Breaking the Stigma: Why Beauty Careers Are Smart, Creative, and Lucrative When You Make the Right Moves August 19, 2025

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the stigma around beauty school.

You’ve probably heard it before.

“You’re too smart for that.”

“That’s not a real career.”

“Beauty school is a backup plan.”

At our academy, we hear those kinds of comments way too often from incoming students and

even more so, from their parents, family and friends—and we’re here to set the record straight.

The Truth? Beauty Careers Are Incredibly Smart

Choosing a career in beauty is not just about doing hair or makeup. It’s about building a brand.

Managing a business. Growing a loyal clientele. Staying on top of trends. Creating an

experience. It takes strategy, grit, and creativity.

Smart? That’s an understatement.

Many of our students graduate with skills that go far beyond the salon chair. They master

customer service, retail sales, digital marketing, and time management—all while building a

career they’re passionate about. In fact, some of the most successful beauty professionals we

know are entrepreneurs running six-figure businesses on their own terms. And yes, some of

them are right here in our own community!

And the curriculum? What most people don’t realize is just how in-depth our curriculum really

is. It’s not just about curling hair or applying lipsPck—it’s science, chemistry, anatomy, and

arPstry all rolled into one. Students study the layers of the skin, learn how to analyze and treat

different skin types and shapes, and even mix customized formulas for hair color and skincare

treatments. Understanding product ingredients, safety protocols, muscle structure, and

sanitaPon are all part of the training. It’s a comprehensive educaPon designed to build not just

talent—but true experPse.

It’s Also One of the Most Creative Careers Out There

If you’ve ever been the kind of person to experiment with your look, follow beauty trends on

TikTok, or help friends with their hair or makeup before big events—this industry was made for

you.

Cosmetology, esthetics, nails, barbering, massage—these aren’t just trades. They’re art forms.

You get to make people feel seen and beautiful. You get to create something new every single

day. You get to leave your mark—and your clients walk out of your chair feeling transformed.

There’s nothing more fulfilling than that.

You also get to be a part of people’s most special days in life – including weddings, proms, class

reunions, graduations and celebrations of life.

The creativity that is opened to you with a career is truly limitless. Every new guest is a new

canvas, ready for you to create, and put your special touch on it.

Let’s Talk About the Money

Yes, you can make real money in this industry.

But here’s the catch: just like any career, it’s what you make of it.

A beauty career doesn’t come with a salary cap. You decide how far you go. And unlike many

traditional career paths that require four years of school and tons of debt, beauty school

typically takes less than 1.5 years —and you can start earning faster.

Add in the power of social media, personal branding, and specializing in high-demand services,

and suddenly, you’re not just making money—you’re thriving.

Our graduates have gone on to do big things:

• Opening their own salons or studios

• Becoming celebrity stylists or platform artists

• Working with major beauty brands

• Building massive followings as beauty influencers

They’re not just making a living. They’re building lives they love.

So when it comes to income, remember, the beauty industry gives you opPons. AYer

graduaPon, you can choose the path that feels most comfortable—clocking in, doing good work,

and making a steady, respectable income. Or, like with any career, you can hustle hard and build

something bigger. Whether that means specializing in high-end services, opening your own

studio, becoming an educator, or building a personal brand—there’s no ceiling unless you set

one. Many professionals seZle into the “beauty doesn’t pay much” narraPve, but that’s not the

rule. The power is in your hands.

Well Then, Why the Stigma?

It usually comes from people who don’t know the full story—or who haven’t seen firsthand

what’s possible. Beauty careers used to be seen as “less than,” but that narrative is outdated.

The industry has evolved, and so have the people in it.

Beauty professionals are no longer just service providers. They’re educators. Entrepreneurs.

Artists. Healers.

So if you’re someone who’s felt drawn to the world of beauty but hesitant because of what

others might think—this is your sign.

Follow your gut. Explore your creativity. Build a career that reflects you.

Because beauty careers?

They’re not just smart.

They’re soulful.

They’re exciting.

And yes—they’re lucrative.

Especially when you make the right moves . 💖