cosmetology instructor

guest service agent

front desk receptionist

front desk agent

esthetician

The Salon Professional Academy

The most motivating aspect of this position was my passion for teaching. At the start of my short time working for The Salon Professional Academy I seemed to have learned the routine and was excited about the industry and inspiration I was spreading to others. The worst part was that the expectations kept piling up throughout those months. Each team meeting, was about all the responsibilities the educators are responsible for. This including entirely too much for one educator to take on with a low staff of 5 educators total. I couldn't imagine adding more to my plate. Although I was paid salary I almost always worked 40 + hours, sometimes did not get a lunch, and always made up hours. TSPA went through merely 5 educators while I worked there. The Last 5 weeks at the Academy I worked really hard covering shifts for others to take time off even though I really needed to take a FMLA (family medical leave act) due to an injury in my most dominant hand. I was talked to about being late, not having my make up done and my student doing my hair. This seemed unfair considering a broken hand in two places after a motor vehicle accident. I felt pushed into a 2 weeks notice when I was told I "needed to schedule my doctor appointments on my day off". This was unreasonable considering I never had a consistent schedule, with our short/changing staff. Nor did I think this was fair considering I was trying my best even though I was in pain and exhausted emotionally/physically. It is not easy to stand for 9 hrs with few breaks and soft tissue damage to my entire right leg. At the meeting about a complaint a student made about my getting my hair fixed (on my lunch break), I was told that I "would never get disability compensation for my injury" which come to find out later, my lead educator was wrong about. I left in tears several times and felt very discouraged. The worst part is I would have continued working at a low wage, sacrifice time with my 2 children, put my bachelors degree on hold just to expand the success in the industry by creating a strong foundation for others. Some stylist are not meant to be an educator, this profession isn't an easy thing to do, and does require multi-tasking. Even with my expertise in Cosmetology and Education, they just had unrealistic expectations.

This company was a fun place to work. There were a lot of different people and personalities so I met a wide range of people since they have students who attend there also. The staff and students were nice and easy to get along with- most of them were. I was given a fair amount of time I needed for training to learn the system they have and had help available when I needed it. There is a lot of information at once but pay attention and you will catch on with the help of staff and the manager at the front desk. Not many benifits or advancement but the pay was satisfactory. The hours were pretty good, didnt get out too late when closing and didn't open too early. Scheduling was fair. Opening and closing duties were pretty easy to do. Once comfortable you would do it alone. But you were only alone for about an hour- 2 hours at most each day (usually an hour at opening and an hour at closing), otherwise someone else was always working with you. Always got an hour break each day. Everyone would find a fair time to take their hour break making sure someone was always at the front desk. Most of the customers were great also. Defiinitely need to have the ability to multitask-answering phones and making appointments, rescheduling and moving appointment times, as well as people coming in for appointments to make or to get checked in while at the same time tending to the students with their NEEDS- like printing out their own tickets for mannequin or client services they performed or will perform and cashing out their customers for services rendered. Salon teachers were on the floor at all times (usually between 1 and 3). Most of the teachers would come over to help you if needed (if busy or bathroom break is needed and you are alone). Must clock in on time for shift and breaks or management will get involved pretty quickly.

Because I plan on going to school here, I’m going to be plain and simple. If you want to be a receptionist here, HAVE PIOR EXPERIENCE. I had no experience and started there as a receptionist 2 months ago. At first they are somewhat nice and teach you, but if you keep asking questions they will look at you as if you’re stupid. Because I didn’t understand things too well, I would always get attitude, dirty looks, and overall just didn’t seem like I was liked at all. Maybe someone else might have a better experience because they might like them better, but I definitely know I was treated as the black sheep out of everyone there. DO NOT GO ON YOUR PHONE WHATSOEVER, they are very strict about that. The discounts are good and the paid lunch is good, but overall just know what you’re doing before getting the job. If you don’t know what you’re doing at first, you will get dirty looks, scheduled A LOT LESS, and just treated differently. It’s a great place to go to school as a student though! I couldn’t suggest going there for school more than anything. There are great teachers and amazing learning environments so that you know how to be a great Cosmo or Esthi. 

