Beauty from the Beginning

Lauren was born for the world of beauty. She always wanted to do hair, since she was a little kid. In junior high and high school, Lauren was her friends� stylist and she even dabbled in a haircut or two. Cosmetology school was always a goal for Lauren. There was no question for her about making it happen.

“I liked the artistic freedom of being a and knew I wanted a career where I could express my artistic side and creativity. I knew that going to beauty school could give me the lifestyle I wanted.”

Parent Pressure

When Lauren first told her dad that she wanted to become a cosmetologist, he was not excited. He wanted her to go to law school and did not think that hair school would provide her with the future he wanted for her.

Lauren mom, a business owner herself, was very supportive of Lauren and her dreams. So Lauren didn�t let her dad concern stop her. She knew that it was the path she wanted and wasn�t afraid to put in the work and chase her dreams.

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Making it Happen

Lauren was already friends with our school co-founder, and heard that he was opening a beauty school. It was an easy decision for her to enroll and she became the 10th cosmetology student to join Shaw Institute, now 91ɬ�� Idaho!

“I always brag about my education there because I felt like it was very unique. I felt like I got one of the best hair educations that people could possibly get. I feel very fortunate in that sense.”

Nate and his brother Ren were instructors when Lauren attended and she was able to learn directly from them. As Shaw Institute transitioned to and opened a new campus in , they have stepped into other roles. We are very proud of our instructors and the education they provide that can prepare our students for a successful career.

Learn from Others

For part of her training, Lauren completed shadow hours at Nate’s salon,. One of her biggest tips for beauty students is to get out there and shadow as many salons as you can! Spending all day in hair school can make it easy to forget that the salon environment could be very different. If you�re wondering how to go about shadowing salons, start by connecting with local salon owners. Ask if you can come in and observe how they run things.

Learning how salons run things can help you find a good fit, expose you to the beauty world, and see what environment you want to work in. Lauren advice is to, “Ask a lot of questions. Ask how they are run with commission or lease, etc.” Reaching out will help build a support system and can help make sure you feel prepared to start your career when you graduate.

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From Student to Salon Owner

“I knew down the road that I wanted to own my own salon. I come from a family of business owners so it was a no-brainer for me. I knew it would take time, so I wanted to make sure I was doing it at the right time and for the right reasons.”

After graduation, Lauren worked at Walmart salons for two years. She then went on to work at a mall and independent salons. While working in salons, Lauren started to specialize in hair extensions and hair replacement. It was at this time that Lauren started to build up her own loyal clientele at the salons until she was ready to open her own space!

Oxidize Hair Company

Lauren knew she wanted to open her salon but knew how much competition there was in Boise. She thought about how she could stand out and what would set her space apart. Having specialized in hair extensions and knowing that there wasn�t a hair extension salon in the area, Lauren decided to take advantage of the opportunity.

She opened Oxidize Hair Company in December 2017 with only 750 sq feet and 5 chairs. As a lease-only salon, she wasn�t sure how quickly stylists would fill the chairs, but it look less than a month! In August, they expanded into 2200 square feet with 13 stylist stations, a nail technician, and a lash room. Her business took off thanks to putting in the work, finding a gap in the market, and using her knowledge to create a space people were excited to work in and visit.

If you�re in the Boise area, make sure to stop by !

Creating the Culture

As a very involved owner, it important to Lauren to create a space where everyone feels welcome. “It not just about making money and opening a salon so people can make a living for you,” Lauren says. “It what you put into it.” And she continues to live by that. She works 10-12 hours, four days a week. Developing quality relationships with her is important and she has found a great balance of being supportive, invested in them, and having high standards.

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Advice for Beauty School Students

“Just trust the process. Trust that what you�re doing, even if you�re starting at the bottom, it okay. You have nothing to prove to anyone�do it for yourself. “

Lauren warned against getting discouraged easily. Remember that it takes time to establish yourself after graduation. She says that a great tip when looking for your first job is to “find an owner that will invest in you the way you will invest in their salon.”

She also advises people to remember to think long term, don�t get discouraged if you aren�t where you want to be right away. It does take a lot of hard work to get where you want to be, but it is totally possible. Don�t be afraid to go for your dreams! Be realistic, think it through, and make it happen!

