shutting down the country just as you are jumping into the world of barbering is never something you expect. Did he fold and let this stop him? No way, it just fueled his drive to be the best barber he could be.

We sat down with Dustin to learn how he is taking sour lemons and making lemonade.

How Dustin Decided he wanted to be a Barber:

Dustin always knew he wanted to be a barber, but that wasn’t his original career choice. Before deciding to make a life change and pursue barbering, he spent nine years as a correctional officer. Realizing this path didn’t bring him joy, he left. He went to a job where he could let loose a little with his appearance and express his style the way he wanted. This was an eye-opening experience and gave him insight into his next career choice. We asked Jones what the tipping point for starting a career in barbering. He said he was in the chair it hit him, in a gut-wrenching feeling, that he was not happy with where he was and needed a change.

“It took me 35 years to realize that barbering was something I wanted to do,

and I wish I would have gone for it right out of high school”. Says Jones.

Dustin’s Experience at the Academy!

When Jones was asked about his experience at the Academy, he was excited to share with us what he has learned. “The academy was good for me,” said Jones. He had great instructors that helped him and taught him the fundamentals that he needed to succeed later in his career. He said he was super grateful for the time and training he received and knew it would allow him to go far.

One of the points that Dustin kept going over that in the barbering industry, you cannot stop growing. Whether you are practicing a new technique, watching a youtube video, or going to a training session, it is your job to keep up with what your clients want. If you aren’t learning, you aren’t growing and if you aren’t growing you become stagnant.

When deciding on the right school, the Academy’s location played a big part in his decision. Once Dustin toured he said that the admissions really sold it. He knew the academy would be the right fit and we were so glad he chose us.

A Day in the Shop with Dustin.

Dustin holds his work to a very high standard. He knows what he provides to his clients and does it with a smile. When Dustin graduated from our program he went to a local barbershop named Dapper. He loved the old-time feel and the true barber experience, however, due to the pandemic and living further away he had to make some economic decisions and find a shop closer to home in Rolla.

Dustin’s goal was to bring the Dapper vibe to Rolla, a town full of college students, and whatever haircut Instagram deems the best at that moment. Dustin knows he is worth the time when it comes to barbering. In his shop, he wants his client to know that he would rather provide quality haircuts over quantity. When you walk into his shop it is all about the experience. An old school, classic barber type of vibe. Allowing the time to listen to what his clients have to say, they are his sole focus from the time they sit in the chair to the time they walk out the door.

Since starting his journey in barbering, Dustin has more time to do what he wants. He loves the fact that he creates his schedule and can take more time to spend with his son. During school, Dustin missed a lot of baseball games because he worked full time and was in school full time. Now he wouldn’t miss them for anything. He has a flexibility that allows him to live the life he wants.

If Dustin could give any advice, to someone who is thinking about a career in barbering, he would tell them “If you’ve dreamt it, do it. You’ll regret it if you don’t.” It’s never too late to start over and try again.

After speaking with Dustin, everyone could take a page out of his book.

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Let’s talk about Kat Blair! Kat graduated from the Academy’s cosmetology program just over a year ago. With all the amazing things she has accomplished, it’s hard to believe it’s only been a year!

Right after graduation, Kat moved from Springfield, MO to Houston, TX. Talk about a life change. Here, she could focus on the service she is most passionate about, braiding! Kat’s salon environment changed with this move. She went from taking clients in our student salon and braiding the hair of friends and family to working in a 7-chair salon with 4 other talented stylists in Houston. Over the last year, Kat has created quite a name for herself, she even had the opportunity to do braids for two major Olympians:  Simone Biles and Carmelita Jeter! How cool is that?

You can say the beauty industry is in Kat’s blood. Her father was a hairstylist and salon owner, which means Kat and her sisters grew up in and around the business. They got to watch their father open up multiple salons, he even named one “Kathryn’s Nail Salon” after Kat. Being in this environment and practicing on each other pointed Kat and her sisters to careers in the beauty industry. While she knew she loved hair, Kat wrestled with the idea of going to cosmetology school. Her passion was in braiding and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to learn the other skills that go into a cosmetology license such as cutting or chemical services.