A typical work day for me :
Start out managing student hours from the day before to be sure they are on track towards graduation. Checking emails and any phone messages as well as answering the emails and returning phone calls. Calling prospective student leads to offer information on classes and scheduling times for them to come and interview and tour for the programs. Conducting the interviews and tours. Helping current students develop their resumes and cover letters for future employment as well as prepare any paper work they need to send in to test at state boards. Working with our marketing group to develop new ways to market new start dates for our programs. 

I work closely with educators and management to ensure that our students are doing successful in their programs. I also work closely with students in a more mentor/counselor role. Working with the students is my favorite part of my role here. I enjoy watching them learn and understand not only the beauty industry but just life lessons in general.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Being able to see the potential of the students. Teaching them how to do hair from the ground up. It’s very fulfilling. I’d prefer the owner sees the students as people, rather than dollar signs. Sadly, instructing the students when equipment is faulty, is difficult. My advice to the owner is to keep the equipment functional and make sure there is enough functional equipment for all to learn at the same time; in the amount of time given by the curriculum. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Faulty equipment and a wage that is not enough to live on. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Not toxic, but at the same time, none of the instructors are really happy there, but still gave 100% every day. Sadly, the owner didn’t appreciate that. No raises given, despite promises at the interview. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
When I’m in the classroom with my students, we get right to work. I’ll address any questions or concerns, spend time on those, then get right to that day’s curriculum.

A typical day at work would be answering phone calls, checking voicemails, running after students for their guest services by giving them tickets, and overall maintaining the appearance of the school from the front. I learned many skills as far as communication abilities with varied guests of all ages and backgrounds and was given a number of responsibilities that weren't initially in my title. My co-workers at the front desk were amazing. I enjoyed each and every one of them extensively and wish them the best on their future journeys. The hardest part of the job was the stress of being unappreciated by the students. We do alot even if it appears that sometimes we just sit on our behinds. But overall, the joy of working there was being in the environment that we could create based solely on our attitudes. I was always an optimist and I brought a smile every day to work to bring out the best in myself and everyone around me.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Working with the students and watching them grow. Their excitement over entering our industry and eagerness to learn was refreshing and contagious.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Everything! To name a few: owners continue to operate the business as they did 20 yrs ago when
they opened. They are not open to trying new ways or changing any of their outdated Policies, they micromanage everything and everyone, never allowing others to make decisions without approval from them, which never comes and nothing changes or improves.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Toxic, extremely negative, tense, stressful, depressing, and feeling mentally abusive at
times.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Administrative work, many meetings and zoom calls, work with students on areas needing improvement.

As the title states, the staff is very enthusiastic about what they do, what their roles are, and who they interact with. Everyone there does a great job within their roles, though the few with a part time employees in administration fail to give support where it is needed. With that being said, the hands off ownership style leads to a lot of issues. One of which is A LOT of miscommunication and what expectations are  for very important tasks, which leads to other problems which leads to more issues which get in the way of day to processes, etc. One REALLY big issue that puts a strain on the team is payroll. Over the past few months, checks have been delayed but a few days but recently almost a month and a half. Not much being done proactively from the owner to prevent these big delays in payroll.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Teaching and encouraging the students as they learn their craft. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Lack of organization.  The number of hats you are expected to wear at a moment’s notice. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Culture is intended to be energetic and upbeat, and for some this is true. Mean girl mentality is rampant. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Busy!  This definitely helps the day pass quickly. When teaching in a classroom days are calmer and slower. When out in the salon area, it is typically nonstop.

I left a position to get back into teaching what i  love the most, however, this new school does not fit in with Beauty Schools I have worked in...Who heard of 9 am to 5pm Monday to Friday for students, No Nights nor Saturdays for students to make up for lost time missed from absence, This schedule sets students up for failure to succeed.  And owing FA losts of $$!!
No Campus Director on site, a borrowed one from another school.
Not enough Staff to begin with, so everyone was stressed to the Max.  Not enough students either. Well, not eveyone can go to school 9 to 5......I do not recommend this school to anyone save your $$ and check out the other schools near you.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Cosmetology instructor 8 salaries reported	$23.56 per hour
Guest service agent 6 salaries reported	$14.67 per hour
Front desk receptionist 1 salary reported	$16.50 per hour
Front desk agent 1 salary reported	$16.50 per hour
Esthetician 2 salaries reported	$21.50 per hour

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