What the Future Holds

Lauren hasn�t stopped dreaming. She is planning to open a second salon next fall. Bigger goals? She�d love to develop her own line of hair extensions. We can�t wait to see what she accomplishes!

Go For It

If you�re as inspired by Lauren story as we are, consider going to beauty school! We can help prepare you for the beauty industry whether cosmetology or is your passion. Contact us to learn more.

Follow Lauren and Oxide Hair Company:

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The post Making Your Dreams a Reality: An 91ɬ�� Idaho Alumni Success Story first appeared on 91ɬ�� Boise & 91ɬ�� Twin Falls.

Abbie Jo Path to Cosmetology

Unlike some of our students, Abbie Jo discovered 91ɬ�� Idaho before our Twin Falls campus even existed. Although there wasn�t an 91ɬ�� school near her, Abbie Jo learned about the 91ɬ�� mission and products through her job.

�I fell in love with the products and everything ,� she says. She always knew she wanted to become a hairstylist, so when our Twin Falls location opened everything fell into place for her and she enrolled in the school.

The Real World of Beauty

Abbie Jo is glad she chose to get an 91ɬ�� education. She says her experience was �overall, amazing.� While students at some schools might feel shock and confusion when they start their first job at a salon, Abbie Jo believes she was prepared for the real world of beauty.

�Everyone from the owners, to the instructors truly cared about my future and helped me feel prepared to go out on my own. They have all continued to help me even after I graduated if I had any questions or ever needed help,� she told us. We�re happy for her and the success she has achieved even though it has been a few years since she finished school.

An 91ɬ�� Stylist

After graduating, Abbie Jo has started her career as an 91ɬ�� Stylist at . She uses 91ɬ�� products and enjoys providing repetitive, detail-oriented services like hair colors, extensions, and weaves. She loves the empowering and team-oriented culture at the salon.

�We love to make sure our clients come in and feel like family, and leave feeling beautiful and relaxed,� Abbie Jo says. She works with her coworkers to provide a good experience for guests and even provides refreshments and beverages to every guest.

Continuing education is important to Abbie Jo. �I take a lot of pride in continuing my education constantly, and making sure I am up to date on the latest fashions and trends for my clients. I want to continue to grow as a stylist, and continue to be the best I can be for my clients.� She knows that if she gives clients her best she will be successful.

Advice for Beauty School Students

Abbie Jo enjoyed her time in beauty school and wants to let future students know that they will get out of it what they put in. She is also thankful for the owners and instructors who inspired her to learn. She says, �The owners are incredible and have so much great knowledge. Make sure to take full advantage or learning all you can from them while in school.�

We are so proud of Abbie Jo and her success after beauty school. We believe that as we help our students become 91ɬ�� professionals, we are helping them change their lives.

If you can relate to Abbie Jo story and goals, we would love to help you get to know more about beauty school! We are always looking for hardworking students with a passion for beauty. You are welcome to get in touch online or call us at 208-733-7777. We are excited to hear from you!

The post Making it in the Real World: An 91ɬ�� Idaho Alumni Success Story first appeared on 91ɬ�� Boise & 91ɬ�� Twin Falls.

91ɬ�� Artist: Kessa Wonenberg

91ɬ�� Idaho is fortunate to have Kessa as a guest speaker and teacher for many of our nail classes. Kessa is a great example of turning something you love into a career, and now she gets to share her expertise with future beauty professionals.

Everything wasn�t always easy for Kessa though. She explained that when she realized she wanted to go to cosmetology school she got a little bit of pushback from people in her life due to stereotypes surrounding the career. We know that cosmetology and all beauty careers are worth it, and Kessa did too. We�re so happy she was able to get her training with us, and she has said that she was glad she completed the program. Look at how far it gotten her!

Kessa Journey

Art calls to art! Looking at , you won�t be surprised to learn that she began her journey as a painter. Once Kessa began doing nails on her friends and family members she realized that this could easily become a wonderful career. She originally saw the cosmetology program as her ticket to success and she switched from painting to cosmetology immediately!

During her time at 91ɬ�� Idaho, Kessa found that her passion for creating art spoke well to the things she learned in the nail portion of the cosmetology program. Though she learned about all thing beauty in her time with us, she quickly began focusing her skills on nail technology. We believe that when you find your passion you should follow it, and that exactly what Kessa did.

