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? 

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.

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.

In Session: Enrollment & Class Information

Are you a prospective student? Want to know more about the admission process and class information?  Read on in our interview with Sara Criswell, Instructor & Admissions Director at Amber's, for a different perspective on student life.
Tell me about the application and selection process for students: Students need to fill out an application, which can be filled out at Amber's, mailed in, or done online. (You can find the link for online application here.)  Once we have their application, it is reviewed, and if you fulfill the requirements, you'll be accepted.  We have on average 50 students per class, but we take almost everyone who is willing to dedicate themselves and learn!  

Paper applications waiting to be filled out!

How much does it cost for a student to go here? For a full time student, it costs $6,995 + $300 enrollment fee.  For a part time student, it's $7,495+ $300 enrollment fee.  Books and a cosmetology kit are included in this price.

Cosmetology Kit + Textbook

How long does it take for students to complete the program?   A full time student graduates from Amber's in 10 months, and a part-time student takes about a year and a half.
Does Amber's work with students to accommodate to their schedules and busy lives? Yes - we take part time students in high school, and we offer full time as well as part time classes.  Our students range from 16 - 50 years old.  Some are working, some are going to school, and some are balancing both plus a family.

What is a typical day like for students? Students come to Theory class for an hour in the mornings, where we use the Miladi textbook.  Then, students work on clinic floor assignments, like a 9 section perm, finger waves, or color application.  This is either done on other students or on their mannequin.  The rest of the day is left for hands on experience, so students work directly with clients.
How important is this real-life experience at Amber's? It's crucial! What they're doing here IS their business.  Everything that they're going to be doing out in the real world is hands on - and they're doing it now.  Theory is important because they need to learn the basics, but it is most important to be able to apply what they know.

The girl's: in action!

Are students graded? They are tested once a week in Theory class, and we use the traditional A-F grading system. 
What are the requirements for students to get their license? Their license takes 1500 hours to complete.  The state requires that they finish the 1500 hours, and 150 can be job shadowing hours, so they can try out salons before they commit to a job.  We require that students take a practical, and they are also required to take a final test in Indy, which is multiple choice and taken on the computer.  Amber's has an extremely high success rate in terms of graduation - about 95-100% of our students graduate every year.
How successful are Amber's graduates? They are extremely successful and vary in the jobs they hold.  Many are hairdressers, both local and across the country, and some are even opening their own salons!
How is Amber's different than any other beauty school? What sets Amber's apart is that it is a family owned business, and the family is active in it.  It is smaller, and we don't have several locations, so we can keep our education and what we do at a high standard.
Why would you recommend beauty school? First, if its your passion, its your passion.  It's a business that makes people feel good, and making people feel good is good for everyone involved.

A History of Amber's

Characterized by its excellent hands-on education, fantastic service, and its sleek, modern appearance, Amber's Beauty School is not your average space.  Large graphics adorn grey walls, along with eye-catching pops of yellow, welcoming all to its cozy, yet industrial style feel.  Amber's is easily one of the sleekest, most modern facilities in Muncie.  Clients are greeted by friendly faces, talented students, and comfortable surroundings.  With a student base in the mid-50s, Amber's has steadily been growing since its new business owners, Brian and Brook Shrieve bought the company four years ago.  Yet, Amber's did not begin this way - passed down as a family business, Amber's Beauty School is rooted in humble beginnings, and small-town community.

Amber's Beauty School - Now

We sat down with Butch Shrieve, former owner of Amber's Beauty School and Brian's great-uncle, to uncover the history behind Amber's.
Tell me about the founders of Amber's. The name "Amber" comes from Amber Hunter.  She went to beauty school in Hillsboro, Il in the late 20s, and then decided to open her own school in Vandeleigh, Il.  Later on, around 1927, she decided to move the school to a larger town - Alton, Il on the Mississippi River.  At this time, the school was called Central Illinois School of Beauty Culture, and it was located on 401 Henry Street.   Amber's brother, George, had a job working on the railroad.  He decided to go to beauty school because the beauty industry was stable in the 20's, at the time of the Great Depression.  He graduated around 1928.
Amber's sister, Marjorie (Butch's mother) also wanted a part in the beauty industry.  Instead of attending beauty school, she received her education through apprentice training, which is about 2,000 hours of working in a salon.
The Central Illinois School of Beauty Culture was extremely successful - in the beginning year they did 1,000 machine permanents (now known as perms), and 999 the next year!

A machine permanent.

Why did Amber's move to Muncie? Amber's moved to Indiana in 1935.  The Indiana Beauty Board suggested South Bend or Muncie, and Amber and George picked Muncie because it was on the same railroad line George worked on.  In 1936, the name was changed to Amber's Beauty School.  At this time, the school was located on 803 E. Washington Street, and was owned by Amber, Bell Casey (Amber's sister), Marjorie, and her husband, George Shrieve.

George, Marjorie, and their son, Butch, outside of Amber's on E. Washington Street.

Are the other locations in Illinois still in existence? No, everything in Illinois is gone.
How important is the idea of family to Amber's? Family is the backbone of the business.  It's been passed down to family members, and we love this industry.  When I was young, my family lived above the school, so I was raised there.  In 1956, I attended beauty school, where I met my wife, Patricia.  We worked for Amber's and owned the business together for 52 years.
How does the community affect Amber's, and vice versa? Well, I'm 75, and I've lived here all my life.  Amber's has made a huge contribution to the community, with probably around 5,000 graduates trained in Jay, Blackford, Randolph, Henry, Madison, & Grant counties.

Far left: Pat & Butch inside Amber's in the 1960's.

In 1982, my wife Pat and I opened a new school location on White River Boulevard.  We trained vocational students and well as regular students.  We were busy back then - we had about 150 students at a time, about 250 customers in a day, and 13 instructors on duty.  One day we did 92 perms! What I've noticed about this industry is that it runs on a cycle.  About every 15 years it peaks, then evens out, then peaks again.  Now, the opportunity to make money is better, because clients come in every once in a while and splurge, instead of once a week.
What is your secret to success? You're gonna get paid, so don't worry about that.  Your job (as a hairdresser) is to make people feel better about themselves.  Hair is so important to women - I remember seeing women come in with a hospital bracelet on their wrists!  Also, your business and your employees have to have a personality.  The most successful employees are the ones that connect with clients.

Clients from a Style Show in the 1970's

Amber's now - making people feel good about themselves!

What are you most proud of in regards to Amber's? Beauty school is an art form.  Many students are into it - and they have a passion for it.  At Amber's, we are able to do a good job with the training and keep the cost down, way below other schools.  Also, we have extremely loyal clientele.  Some have been coming in for more than 50 years!