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Beauty and The Government

Writer's picture: Beth MinardiBeth Minardi

Currently, beauty school owners are extremely concerned about changes in how

the US Government may no longer fund beauty education. This issue is an important

one, and I am sympathetic to both sides of this argument. Our industry a new infusion

of talent: Passionate, skilled, educated people must enter our field and do what is required

to be successful.


Federal funding has provided young people with the opportunity to learn skills, enabling them

to enter the salon business as licensed professionals. This creates earners who might

contribute successfully to our nation's financial health, and to their own bright futures.

Education costs money -- and costs MUCH more than it did even ten years ago. Many

beauty schools employ dedicated, knowledgeable instructors who work to prepare

new professionals for success. I have learned that some states no longer require a

"hands on" technical portion as part of their cosmetology state board examination.


And, other things are at play here. I believe that we currently address a different

type of "newbie" than we did in the past. The landscape has changed from the way

young people perceive the definition of "success". Today's youth is interested in their life both

in and out of "work". Expecting them to work at the minimum wage, washing towels,

sweeping floors, staying "late'.. and not participating kthere, at the chair with the

salon's senior staff members, doesn't work. They must sense that they are learning

and are advancing in their vocation. Our generation was taught to "work hard", "do

what it takes to succeed", and to not expect massive praise for everything we did

well. The situation today is often fraught with tension and with misunderstanding. People

need to see light at the end of the tunnel, and to be told about the support they will

receive so that they will ADVANCE. and become a senior assistant, and, later, a full-fledged,

"on the floor" senior hair dresser. Without that information, they see nothing bright

ahead....... and leave. Beauty school represents the beginning of learning rather than

the end. Continuing, best quality "post graduate" education is what can make the

difference. And, must of that education can take place right there in the salon where

they work.


In my limited exposure, I do speak with new graduates. Some have not "worked" on

live "human models" at school! Mannequins serve as their "clients". .. Mannequins have no opinions. Mannequins do not complain, nor do they expect human interaction. They

immobile, are never late.. They don't need a COMFORTABLE, CARING well-executed

service. Instructors today, have the option to sometimes leave the class room and

direct students to watch a hair demonstration "video".... a video which might be less

than helpful to a beauty school student. A percentage of students leave school unprepared to successfully provide even a basic salon services, let alone a great haircut, blow out,

roller or hot set, color application smoothing treatment or highlighting. The "science" of what we do is important, and must be understood and followed both for safety and for success.

This seems not frequently remembered as being an important part of a new professional's salon world.


I will go out on a limb here. I DO understand that, in the past, not every salon owner might

have properly mentored new graduates. I saw several salon owners employing assistants chiefly as housekeepers; not committed to sharing, teaching or building the skills of young professionals. Many times, assistant would quit; searching for better opportunity; a place where they might GROW.,


GROWING talent from within takes time and does not always work. But grooming

assistants to become "senior" colorists or hairdressers continues to be important: yet

with the growing popularity of salon suites, many new hairdressers feel that it is best

to rent a suite and go it "alone". I think this is often very difficult for them. Playing "in the

tall weeds" requires, knowledge, experience, patience, humility (at times), and great

communication skills. What we do is both mental and PHYSICAL. What we do IS

"Hard Work". The government sees the unacceptable attrition rate. Unndocumented

income levels are also an issue. Our government notes that far too many beauty school

graduates "fail to deliver", and leave our profession after three years.. or less. Too

often, they leave IN DEBT. School and opening a salon are expensive. So, "doing hair"

at home for cash, or working at another trade or at a restaurant are all seen as

better options. All this damages the future of the industry so many of us cherish. I hope

YOU WILL SUGGEST HOW WE CAN HELP. please comment here on our webpage


. Cecil@beautyschools.org contributed to an article in the recent BIR report. He explains

his concerns and viewpoint regarding beauty education and our government. Perhaps you

will read it. I hope WE might think of what we MUST DO to help. I hope you will join me.


I suggested a list of skills which I created .EVERYONE needs to execute skills properly before they strike out on their own, and can work at a level above "assistant". Do they

truly WANT to be a salon professional? Do they have the passion, the knowledge

and the commitment? -- Best to start at the beginning. assisting.. prior to going

into business for themselves. No suite owner wants tenants to leave, owing rent,

and leaving empty spaces in the property they own.


Information about my group classes, private tutoring and events.. everything here

at the top of our home page. See "Group Classes and Events". Click for information

and to register. B



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6 comentários


Convidado:
27 de jun. de 2023

Hello, my name is Ela andI am from Poland. Yes I agree, the students there in Poland have a great desire to make their dreams come true, but the problem is that they do not have strong foundations to make it happen. In Poland, a student learns hairdressing for 3 years with practices in private salons, when all theory takes place on regular classes at school. The school ends with an exam, where practical exam is a 70% of overall score. Also, I was a hairdressing teacher for about 25 years and I utilized my salon as a training center. I've been here United States for about 3 years only. During that time I have opened a hair salon t…

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Beth Minardi
Beth Minardi
27 de jun. de 2023
Respondendo a

Ela, Thank you for your note. .. My dad's grandparents came from Poland, many years ago! First, Congrats for opening a salon. You could visit a beauty school and ask for "new graduates" apply to work as your salon assistant. Offer minimum wage, PLUS the opportunity to GROW. Shampooing, conditioning, detangling clients, and watching you and staff members carefully care for clients. They will LEARN as they earn a bit. They can sweep the floor, greet clients, and drape clients for services. Even if they stay for only 3 -6 months, they will have left your salon KNOWING so much more.. And you will have had some help.. and done so much for our industry. I'm so h…

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BillBakerHair
BillBakerHair
24 de jun. de 2023

Unlike other professions, ie; Healthcare, the career projectiles of folks in our industry can be hard to track.

I think it is essential to have established professionals onboard as consultants/advisors to assist in properly implementing guidelines. We need to establish why an effective teaching establishment is crucial in creating a solid foundation for the cosmology student.

Yes, we will continue to life learn, but haphazard education and a “here and there” learning approach, particularly for the student is difficult to process.

We need to be aware that some schools simply instruct students on passing their individual state board with little regard to job readiness once they receive their license. Other educational facilities give their folks a strong skill set fo…

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Beth Minardi
Beth Minardi
27 de jun. de 2023
Respondendo a

Bill. I would be happy to volunteer my time... helping states re-write standards and, as we discussed, create a taxonomy of skills which all "new professionals" must possess prior to "going it on their own". The older model of getting out of school, passing the exam and then finding a salon where you can ASSIST... has almost completely gone out the window. I respect you so much, and than you for your friendship and for your comment here. B

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