August 2016

We are pleased to feature our graduate and cosmetology educator, Rae Black! She graduated from Aveda Institute Denver in 2011 and just celebrated her one year anniversary as a cosmetology educator for Aveda Institute Phoenix. She has also launched her own business dialing into the world of hair extensions.Q: What has your education provided for you in your career?What I remember most about my school experience is my educators. I was so blessed to have the same ones through my journey and they supported me and helped me come into my own as an extension specialist and stylist. Carrie Bellus, Brad Van Dyke and Dale Le Monds allowed me to practice my extensions on the floor as a students and in class. With all this practice I was able to really perfect my skills, so when I graduated I knew what direction I was going in and I hit the ground running. My education provided me a stable environment and taught me life skills and more communication skills. It taught me to use my creativity and put my guests’ needs first and how to listen. Q: Share how you are building your career.These days I am still flying for Skywest as I have 11 years seniority now. I also teach part time at the Aveda Institute Phoenix under the guidance of Ericka Robinson and Katrina Bervin. I just hit my one year anniversary and I’m really proud of that. I have launched my own hair extensions line called Pink and Black Beauty Collection my Website is www.extensionbeautybyrae.com. My main goal is to grow my hair extension business by getting into local beauty supply stores. I want to distribute hair and be a consultant about extensions for Aveda salons. I host regularly-occurring extensions and braiding workshops at Aveda Institute Denver and at Aveda institute Phoenix. I also make wigs for those that have severe hair loss and I custom color the hair using Aveda hair color.Q: What do you love most about Aveda?The lifestyle. Aveda is about love and beautiful things. We make beautiful hair and make people feel good about themselves.Q: What advice or tips would you share with our current students?I would tell them to hang in there because school flies by fast and you have to take all the information you can from your educators. Whatever you put into your education, you’ll get in the end. When you put in 50 percent, you will be a mediocre hair stylist. When you put in 100 percent, you will hit the ground running.Q: What does Inspire Greatness mean to you? I would like to share how much I appreciate Dale and and Inspire Greatness. I remember during school always going in his office picking his brain about things, especially business. He is a great business man and family man and he cares about his students. I remember we use to make fun of him about his golfing out-fits and socks and he just laughed along with us – it was great. He supported me and believed in me and his still does till this day.You know you’re doing good by your students when they come back to work for you. I also want to thank Brad for his love, mentorship and support. I consider him a real friend. I have talked to him about numerous things and he is always listening and has a solution and suggestions.

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Graduate Spotlight: Rae Black

Day in the Life: Spa Student