Beauty Link - volume 1, issue 3 - (Page 40) Q | feat ure | R The Evolution o e o u o of Am be r Mor te n se n , Edit or i a l D irector, A ACS The Studio Academy of Beauty • Chandler, Ariz. Owned by Jeff and Cathy Koluch, open three years Opening a beauty school from scratch and making it to accreditation is usually approached as the marathon that it is, but The Studio Academy of Beauty is proof of what is possible if you start out in a sprint. Jeff and Cathy first decided to open a beauty school in July 2006. Their first class of students started on Nov. 1, 2006, and they were approved for accreditation in February 2009. They crossed the finish line to receiving fi nancial aid in May 2009, with an award-winning time of two years and nine months from their opening date. Getting Started Before opening the school neither Jeff nor Cathy had a background in cosmetology. Jeff is an electrical engineer and also has an MBA in finance. Cathy had worked for 15 years in post-secondary education. She always hoped she would have a school some day. It was a conversation with a friend in the cosmetology school industry that led her down the path of cosmetology. “My friend explained how cosmetology school is a path to business ownership for many graduates,” said Cathy. This was a major difference compared to other trade schools she was familiar with, and she saw it as a huge advantage. Cathy started Googling beauty schools and doing her research, and about a week later the decision was made to open a beauty school from scratch. Taking Action From the moment they made the decision to start a new school, their method of success was to take action. Just a few weeks after they made this decision, they found a building and signed a lease effective August 1, with a goal opening date of November 1. They contacted the state board to get the exact list of everything they needed to have in place to get their license. In October 2006 they turned on their online marketing for recruiting students and began conducting interviews for instructors. With the build-out not complete, Cathy remembers conducting some of the interviews with only a desk and a battery-operated lamp. While not ideal, they knew it was necessary in order to open on schedule. Just as planned, in November 2006 they opened their doors. The most important thing to them was getting the two-year clock started for accreditation. “We knew right from the beginning that we were going to take the route of accreditation and tried to set everything up with that goal in mind,” Cathy said. Conquering Their Biggest Challenge They made contact frequently with their accrediting agency and their consultative visit was in September 2008. They were told they had absolutely everything in order and that they could have been approved that day. With everything in place, their official appointment was scheduled for the nearest open date possible, the first week of January 2009. They were granted accreditation and promptly moved forward with the Department of Education. They received certification for financial aid in May 2009. Lacking financial aid for students had been their biggest challenge up to that point. Many prospective students, or their parents, did not have high enough [c o n t i n u e d o n p a ge 43] 40 | B EA U TY LIN K | LINKS T O SUCCE SS 2 0 0 9 Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Beauty Link - volume 1, issue 3 Beauty Link - Volume 1, Issue 3 Contents Message From the AACS President and CEA Chair AACS Convention: Building Essential Links to Success Fall Manicure Trends Multicultural Corner Superstar Graduates Don’t Forget to “Shake It Off” Going Green and Saving Green Beauty Schools 101 What’s Trend Got to Do with It? Regulatory Issues Creating a Standout Portfolio The Evolution of Success Successful Inspiration Voices from the Classroom And Then There's Compliance 2009 CEA Convention Photos Cimaglia Award Winners Defi ne Success The Workings of Washington Pioneers in Beauty Defining History: The Westmores of Hollywood New School Members Join AACS/CEA Associate Member Profiles: Nail Specialty Companies New Products & Services People & Places Upcoming 2009/2010 Events Look Who's Reading Index to Advertisers Advertiser's.com Beauty Link - volume 1, issue 3 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naylor/BSAQ0113 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naylor/BSAQ0412 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naylor/BSAQ0312 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naylor/BSAQ0212 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naylor/BSAQ0112 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naylor/BSAQ0411 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naylor/BSAQ0311 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naylor/BSAQ0211 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naylor/BSAQ0111 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naylor/BSAQ2011MediaKit http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naylor/BSAQ0410 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naylor/BSAQ0310 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naylor/BSAQ0210 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naylor/BSAQ0110 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naylor/BSAQ0409 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naylor/BSAQ0309 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naylor/BSAQ0209 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naylor/BSAQ0109 http://www.nxtbookMEDIA.com
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