Toni&Guy jumpstarts student cosmetology careers
Written by Amy Biolchini | | ABiolchini@toledofreepress.comThe cosmetology industry is growing. The number of personal appearance workers, including barbers and cosmetologists, will grow by 20 percent from 2008 to 2018, according to a 2010-2011 report by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Toledo location of Toni&Guy Hairdressing Academy, an international instructional salon, is entering its 18th month of classes and is capitalizing on the industry’s growth. Kristin Reichardt, recruiting director for the Toledo Academy, said the salon focuses on turning its students into entrepreneurs.
“We really want to focus on the professional side of hair and beauty,” Reichardt said. “Toni&Guy makes sure students are confident in building their clientele.”
Many of the students who come to Toni&Guy are in the midst of changing their careers, Reichardt said.
“We get a lot of students changing focus. Many of them come from nursing or criminal justice backgrounds, who have the attitude of ‘I want to help people.’ We also get the students right out of high school reading Cosmo instead of studying in study hall,” Reichardt said.
Students learn all aspects of cosmetology, from manicures, pedicures and makeup to hairstyling. Toni&Guy offers a 54-week program that allows students to log 1800 clock hours, a standard number required for students to pass the state board cosmetology exam.
The salon starts a new class every four weeks, so there is a constant cycle of students in the freshmen through senior standings. Class sizes average between six to eight students, Reichardt said.
“Students start cutting the second day of class on a mannequin and learn eight haircuts in the first four weeks,” Reichardt said.
Toni&Guy has its own procedure, Reichardt said. Students of its cosmetology program learn 15 hair cuts and more color treatments than are required to pass the state board exam, allowing them to be salon-ready.
“No matter what salon they go into they can be an asset,” Reichardt said.
Toni&Guy’s cosmetology program puts students through a progression of freshmen to senior standing. As freshmen, students learn a foundation for cutting and styling, as well as the Toni&Guy terminology used in the salon, Reichardt said. Sophomores are introduced to coloring and chemical treatments, and how to apply the right kinds of color to each client. Students also get to create a “fantasy head,” where they can incorporate any element they want into a hairstyle on a mannequin. Reichardt said students have created a working boombox with speakers and a tornado with a cow inside.
“It’s a great way to make them think outside the box,” Reichardt said. “We want to give them a broad understanding of every avenue in the industry.”
Prospective students must be at least 17 years old with a high school diploma or GED to enroll with Toni&Guy. However, if students are interested but don’t yet have their diploma or GED, Reichardt said that Toni&Guy is willing to work with them.
“I don’t want warm bodies coming in here, I want future Toni&Guy grads,” Reichardt said. “Come in, we’ll talk and make it happen for you.”
The Toledo Toni&Guy is located at 3034 Wilford Drive. Call (419) 866-4489 or visit www.toniguy.com for more information.
