LAS VEGAS. Euphoria Institute first opened in 2002, with a campus in Summerlin area of Las Vegas. Co-owner Larry Doyle, along with partners Bonnie Chu and Joe Lamarca, decided to open their own school after being dissatisfied with the skills recent graduates were showing at their chain of salons, Euphoria Salon & Day Spas.

The institute proved so successful that Doyle and his partners decided to open a second location in Green Valley last year, which has about 140 students. The Summerlin location has 160. Both campuses offer full- and part-time programs in esthetics, and permanent makeup. Beginning next year, the institute will also begin offering a massage program.

So what is the secret of Euphoria Institute’s success? “We have the benefit of being salon owners and educators,” says Doyle, a former algebra teacher. “We know what clients want and can focus on that in our schools.” The institute focuses heavily on business-building techniques, even requiring students to complete an assignment they’re dubbed the “10 Client Project.” Each student is required to bring 10 new clients to the schools’ student salon.

Although Nevada law allows nail technology students to work on the public after completing 250 school hours, Euphoria students must complete 400 hours before offering.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, Click here.