Another obstacle Kat faced was the financial piece. Having already obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, she was not eligible for any grant money. Kat made the difficult decision to enroll in cosmetology school, relying on student loans to pay tuition. However, Kat didn’t choose the 51łÔąĎ at the time. Her heart just wasn’t in it. Kat had trouble staying motivated and skipped many of her classes. She eventually ended up quitting the cosmetology program.

About a year later, Kat was ready to pursue her passion and jump back into school. She knew that a fresh start was exactly what she needed. This time Kat enrolled in the Academy’s cosmetology program. Things were different this time for many reasons. She was at a different school, had a more motivated mindset, and a much better financial situation. Since braiding doesn’t require a cosmetology license, Kat started a braiding service that put her through cosmetology school. She was so successful that she actually graduated debt-free!

The Academy’s cosmetology program prepared Kat for her successful future.

Guest speakers and educators offered different perspectives and ways of doing things. The Academy invites many guest educators from local salons as well as Redken Educators to give our students a wealth of knowledge. This experience provided Kat with a vast array of knowledge when it comes to real-world experience. Kat also had the opportunity to go through real-world situations and figure out the best route of problem-solving for her. The resources she was provided at the Academy gave her options that she wouldn’t have had the experience with if she had decided against Cosmetology school.

Learning and practicing new techniques from the educators help lay the foundation for a lot of the styling that I do today!

Kat also loved that she got to choose the schedule that worked best for her. She had tried a program before the Academy and it wasn’t conducive to her schedule. With our flexible scheduling, she was able to really customize her time and prepare herself for setting her own schedule when working in her salon. When Kat first decided she wanted to make a career change she struggled with the idea of going back to school. With the experience that she had in braiding, Kat went back and forth with the thought of doing something different. Kat decided to take the chance and if you ask her today what her favorite service is to perform, she will easily say color.

Kat’s plans for her future and her career In Cosmetology

Kat’s ultimate goal for her future Is to open her own salon, ideally In her hometown. She wants to run her own business in underrepresented areas, with a salon that focuses on curly, kinky, and textured hair. Her passion for the beauty industry and her community is inspiring! She is a perfect example of where hard work can take you! We love seeing Kat follow her dreams and cannot wait to see what she does in the future!

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You might be wondering, “What’s the difference between an esthetician and an aesthetician?” Both are trained to analyze and cleanse skin through a variety of techniques, however, estheticians can be found in spas and salons, while aestheticians typically work in medical settings.

Before she attended AOHD, Whitney’s life was a bit chaotic.

She just completed a significant research project to graduate college. Then, Whitney got married and moved into a new home all within 24 hours! A degree in Sports Medicine and Athletic Training was a perfect complement to her football coach husband. Faced with the prospect of both her and her husband working long, unpredictable hours, Whitney began to search for a career where she had more control over her own hours. Since both were planning on a family in the future, Whitney knew she needed a career where she was in charge. She also knew that she wanted to pursue her passion for aesthetics in a clinical setting. Whitney loved that she could combine her love of medicine with her love of aesthetics to make a career that could comfortably support her family.

Whitney chose the Academy because of the wide variety of scheduling options available. She decided full-time would be the best option so that she could graduate as soon as possible. Whitney did not tour any other schools when deciding where to attend. After her tour, she knew the Academy would be a good fit for her!

Whitney came into our school with a unique background. Already having graduated from a sports medicine program, she had a solid knowledge base when it came to anatomy and physiology. What she lacked, was the hands-on experience and spa services an esthetician usually performs.

The Academy’s esthetics program gave Whitney that hands-on experience with skills like facials, waxing, massage, and skincare.

