Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Whelan.
Amanda, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
After I graduated beauty school in 2004 I started my career as a stylist in a chain salon building my skills and clientele, then after a few years of raw industry experience I moved on to full service salon where I had a great opportunity to learn from senior stylist. I loved it… from there I got married had children and my husband actually suggested since I love taking education classes and hated working weekends and nights away from my family to go back to school to become an educator.. Get a (9-5 Mon-Fri) teaching job…it was perfect…so I did… My first educator position was a part time lead educator at REGENCY beauty school which later lead to full time lead educator. Sadly when they abruptly closed their doors with no notice to students or staff a few years later, I knew in my heart I wouldn’t find another campus and fellow staff members like I had again So instead of starting over at another school, I made a decision to concentrate on my continuing education business full time. ILLINOIS BEAUTY CEU is a continuing education company for salon professionals. IBC was born Oct 2015 and has grown so much the past few years as we continue to build a team of talented professionals with passion to share their skills and knowledge of the industry. Let me back up a bit… I choose to build this company because I am an educator and I love education but as a full time stylist as well behind the chair I wasn’t a huge fan of education with a selling concept I wanted to offer something DIFFERENT & NEW strictly education. No selling. That way any Stylist from any background has an opportunity to explore new skills from all types of salon Pros without feeling intimated by a sales pitch. As of today IBC has 6 independent educators and currently scheduling interviews to add to the team. IBC has given Talented Artists in IL the platform to share their talents as well as offer the state required hours to be given for the class for all attendees.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been smooth I mean I’m still behind the chair 4days a week renting a salon suite. Mom duties. IBC is time consuming. I’m a night owl so that’s when I usually do my research to always to in the loop on new IL LAWS AND RULES for IL SALON PROFESSIONALS. That’s one major thing I take pride in always keep updated on my website. I think the most stressful think is marketing for me as the owner filling the class. Right now classes are hosted in my salon suite it can fit a class of 10 comfortable… but IBCs bigger events (renewal month) in the past have been at larger salons or venues.
Illinois Beauty CEU – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
-At Illinoisbeautyceu I am a jack of all trades. Hiring, Scheduling, Marketing, Setup, cleanup…etc.
-I personally as a stylist/educator specialize in Hair Extentions.
-What IBC is known for is being a strictly education only no strings attached company.
-What I am most proud of is my research on the industries news and always keeping the website updated as soon as I hear of anything. Then sharing in on our social media so ALL stylists can stay aware of change in the industry.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success for me is being able to take annual vacation without financial worries…. It’s that life though, unless you’re Kim K. 🙂
-My markers would be:
*FULL classrooms every class.
*Be financially ok to buy a Store front for IBC for bigger classes and workshops. That I would also work out of with my personal clients on no class days.
A girl can dream right?!
Pricing:
- 2 hour Look and learn start at 65.00
- 4 hour Hands-on start at 150.00
- Online classes start at 120.09
- One on One sessions start 25.00 per hour.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1690 bedford rd
- Website: www.ILBEAUTYCEU.com
- Phone: 847-701-5238
- Email: illinoisbeautyceu@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/illinoisbeautyceu/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/IllinoisBeautyCeu/
- Other: @illinoisbeautyceu
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