September Newsletter

September Summary: Read about our largest class of students & how Amber's is helping around the community. Download a version for yourself here!

Beauty Careers in Indiana

Ever wondered where a cosmetology license could take you? Career options range from stylists, to educators, to sales representatives. The possibilities with a cosmetology license are endless! 

More importantly, the beauty industry in Indiana is thriving. It's a secure, flexible, and opportunistic career that will endure through tough economic times and flourish in times of economic growth. The beauty industry is a "recession-proof" career choice, as personal care jobs cannot be outsourced, and are always in demand. Hours are flexible, and it's a creative industry that is constantly changing as new techniques and technology are invented.

In terms of jobs, employment in the beauty industry is expected to grow each year, along with salary and commission. So, what's not to love? 

August Newsletter

Here's a recap of the last month at Amber's. Download a version for yourself here.

Guest Educator: Cindy Moser

Our students were lucky enough to spend a morning learning more about the beauty industry from chemist Cindy Moser. Cindy and her team specialize in creating hair products – namely shampoo, conditioner, and styling products – for retail consumers and professional use. She educated our students on the process of creating a hair product: the chemicals used, the types of testing procedures, and even the product’s shelf life.

Cindy also dissected the product lines we use, BennieFactor and GAGE FOR MEN, and explained to the students what makes them work so well. BennieFactor and GAGE FOR MEN contain two standout ingredients, according to Cindy - jojoba oil and amino acids. Jojoba oil is the closest oil to what our scalp and hair produces naturally, and amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, help to protect and repair the hair from the inside out. When we use these products, we’re doing the 100,000 hairs on our scalp a huge favor!

We loved to share this wonderful opportunity with our students. Thank you for joining us, Cindy!

Client Perspective: Jeanne Greenly

Weekly appointments with loyal client Jeanne Greenly are never disappointing. One of the most energetic, high-spirited, and joyous 90 year old ladies you will ever meet, you can usually find Jeanne laughing and dancing down our hallways. 

Jeanne Greenly pictured with her regular student & stylist, Elizabeth Lennartz.

Jeanne's first trip to Amber's was over 30 years ago - at our old location on Washington Street. Not soon after, she and her husband, Woody, became regulars - visiting Amber's every week!
Since then, Jeanne has not missed her weekly appointment of a shampoo and set. She loves coming in to see the students and chat with the "lovely young girls".

We want to thank you, Jeanne, for your loyalty over the years and for the happiness that you bring into Amber's. Your smile is infectious and your spirit is inspirational. We love being able to work with such a beautiful woman, and we are proud to be able to call you one of our regular clients. 

Social Media Tools for Cosmetology Students

This post is written by Kimberly Holmes, Social Media Director at Amber's Beauty School.

In my last post, I discussed why cosmetology students should use social media. If you're ready to get started with a social media plan, or you've already started, I'll share with you some great tools you can use to show your credibility, passion, and make connections in our industry.

Facebook

Most everyone has personal Facebook profile, but if you want one strictly for your business, you can create a Facebook Page. I would suggest using your name for the title of the page, and categorizing it under "Local Business" and "Spa/Beauty/Personal Care". Here, you can share your work, post about openings you have, events going on in your school/salon, and invite your clients to like your page. This is a great solution for those who want a division between their professional and personal profiles.

Twitter

Twitter is one of the best social media tools to use to connect with brands you love. For example, you are able to follow the companies that make the products you use in your salon (BennieFactor and Davines here at Amber's!). Following them allows you to keep up with the latest news and developments, promote their company by replying and retweeting to them, and tagging the company in your own tweet. 

Instagram

Instagram is a no brainer for showing off your skills! Pictures give people a deeper connection into your brand (watch the first minute or so of this video from Magnet Media, Inc explaining why) and Instagram is the perfect platform to do so. Plus, Instagram now has video as well as the ability to tag people (like clients!) It's is a fun and creative way to market yourself, and it connects seamlessly with your Facebook and Twitter profiles, so that means less work for you to post on multiple sites.

Online Communities

Connect with something bigger than yourself by joining online communities. Behind the Chair is a great resource that allows you to become a member and create a profile (check out ours here) and connect exclusively with individuals and companies in our industry - score!

If you choose to use all of these or even just one, the most important part is staying active. Keep posting and tagging - even if you get discouraged! At the very least, it will show your audience (even if it is small) that you care. I encourage you to try it out for yourself - experiment, find what works best for you and stick with it!

If you liked this post, please share.

July Newsletter

Hot off the press - our July newsletter! You can download a version for yourself here. 

Why Cosmetology Students Should Embrace Social Media

This post is written by Kimberly Holmes, Social Media Director at Amber's Beauty School.

If you are anything like me, you are constantly being bombarded with status updates, tagged pictures, tweets, live video steams, emails...and you love it! Granted, I probably spend more time using social media than the average person but it's part of my job! However, I use social media in my personal life too. Social media works as an "everything" tool for me - as a source of entertainment, socialization, news, networking, and I'm willing to bet your clients, community members, and future employers use it in the same manner. As a cosmetology student or someone working the beauty industry, social media is your friend. Using social media in the right way can validate your brand and expand your business. Here's three reasons why you should embrace social media now: 1. Credibility Having an established social media profile with credible content allows the reader to trust you. When your reader (future employers/clients/industry professionals) check you out online, and trust me, they will (check out some horror stories here), you want to make sure that your posts send messages that match your personal brand. If they see that you are credible, as in, what you project online and what they already know about you match, then you have gained their trust. Being credible gives the client or employer no reason to question you or your choices.  This means go through your profiles - eliminate, delete, hide, and untag all "questionable" material and start replacing it with material that you would feel comfortable sharing with anyone. 2. Passion Social media is a fantastic way to share what you do and what you love. Create your own content - start a blog, post pictures of your work, or share other's content - read and post articles on your profiles, retweet the latest news - whatever you do, make sure that it reflects your passion for the industry.  Passion is a key trait that employers seek out in their employees, so showing how much you care can never hurt. Also, passion is infectious! You have the ability to inspire others through what you share.