If Whitney could go back in time to before she started school, she would remind herself to use every opportunity available to work on her classmates and think outside the box. “Your classmates are the ones you can try new things on and experiment with.”

During her time with Academy, Whitney had a few obstacles to overcome. Her grandfather passed away and Whitney needed time to grieve, but she also didn’t want to put off her graduation. An Academy educator saw Whitney’s pain and took the time to talk with her and provide words of encouragement and empathy. The impact her educator had was incredible. Whitney chose to pick up and continue moving forward in order to graduate on time!

“Don’t let the fear of failure keep you from trying something new. You must fail in order to succeed.”

Today, Whitney is making her clients look and feel beautiful while supporting her family. When asked about her “signature service” Whitney detailed her Hydrafacial with dermaplaning and a Casmara mask (ugh we need!) She loves to perform this facial because she gets to see an immediate difference in her client’s glowing skin. She finds this particular service therapeutic to perform because of its relaxing nature. Whitney can easily get lost in the rhythm of the treatment. Any service where she can see a dramatic transformation in her patient’s skin, Whitney loves! Another service Whitney enjoys is a Vbeam Perfecta. You’re probably wondering what on earth that means, and so were we! This is a laser that targets vascular lesions by providing nearly immediate gratification in reducing redness and broken blood vessels on the face.

When Whitney looks to the future, she sees the CoxHealth Med Spa. She loves her career and aspires to grow within her company possibly into business development, education, or an account executive for a medical-grade skincare line. Whitney follows trends and the social media of reputable companies, as well as attending educational seminars. She recently even taught a class to our own esthetics students! We know one thing for sure, Whitney is sure to succeed in anything she puts her mind to!

Are you interested in pursuing a career in medical aesthetics? Thankfully, Whitney’s here to tell us how she was able to enter the field.

“I had a friend that was working as an aesthetician for a local plastic surgeon and their office was looking for a medical secretary. With the advice of an acquaintance also in the industry, I accepted the position to gain experience, get my foot in the door, and decide if this was the right fit for me.” Once in her position, the product and device representatives gave Whitney the extra training she needed. One misconception she wants to disprove is the idea that you need to attend schools like the National Laser Institute or pay for additional certifications in order to work in this field.

Whitney has 4 C’s she uses to describe how someone could find employment into medical aesthetics:

°ä´Ç˛Ô˛Ô±đł¦łŮľ±´Ç˛Ô˛ő:ĚýWho you know is so crucial because this is an industry where there is very little turnover. If you don’t have the connections, make them! Call anyone you want to be a mentor and ask for opportunities to shadow them. This will get you far in the field!

Comprehension: This isn’t a career for everyone. It requires critical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to understand the skin on a cellular level. With comprehension comes confidence. You must be confident in your knowledge to be successful in medical aesthetics and it must be backed with validity! Patients expect this so I encourage you to study hard and often, always! You’re never done learning!

Commitment: If you want it badly enough, you’ve got to work for it. People who are the best in their field didn’t get there by chance, they worked hard for it! I’m a firm believer that there is always something to do! There should be a healthy level of competition amongst co-workers to constantly push and encourage each other to the next level. Don’t mistake this advice for feeling the need to step on others to get to the top. That may work for a bit, but it will eventually catch up with you and have the opposite effect of your goal.

Character: Professionalism, honesty, and a team mentality are at the top of the list in this category!

Are you an Academy Legends Alumni? Contact bethany@aohd.com to be featured!

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Savannah graduated in July of 2018, and since then she has created quite a name for herself at Inviktus Salon. To prepare for her future, Savannah secured a job with Inviktus as a part-time receptionist before she graduated. This gave her the opportunity to get to know her coworkers and learn the ins and outs of her future salon home. Working in a salon even before graduation gave Savannah some incredible experience.

