What I Learned in Beauty School: Hair Stylist

Lia graduated from high school and attended community college for a little over a year before deciding to enroll in beauty school at Paul Mitchell The School. "I was a client at Bo-tique salon, and the owner really encouraged me to go to beauty school, graduate, and work for her at the salon," says Lia. "I've always been interested in fashion, so I thought it seemed like a good idea." Lia began hair training soon after and graduated six years ago. She worked as an apprentice at Bo-tique, where she is now a full-fledged hair stylist.

What was the most helpful or useful thing you learned in beauty school?

I learned to just go for it. If hair design and being a hair stylist is your passion, just go for it. I really enjoy what I do.

How would you describe your beauty school experience?

I loved the hair academy. One of the best experiences I had as a student was getting to go to A Signature Gathering. (A Signature Gathering is an annual hair training event in Las Vegas featuring industry icons, hands-on classes, creative shows, and parties.)

The students at the school sold bags of hair products to raise money, and the students with the top sales got to go to the hair show. It was the most fun trip.

What was a challenging lesson? How are you at performing that task now?

It was really helpful to learn about how to sell retail products to clients. Now I know how to put the product in front of them and let them touch it, hold it, and smell it. I learned to bring it up to the station so they could see it when they are paying for the service. The more you show it to the customer, the more it will stick in their brain. That turns into retail sales.

In addition to teaching students how to sell retail to increase their income, Lia's hair academy offered a course program in professional development, which prepares students for success in the salon business and provides successful hair career strategies.