Albany Beauty Academy gaining interest

ALBANY — Seeing a need for economic development, Takenya Jordan decided to establish a way for unlicensed home hairstylists to pursue careers in the field.

In February, the Albany Beauty Academy opened under Jordan’s ownership in a suite in the Market Square Complex at 2231 Dawson Road. In a program that lasts for roughly nine months, or 1,500 credit hours, its students are taught skills and knowledge to enable them to become licensed through the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology to offer beautician services.

In addition to hair-styling, education is also provided on how to perform manicures, pedicures and massages. The instruction does not include full-body massages, but Jordan said she is expecting to add that soon.

“There is a need to (get people) trained in cosmetology,” she said. “They are (working) at home and not licensed.”

The students get classroom time as well as hands-on training with mannequins and people who are willing to have work done by the students at discounted rates.

“They have to work on live people,” Jordan said. “A mannequin is so hard, and it’s not going to able to move like a human head.”

Class is conducted weekdays; once a week on Mondays for those in the online program. Demonstrations from people also working in the industry is included in the curriculum.

There are about a dozen students in the program now, with more than a dozen more looking to come in through a scholarship program being offered through the academy.

The business has been slowly building and the students appear to be engaged and motivated.

“When you first start a business, it is tricky, but I’m getting good feedback,” Jordan said.

Jordan, one of two instructors at the academy, has been passing out information on the school. If momentum builds, there may be a salon opening there sometime in the future, she said.

“There a lot of folks in this area who have the talent, but not education in the talent,” she said. “We have to bring the license part (into the equation).”

The academy’s website says the cosmetology program costs $125 a month. There is an instructor program available for $2,500, and a natural hairstylist certificate is $700. Students will need to get a kit, a few of which are available at the school, a textbook and a workbook. Jordan said she usually directs students to Amazon for the materials.

For those who need financial help, scholarships are being awarded to 15 people. Each scholarship is $3,300, which is applied only to tuition. Scholarship students will be evaluated periodically to make sure they are on task.

“It is more structured than what the students are doing now,” Jordan said. “We are trying to give them some structure.”

Jordan said those in the program are expected to miss no more than three days, complete their work and act professionally. As part of their real-world training, they’re also expected to be involved in the marketing process for the school.

“This is so when they are on their own, they can market for themselves,” Jordan said.

In addition, the students are taken to hair shows in Orlando, Valdosta and Atlanta, and they visit the site in Macon where they will be taking their board exam. For coming in on Saturday to gain spa experience, there is an opportunity to earn extra credit.

Brianna Collymore, who graduated from high school last year, is one of the students. Her ambition is to offer a line of service to the public that she said might only be expected in bigger cities.

“I want to own my own salon,” she said. “I want to be so far apart. I want to be different.

“I’ve been here since March, and I have already learned so much. I’ve always, always wanted to do (cosmetology).”

For someone wanting to go into that line of work, the academy is an ideal way of getting the needed education, Collymore said.

“I would recommend this school. … It is a cool environment. I like the people here, and it is peaceful,” she said.

To qualify for the program, Jordan said, a student must be at least 17 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and have a positive attitude. There is the potential for job placement opportunity through the academy.

For more information, call (229) 496-1640 or email [email protected]. The website is albanybeautyacademy.com.