Shayna Z. is a hair stylist to the rich and famous in Beverly Hills.

Elizabeth F. works at the Fantastic Sam’s in her home town.

Why are these women at opposite ends of the cosmetology career spectrum?

Jerry Tyler, a 30-year veteran of the cosmetology industry, Education Director of Carlton Hair International, located in Irvine, California, and currently a Board Member of the California State Board of Cosmetology, would answer a resounding NO to these questions.

Tyler, who frequently speaks to community and inner-city youth groups on careers in the cosmetology industry, has outlined the three keys to succeeding in a beauty career.

Whether you use a map or a GPS, it’s unlikely you’ll get lost on the way to your final destination. Tyler strongly believes that the #1 success factor in the beauty industry is asking yourself – at the earliest stage – “What do I want to be and how do I get there?” Unless you want your career to resemble a cruise to nowhere, you need a career roadmap, so Begin your beauty industry career with the end in sight.

Most importantly, you need to ask yourself – Where in the marketplace do I want to end up? Perhaps you aspire to be a hairdresser to celebrities charging $500.00 or more per customer. Tyler believes you can achieve anything you want as long as you have the perseverance, skill set, strong work ethic and a commitment to lifelong learning in your profession. (Tyler has been in the beauty business for more than 30 years and he still
takes Advanced Cosmetology training courses.)

Every career choice you make from the start should follow your roadmap and be a stepping stone to your ultimate destination. You may start your cosmetology career at Fantastic Sam’s in a small town, then move to a small, upscale salon, then a larger upscale salon, re-locating to several states on your way to Beverly Hills. Or, perhaps, you want to stay in that small town because working for a national chain gives you the predictability and security that’s consistent with your lifestyle goals. Success is measured in a multitude of ways. You’re a success if you reach your final destination. The choice is yours.

Just remember that success doesn’t happen by accident or luck; success comes from choice, not chance. Even those from humble beginnings can become internationally renowned icons. Vidal Sassoon, unarguably the most famous individual in the beauty industry, was born in London in 1928 to very poor immigrant parents. As a teenager, he became an apprentice to a master barber, Adolph Cohen, and worked 16 hours a day, 6 days a week. Sassoon didn’t just appear on the scene in the 60s creating his innovative hair styles.

Apprenticeships are still a key success factor in the beauty industry, but first you need to receive the number of hours of training mandated by the state where you plan to begin your cosmetology career.

How do you select the beauty school that’s right for you? There are basically three types of educational institutions where you can train to become a beauty industry professional:

1) Upscale training programs (often called “boutique schools”), which cost
upwards of $20,000

2) Since cost is frequently an issue, you may want to explore Community Colleges in your area. In addition to affordability, you have the option of obtaining
an Associate’s Degree. But, keep in mind that Community College
programs take longer than the career school programs described below in #3. Therefore, you will need to factor in several months of “lost income” when you enroll in a two-year Community College Cosmetology program because you
will not be entering the job market as quickly.

3) The majority of beauty professionals receive their training at a Cosmetology School like Salon Success Academy, located in California’s Inland Empire. When
it comes to choosing the school that’s right for you, Tyler offers some sound
advice:

**Don’t go to a Beauty School that emphasizes up front that they’ll
help you pass the state exam. Invariably, these schools are playing
the numbers game because they need a certain percentage of grads
to pass the state exam so that their students can be eligible to receive
government funding.

**You’re better served by finding a school that partners with the
Beauty Industry and places emphasis on the real-world skills you need
to earn a living, e.g., how to market yourself, customer service skills,
exceeding your clients’ expectations, etc., in addition to the technical
skills and knowledge you need.

Tyler advises following the lead of the great companies like the Nordstrom Department Store chain. To set your goal of becoming a quality product, you need to pay attention to the following four criteria:

1) First and foremost you need technical excellence in your profession; and
don’t think that graduating from a beauty school and passing the state
exam is the end of your education. You need to always be fine tuning your skills with Advanced Training.

2) Extraordinary Customer Service follows closely behind technical skills. Make your clients feel special. Strive everyday to exceed your customers’
expectations and their perceived value.

3) Remember that you have an image to uphold. For example, if you work in
an upscale salon, don’t come to work with a visible belly button ring. You
should align your image (clothing, makeup, hair style) with the customers
you serve.

4) Communication Skills are Essential
You’re in the service business, so be aware that there are two types of communication: non verbal and verbal.

You non-verbally communicate your image and the salon’s image
with the choice of music you play and the added value you offer to
clientele, i.e., coffee, tea, pastries, reading materials, etc.

And, of course, verbal communication is vitally important. Greet each
client warmly with a handshake and a smile. First impressions
are critical.

Tyler strongly believes that you never get a second chance at a first impression.
You build success one client at a time. If a client loves her hair, she’ll tell three people. If she hates her hair, she’ll tell everybody.

A good start on your way to a successful beauty career is to consider Salon Success Academy where the owner’s philosophy is “to treat each student as part of our family, providing them with every opportunity to complete their studies at the lowest cost possible.”