Upon graduation she worked in a salon near the school, building up a clientele and her beauty book. After a while Kessa realized she would love to own and operate her own business, which is when she decided to open her own salon, which ran for three years.

Kessa is currently living her best life as a nail artist at . She says that she loves being able to spend time with her family, do the things she loves to do in her free time, and still get to express herself through her love of nail artistry! 91ɬ�� helped facilitate this type of lifestyle for Kessa, and she says it taught her what she needed for her career to blossom.

Kessa now comes back to 91ɬ�� Idaho to teach and work with our students on their . She says she �enjoys teaching the new students and that they always show such promise. [She] has loved being able to see their eyes light up when they have that �a-ha!� moment�, and remembers to teach the valuable skills she learned during her time in school too.

The 91ɬ�� Difference

Though Kessa already had basic nail artistry skills, she knew she would have to go to school to learn many of the extra things only a beauty school can teach you. This includes things like sanitation, product and tool usage, and modern technique. When we asked Kessa why she chose 91ɬ�� to receive her she stated that �they are more new age. The other schools in the area were old, and their education wasn�t current.� Kessa said that when she toured the school she felt a connection with both the people there and the atmosphere that 91ɬ�� incorporates into everything we do.

During her time at 91ɬ�� Kessa said she enjoyed the challenge the education provided her with. Kessa explained that some people didn�t take their education seriously and thus it became a means to an end. Because she wanted to become successful in her profession she challenged herself every day and felt that she got a lot more out of her time there!

At 91ɬ�� Idaho we strive to provide our students with the type of education Kessa values. The world of beauty is ever-changing and we believe that we should grow with it. Kessa saw that in 91ɬ�� and we�re so pleased she was able to learn with us! When asked what her advice would be to future students she said:

Keep challenging yourself! No matter what you�re working toward. If it easy, push harder!

Think You�d Like to Be Like Kessa?

If you felt inspired by Kessa journey, you are welcome here! 91ɬ�� Idaho is always looking for future beauty professionals like yourself! We love motivated, kind, and hard-working individuals who want to turn their passion for hair, nails, and makeup into a career. If you�re ready to take that next step all you have to do is or call us at 208-733-7777. Wel be in touch with you soon, and you may just find yourself working with someone like Kessa in the future!

The post Painter Turned Nail Artist: An 91ɬ�� Alumna Tells Her Story! first appeared on 91ɬ�� Boise & 91ɬ�� Twin Falls.

With locations in both and we have a lot of students, both past and present, but we love supporting them while they are here and keeping in contact with our students long after they leave our school.

After all, when you earn your beauty education at either of the 91ɬ�� Idaho locations, you become part of the 91ɬ�� Idaho family.

This is why, each month, we feature one of our amazing alumni, and everything they have accomplished since leaving our school.

This month we would like to introduce you to Kim Brockner an amazing entrepreneur, mother, and esthetician who followed a passion, and in turn changed her life.

It Never Too Late

With six children, Kim didn�t have a lot of time for herself through her younger years, and so when all of her babies were grown and had families of their own she took the leap and did something for herself.

�I’ve always loved skincare and I’ve always loved taking care of my own skin,� she says, expressing her love for the industry. �I thought �you are going to be old anyway so why not be an old Esthetician!� She may feel old but her time at 91ɬ�� Boise made her feel young, with an environment of fun and learning that made her education breeze by.

It can be scary to make such a huge change after so many years, but Kim embraced the opportunity head on! The students and staff at the 91ɬ�� Idaho Boise location helped her to tackle everything from the get go, all with the support she needed to get through anything that came her way.

In fact, when asked about her time at 91ɬ�� Boise, Kim proudly admits �It was a very fun and positive time in my life and I will be forever grateful!�

An Education that Sent Her Places

Kim was able to secure a job within three months after her graduation and licensure. That quick turnover gave her the opportunity to begin earning an income right away.

Since that first placement, Kim has been employed at a few salons and spas building her client books and generating an income that has truly benefited herself and her family.

