I wrote some parts of this for an essay on why AVEDA for the Edwin Neill competition last year and just continued on with it to share my experiences and to say thank you.

I started The AVEDA Institute March 1, 2010 really not knowing what My future had in store for me. A business acquaintance of mine would always brag on these great products that she uses by Aveda and at that time I never heard of it. I remember using some of her Smooth Infusion Style Prep Smoother on a bridal party members’ hair and the noticeable difference it made, I had to find out more about these products. I had been doing makeup professionally for 14 years but I was at a cross road in my life where I was a jack of my trade but not a master. I realized that I would remain stagnant had I not receive proficient training and licensing in cosmetology. Everything I wanted to do required a license, so I Google searched for the best beauty schools and the AVEDA Institute just kept popping up.

I made an appointment and came in for a tour. The minute I walked through the door I was greeted by Bill, he walked up to me well out of his way and said “welcome to AVEDA darling, how may I help you”?, L.L. Cool J’s song, “Round the way girl”, was pumping in the speakers, the front retail area was packed with happy guests waiting to pay for services rendered, and the students looked so trendy and fashion forward. I was sold. I toured and I signed up right away.

In the beginning it was tedious!!! I remember the first day signing a form that said, ” we all do windows”, that set the tone for us as the “freshman’s” of the school. We learned to clean everything from drains to microwaves! We were the last ones to clock out every nite because the other classes told us that’s how it works, and they get seniority over us. I promised myself I that I would never do that and I never did.Getting use to such an eclectic group of personalities and all that estrogen for twelve hours was going to be difficult or a “challenge”, as my educator, Mondo told me to call it. The days were long. Extremely long! I mastered the art of falling asleep with my eyes open. I remember there was one particular day when I thought that I couldn’t take it anymore, I was at my breaking point and felt like quitting. Vega took me in the educators office told me that he believed in me and gave me the words of encouragement that I needed to hear. Thank you Vega, because I was ready to “catch a case”, and call it a day. I kept my focus on what I was here for, and I then tried out for the editorial team and made it. Since being on the editorial team I have had the opportunity to be a part of some really amazing projects and met allot of awesome people like the Assaf salon commercial, the Pink fashion show for breast cancer at Hard rock and the Miami Dolphins cheerleaders just to name a few!

I then progressed on into the next phase Advanced Unit 1 – pedicures! I really thought hard about quitting then but it was only for three weeks and I sucked it up and got through it. My educator Phillip really was my rock and Melody my inspiration they encouraged me to to try out for the Edwin Neill Full Potential Award competition. I stayed up late that night and wrote my essays, chose a theme and came in early that morning with a 102 temperature and feeling like death and tried out. I remember how touched I was when my class mates supported me, helped me and routed for me. The competition was stiff, I was nervous because I was up against some really talented individuals. I won for makeup part of the competition and went to Orlando to compete nationally, even though we didn’t win nationals, I came out feeling like a winner because of the lifelong friendships, wisdom and motivation to aspire to become better than the best. Jordan Ortega was our model and she was the winner of the full scholarship award, beautiful girl and mind. I’m grateful for knowing that young lady. Lori Kessinger was the cut winner and Krystle Florio for colour. We got a chance to work one on one with Paul the and it was an outstanding eye opening experience.

I moved on to the next phase – A2. The best part of A2 was being able to park in the regular spots out back and not have to walk all the way down the block with this big heavy kit. Things were looking up! I still hated doing hair and color I think maybe because I just didn’t understand or get it and didn’t want to get it. My educator Bianca, proved herself to be an amazing leader, full of knowledge and straight to the point. I had the opportunity to audition for a hair show featuring some of AVEDA Canada’s rock stars of the hair world. I was chosen as a model and off my hair went! My educators kept telling me how much of a honor it was to be amongst these people and I remember saying who??? They were so normal and crazy and cool, knowledgeable, egar to share and teach and Crazy cool!!! Morgan she was the stylist that cut my hair she was amazing and Daisy did my colour. She blew me away with her foil placements and formulations and then there was Ray.. Ahh Ray- Ray Civello a.k.a. the 40 million dollar man as I have come to find out! He is the guy in all the instructional videos, founder and President of College International, Canada’s National Distributor of AVEDA products. He has been a leader and a pioneer in the fashion, beauty and wellness industry in Canada for over 3 decades. I just thought he was a crazy ass stylist that wanted to give me a half fro!I got to know a different side of Stacey on that trip to St. Petersburg. I’m not sure what her Job title is but I know she’s Every ones boss. Very Cool woman when you get to know her.

Salon Concepts proved to be the hardest of them all for me. It was right around the holidays, thanksgiving and Christmas. We were so busy and I was going through a lot of personal tribulations that clouded my goals and kind of distracted me from my focus but Denise and my guests never gave up on me. I had to take myself away from all those things because I was too close to the end to screw up. I had never missed a day of school and I was determined that God willing I never would, but there were mornings I felt like not getting out of bed, With all these people believing in me, encouraging me, and never giving up on me, then why should I. I asked for extra help and was so happy that Jessica didn’t even hesitate. I took full opportunity and tried my very hardest persisted and tried to understand. Thank you Melody, Vega, Chelsea- (you really helped me allot!), and Jay.

So now I’m in masters now with just seven more weeks left, 23 days or 229 hours and 45min. more to go I’m happy to say that I think I kinda might, (can’t believe I’m actually gonna say this) actually like doing hair!! Maybe… Jessica said to me last week that I’ve been here for 54 weeks and I still don’t know what I want to do. The opportunities are endless and they just keep coming It’s a bit overwhelming at the moment but I have just been asking for strength and guidance for the power higher than me to point me in the right direction.

The moral to all of this is to encourage all students to participate in every opportunity that arises here at AVEDA.I have had mothers bring their daughters for me to encourage them to come to this school, future students stop me on their tours, friends and guest and I have have told them all it is what you make of it. I have met some amazing people! Do not fall victim to the petty drama! focus on your goals and ambitions. If you don’t understand don’t be afraid to ask. Try to be better than the best and don’t ever quit!

Thank you Jessica.

Tagged as: Aveda, Aveda beauty school, aveda institute south florida, beauty career, beauty stylists, cosmetology, make up