After graduation, Savannah received a position as a stylist at Inviktus. It didn’t take her long to move up the ranks and meet goal after goal set by the salon. Savannah says it best, “My life really did change once I became a cosmetologist. I was fulfilling a life-long dream of mine by going into the beauty industry.”

After just two years in the industry, Savannah has accomplished many things both in her personal and professional life. Before becoming a cosmetologist, Savannah always had to work two jobs in order to make a living. Now, with just her position at Inviktus, Savannah has been able to buy her first home, purchase a vehicle, and enjoy a stable career with the possibility of unlimited growth.

“A lot of people don’t think we will make it in this industry, but with hard work and goal setting you will!”

Before she started with the Academy, Savannah wasn’t sure what her future held. In this phase of her life, she had many options when it came to picking her career. While she knew from a young age that she loved hair and makeup and wanted to make people feel beautiful, Savannah also had an interest in the medical field. That’s why she chose to attend OTC where she earned an Associate of Arts with an emphasis in Biological Clinic Science. This was such a great accomplishment for Savannah, but she found herself wanting more out of her career. That’s when she decided to really go for it and pursue a career she was passionate about.

“I would watch YouTube videos about hair and makeup and take notes on what they were doing as a teenager.”

Savannah chose to attend the 51łÔąĎ’s cosmetology program to help her achieve her dreams. Choosing a school is a huge decision and Savannah knew that. That’s why she toured all of the local cosmetology schools before deciding which school would be the best fit for her. “Not everyone will fit into the same school, so it is a good idea to see which environment you prefer,” says Savannah.

She chose the Academy because she loved the welcoming and friendly students and staff. The wide variety of education taught in the cosmetology program also influenced her decision. Students don’t just learn hair, they have the opportunity to learn skincare, eyelash extensions, waxing, and nail services. Another reason Savannah chose the Academy was our yearly Fashion Show. She loved the idea of getting to let her creativity soar and explore her artsy side. This event is also an incredible opportunity for students to network with local stylists, barbers, and our legendary alumni.

“I chose to attend The Academy because I loved the family-like atmosphere!”

The Academy’s Business Realities program was instrumental to Savannah’s successful career. This program prepares our students to work in a real-world salon. Hands-on training such as learning to mix color and taking clients in our student salon gave her the technical experience she needed. Classes from national Redken educators, learning to sell retail, and working the front desk gave Savannah a leg up over stylists at her level.

If she could go back in time to before she started, Savannah would tell herself to really have fun in school and soak up all the education and opportunities you can! During her time at Academy, Savannah had to balance school, working multiple jobs, her family, a social life, and taking care of herself. Time management became even more important than before. While it isn’t easy to balance, achieving a goal you’ve worked so hard for makes everything worth it.

Today, Savannah is thriving in her salon home. She loves giving her clients Bob Haircuts and blonding services. Savannah considers herself a bit of a blonde expert which you can clearly see from her incredible work! Savannah is always investing in continued education and growing in her industry. She knows the importance of staying educated and up to date on trends. When she looks to her future, Savannah sees nothing but possibility. She would love to share what she’s learned one day through education. There is nothing greater than inspiring young professionals to follow their dreams and do something they love.

“What you put into your career is what you will get out of it.”

Anyone who is interested in a career in the beauty and barbering industry should job shadow and talk to different professionals in the field. “It is truly a fun and rewarding career to be a part of because you get the chance to make people feel beautiful and to be creative,” Savannah says. However, you also have to know that it is hard work and success won’t come easy! You do have to work for it and have that passion. Savannah toured academy 3 times, talked to several stylists, and watched tons of YouTube videos before she decided on this path. We are so proud to call Savannah one of our alumni Academy Legends!

If you want to book an appointment with Savannah at Inviktus, give them a call at 417.732.2700 or visit their  to book online. You can also check out Savannah’s work on Instagram @savvy_invktus and Facebook at Savvy Styles.

If you are an 51łÔąĎ alumni and would like to be featured in our Academy Legends series, send an email to Bethany@aohd.com.

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