3. Connection Your potential to connect with others is unlimited. After all, isn't that why social media was created?When you post, think of the potential reach it has. Strangers, clients, future employers, industry professionals  - ANYONE can see what you put on social media. Do some research - find and follow your greatest influencers, and establish connections with them online. This means tag them, interact with them through questions and comments, and show them what you have to offer! Whether you are in the process of becoming a professional, or you are already established in your career, you are working in an industry that thrives on communication and relationships. Social media is a perfect and logical choice to reflect this huge part of your life.
I'm not saying that everything you post has to be spectacular or inspirational, or even industry-related. Normal posts about your everyday life, your family, your pets, are good - they show the reader that you are a real, relatable person. That being said, your posts, no matter the content, should be worthwhile. Social media is powerful, and it's a tool that is literally right at your fingertips.  So, what are you waiting for? Get to posting and sharing!  If you liked this post, please share.

Amber's Open House

Amber's Beauty School is hosting an Open House! Take a tour of our facility, meet our incredible instructors and students, talk with our Director of Admissions, and, most importantly, enjoy yourself! 2-4PM: Amber's will be open for regular business hours. You will be able to experience Amber's and see what a typical day is like. 4-6PM: Amber's will be open exclusively for this event. This is a great time to talk with the instructors, our Director of Admissions, and students. Also, a drawing for an awesome giveaway will held at the end of the night! The Open House is a perfect opportunity to learn more about Amber's. We highly encourage prospective students and their guests to attend. Beverages and h'orderves will be provided. Please join our Facebook event here.

Special Guest: Vicki O'Conner

Today, our students were lucky enough to spend some time with Regional Master Trainer from Davines, Vicki O'Conner. Specializing in hair color and hair color training, Vicki spent the day introducing our new color line, Davines Mask Colour, to our students.

Vicki teaches our students how to identify natural hair color.

Mask Colour is a high-end, permanent hair color line made by Davines with milk protein, which moisturizes, strengthens, and creates fantastic shine in hair. Based in Italy, Davines and prides themselves on the sustainability of their products and the ecological footprint their products leave. Mask Colour is made from about 70% natural and organic ingredients and uses recyclable and compostable packaging. 
Our students are having a blast using this new product, and Vicki is just as excited to work with them. She came to Amber's with a mission to create great color professionals using a positive and consistent approach. Today, she taught the importance of establishing a connection with the brand and how to utilize the product properly.

Vicki O'Conner - Regional Master Trainer for Davines

Vicki loves that she is able to work with owners Brian and Brook is looking forward to learning and growing with the students at Amber's.

Prom Package

Headed to prom soon? Take advantage of our special deal just for you: undo, mani, and pedi for $30.00!
Call us at 765.285.2205 to schedule your appointment!

April Newsletter

You can download a version of our newsletter here.

Special Guest: Wella Educators

To ensure the highest quality of education for our students, Amber's partners with a multitude of education and training resources, like classes taught by professionals in the cosmetology industry.  On April 3rd our students were lucky enough to spend the way with Wella Educators Pablo Alvarado and Rachel Siddons, getting up close and personal with the duo while learning insider techniques and tips. 

Pablo Alvarado lives in Miami, Florida, where he went to Beauty School and received his certification in cosmetology. Pablo, however, did not begin his career in the beauty industry. Alvarado has a degree in Banking and Finance, but after experiencing this field decided that hair was his true passion.  Since working for Wella, Pablo has been traveling around the country educating students, much like the students at Ambers. 

"I love to bring my artistic ability to life by styling hair and educating beauty students." 
Rachel Siddions grew up in Indiana and attended PJ's College of Cosmetology in Carmel, IN. Like Pablo, Rachel worked in a different industry - nursing - before finding her true calling in styling hair. Rachel loves being a stylist because she loves being around people and being able to express her artistic self through this art form.

Our students were able to grow and learn from working with these dynamic people, and we truly enjoyed having these two as our special guests! 

Meet the Team

Our team of dedicated and licensed professionals work with our students to deliver a quality education and to create experts ready to work in the beauty industry.

Client Perspective: Phyllis Brown

Phyllis Brown & student Sami Thurston

Phyllis Brown, a native from Madison Grant in Fairmount, IN, starts every Friday morning with a 30 minute drive to Amber's.  A truly loyal customer, Phyllis has been pampering herself with the works - a facial, scalp treatment, pedicure, and style - for 27 years. Her dedication to Amber's is due to the accommodation and respect she receives from the employees and students, innovation and creativity from owners Brian and Brook Shrieve, and overall appeal of the environment.  Phyllis enjoys the clean and neat nature of the building and is looking forward to enjoying the landscaping in warmer weather.  Her positive attitude and warm-hearted nature makes the student's Friday mornings much more fun, and we look forward to her weekly visits. Phyllis has been writing a column for the News Sun newspaper in Farmount, IN for the past 19 years.   

Phyllis Brown looking glamorous after her weekly visit to Amber's.

March Newsletter

You can download a version of our newsletter here.

February Newsletter

You can download a version of our newsletter here.

A Bird's Eye View

Check out our girls hard at work!

Here's a bird's eye view of about 15 minutes of a regular day at Amber's time lapsed into about 30 seconds.