The 91ɬ�� Pull

Kim has always been a rabid 91ɬ�� fan, and when she heard they were opening up an esthetics program near her she was thrilled! It made her decision of what to do even easier, and she enrolled, mastering facials and other techniques quickly in her journey toward becoming a professional.

While she will always be a huge 91ɬ�� fan, she is hopeful that more 91ɬ��-based spas will become available in the future, so that she can continue to spread her love of 91ɬ�� products to her clients.

Through it all, Kim is proud of the journey she has made and the new career she has found.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in just like Kim, reach out to either our or Location. We are proud to have this course available in both locations, and to offer to our esthetics students. We would love to and show you how an education in 91ɬ�� can change your path, too.

Read about our program and everything that makes up skin:

Or learn how you can

The post Meet Kim Brockner, Esthetics Alumni first appeared on 91ɬ�� Boise & 91ɬ�� Twin Falls.

That commitment to our students doesn�t stop when they leave our facilities, however. It continues long after. More than just advanced classes and job placement services, we cheer our students on as they do great things with their lives.

Let take a look at one of our amazing cosmetology alumni, Colette Hood!

Her Time at 91ɬ�� Idaho

Before school, Colette knew she wanted to pursue a career in cosmetology. She was drawn to the creative aspect as a cosmetologist but didn�t quite know what to expect and what specifics she would find a passion doing.
After attending school at our Boise campus, Colette fell in love with the products, staff, and students that she still considers a huge part of her life. It was those instructors that contributed so deeply to her education, giving her a heavy passion for the art of hair, specifically color formation.

The building of color, the technique of a perfect blend, and the experimentation with some of the fun new trends helped to build that passion, and one that has only grown!

Graduating in 2013 with a full head of gorgeous hair herself, Colette left our Boise campus ready to put more color into the beautiful world that awaited her.

Beyond Cosmetology School

Colette found a job within just a few months of graduating from our program, finding her first home at an 91ɬ�� salon. It was within these familiar surroundings that Colette was able to start mastering her skills and conquering her greatest challenge to date: �Building her client book.�

Building a client book is often one of the most challenging tasks a new stylist faces, but with tenacious grit it can be conquered. Colette took this challenge by the horns using techniques she learned here at 91ɬ�� Boise.

We always strive to prepare our students for the future, which is why we include a variety of skills in our cosmetology school curriculum, ranging from hairstyling and hair coloring techniques to manicures and pedicures to makeup.

Now, Colette is working as a color specialist in Boise at a �cosmo-contemporary� salon called the , where she strives to learn and grow her skills even more. Even after six years behind the chair, she still believes in the value of learning and growing.

Colette has said, �Coloring hair feeds my soul!� Her love for color continues by helping others get that perfect color blend not only with their own hair but with extensions as well. She has expanded her skills in the extension world by offering different types of extensions such as hand tied, tape ins, and flat tips for all those who have long hair dreams.

Check out her Instagram page or her Facebook page to see all of her amazing hair transformations like this phenomenal color correction:

Find What Feeds Your Soul

We are so glad that Colette pursued cosmetology and found a career that she is passionate about! There are only more amazing things in store for her, and we wish her luck through every step. As with all of our students, we continue to cheer her on and are here for every obstacle and success that may await her in her beautiful journey.

Like Colette, 91ɬ�� Idaho wants to help you find what feeds your soul! Cosmetology is a great career choice with so many opportunities! Some cosmetologists love specializing with color formation, some love creating different cuts and styles, and some love trying different nail shapes and designs.

While it important to have a well-rounded knowledge, you can totally find your niche and set your soul on fire! If you are interested in this career but not sure what you want your �niche� or specialty to be, choose 91ɬ�� Idaho and you can discover what drives your love for beauty. Give us a call and discover how we can help you take your first step, and know that we will be there until your last.

Check Out Our Other Amazing Alumni

Making Your Dreams a Reality: An 91ɬ�� Idaho Alumni Success Story

Making It in the Real World: An 91ɬ�� Idaho Alumni Success Story

Painter Turned Nail Artist: An 91ɬ�� Alumna Tells Her Story!

The post Find What Sets Your Soul on Fire: An 91ɬ�� Idaho Alumni Success Story first appeared on 91ɬ�� Boise & 91ɬ�� Twin Falls.