Bella Beauty College trains students on the hottest trends sizzling up the industry right now. Offering classes in both English and Spanish, pupils not only get an education in cosmetology, but also pick up on what’s making money in today’s salons.


SURVIVAL TOOLS FOR TODAY’S INDUSTRY

Branched out to five locations in central Texas, Bella Beauty College provides its students with the tools to succeed as nail techs.

Senior Nail Instructor, Gracie King, says anyone who wants to survive in the industry needs two things: education and experience.

“As new students, we know they won’t have the experience that other nail techs have in the field,” King says. “So we provide them with as much education as possible.”

The school provides a wide range of beauty education, offering programs for aspiring hair stylists, estheticians, and nail techs.

King adds that what the college offers matches the hottest trends that are making the most money in the industry today. “We teach the latest trends, familiarize our students with advanced techniques and demonstrate the real money makers in today's salons,” King says.

Guest instructors, including contest champions and company educators, come in to teach workshops on those trends.

A few of the newest sections of curriculum offered at the college are 3-D nail art and designing different nail shapes.


IN THE CLASSROOM

Of the different campuses — North Austin, South Austin, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and Waco — San Antonio is the most nail focused.

About 40% of the education offered at the San Antonio campus is on nails. The other campuses focus about 10% of the curriculum on nails. All five locations are hoping to expand their nail programs. Students can complete the nail technician program in 600 hours.

At 5,348 sq. ft., the San Antonio campus is also the second largest. Out of all locations, however, San Antonia has the most instructors (eight).

Classroom demographics are around 90% female, from ages 28- to 44. Most students are single mothers working multiple jobs while attending classes. Those students are primarily there to get an education in order to better the futures of their families.

The majority of students are also Spanish speaking or bilingual, which works perfectly at Bella Beauty College since classes are offered in both English and Spanish.

Enrollment at the San Antonio school has shot up from 80 students this time last year to around 120 this year, which is credited to the booming industry that hasn’t really been hit by the struggling economy.

INTO THE FUTURE

At Bella Beauty College, the education doesn’t just stop at the salon door. The college's Communications Coordinator, Lindsay Smith, says the school trains students on how to succeed in the interviewing room as well.

“We hold career days at the schools, where students can come in and practice their interview skills,” Smith says. “Students dress the part, bring in their resumes, and sit down for mock interviews.”

Smith says the school even provides letters of recommendation to all of their top graduates and keeps in touch with as many as they can. “We love to hear what salons they are working at now and what competitions they are entering next,” Smith says.

Several of the school’s graduates have gone on to become student instructors, working towards getting their instructors’ licenses to teach in the field themselves.

The school is looking forward to holding more specialized workshops, contests, and classes throughout the year, and is excited to see what the future holds for their nail techs.


Fast Facts

School name: Bella Beauty College

Locations:
North Austin - 4631 Airport Blvd.
South Austin - 623 W. Ben White Blvd.
Corpus Christi - 5817 Weber Rd.
San Antonio - 720 SW Military Dr.
Waco - 3110 Franklin Ave.

Owners: Linda Colwell and Erin Poff

Square Footage:
North Austin - 4,500
South Austin - 3,400
Corpus Christi - 4,100
San Antonio - 5,348
Waco - 7,600

Opened:
North Austin - 1978
South Austin - 1967
Corpus Christi - 1978
San Antonio - 2009
Waco - 1980

Number of Employees:
North Austin - 6
South Austin - 4
Corpus Christi - 5
San Antonio - 8
Waco - 5

Number of hours to complete nail course: 600

Website:

www.BellaBeautyCollege.com

 www.Facebook.com/BellaBeautyCollege


Editor’s Note:  This profile is part of a series spotlighting successful nail programs. To nominate a nail program for an article, please e-mail sree.roy[at]bobit.com.

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