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29 Apr We’re Part of the Aveda North America Artistic Team!

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At Inspire Greatness Aveda Institutes, our team is constantly setting the bar for excellence. Brad Van Dyke (Director of Education) and Anne Skubis (Tucson Institute Director) have recently become directors on the Aveda North America Artistic Team. This team is responsible for advancing Aveda beauty education by developing programs specific to the North American continent.

Brad Van Dyke: Spa

With a background in exercise science and psychology, Brad has always been interested in total mind and body wellness. After working with other brands at the beginning of his career, he decided he wanted to work with Aveda in 2000 because of our dedication to holistic wellness. He started working in one of our spas and came to the institutes in 2005, eventually becoming director of education over all four Inspire Greatness Aveda campuses.

Brad Van Dyke with an Aveda product.

In his new role on the North America Artistic Team, Brad wants to show consumers how incredible Aveda spa treatments and products really are. He’s looking at what is happening in the spa world, what spa social accounts are doing well, and what best practices the Aveda brand can adopt. “My biggest vision [for this team] is to develop individuals who can be the future voice and cheerleaders of Aveda spa,” he says. “We will still have our global team but it’s great to have a North American focus… I’m excited for the team to showcase what Aveda spa is all about.”

Brad Van Dyke, now a member of the Aveda North America Artistic team.

During his 19 years with Aveda, Brad has seen what incredible opportunities are possible in the beauty industry when you’re willing to work hard. “As much as I wish people could have overnight success, there’s a beautiful, long career to be had in the beauty industry if you’re willing to put in the work, time, and hustle,” he says. “You need to be a cheerleader for the brand and the industry so you can educate the consumer.”

Anne Skubis: Makeup

Anne is a graduate of our esthiology program at Aveda Inspire Greatness. She found beauty as a refuge during some of her most challenging years and enrolled in our school after seeing a commercial on TV. She’s been with us since graduating about 11 years ago, working as marketing director, director of the Tucson campus, and now a director on the North America Artistic Team.

As a director for the North America team, Anne wants to bring more awareness to Aveda’s makeup line. “Aveda makeup is the best!” she says. “We’ve had makeup for guests for several years. I want to get the artist network to fall in love with it as much as I have.” In addition to using these products in our salons and spas, Aveda’s makeup team has gotten to work with models at events like the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) and Aveda Congress, as well as New York and London Fashion Weeks.

Anne Skubis, now a member of the Aveda North America Artistic team.

Just like all Aveda products, our makeup represents the brand’s dedication to holistic wellness and the environment. With Aveda makeup, consumers can feel good about the products they’re putting on their face. They’re not just beautiful, they’re sustainable. “We’re caring for the models, guests, and ourselves by using a product that’s good for our bodies,” Anne says. “[And] we’re caring for the world by sourcing ingredients responsibly and in ways that support communities.”
Anne Skubis and Allison Olean.

Allison Olean: Spa and Skin Care

Allison (Alli) is the admissions team lead at Aveda Institute Provo. After graduating from the esthiology program at our Denver campus in 2015, she went on to work in admissions at the school while also working in a local Aveda spa/salon. After relocating to Provo, she was able to focus completely on admissions. As part of the North America team, Alli will educate people about Aveda’s spa and skin care treatments, products, and programs. “I think I was chosen for the team because I have a unique perspective!” she says. “I’m an Aveda graduate, someone who has experience in both a treatment room and an institute, and I currently serve as an Aveda ambassador. I currently have (and have had) many roles in my career and I feel like I can bring a lot of insight to the team!”

Allison Olean in front of the Aveda sign.

With an intense passion for beauty and broad knowledge of the Aveda products and curriculum, we know Alli will be an excellent asset to the artistic team! “I am absolutely obsessed with both the products and treatments,” Alli says. “I am excited to share why I love them with North America. There isn’t a lot of education or awareness around spa, my goal is to educate, encourage, and inspire.”

Allison Olean and Brad Van Dyke.

Get Inspired With Us

Do you want to be part of a brand that’s dedicated to sustainability, innovation, and creativity? Apply to one of the Inspire Greatness Aveda Institutes! You could follow your goals in beauty while learning from talented professionals like Anne and Brad. Contact us today for program information!

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Shot of Big Ben, a double decker bus, and the Houses of Parliament in London.

29 Apr The Inspire Greatness Team at London Fashion Week

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For the past few years, our staff and students have had the incredible opportunity to participate in Fashion Week. Designers and stylists across the globe want to work with Aveda because of our professionalism, quality products, and dedication to sustainability. This year, we traveled across the pond to London for Spring Fashion Week, which happened from February 14th-19th, 2019.

“Aveda has been sending artists to fashion week for many years,” says Sherrie Adduci, Digital Brand Director of Inspire Greatness Aveda Institute Tucson. “Our schools started participating about five years ago. We allow students to send a video application to us to be a part of the experience. Dozens apply from each campus.” The chosen students will then take online classes to prepare for fashion week. They learn everything they need to know about creating the looks and getting the right vibe.

Our team at London Fashion Week.

The Designers

For this fashion week, our students got to work on shows for Roberta Einer, Roksanda, and Ashley Williams London. The looks for all of these lines were natural and undone rather than intense and glamorous.

Models at London Fashion Week.

Roberta Einer

With a focus on textiles and classic techniques, Roberta Einer designs playful, experimental clothing. The pieces feature are highly detailed with hand-sewn embroidery and embellishments, creating a couture look you won’t see elsewhere.

Roksanda

Roskanda’s cocktail dresses pack a punch. Not only are they vividly colored, but they also have unique silhouettes and interesting textures. This line is feminine, modern, and focused on the strength of women.

Ashley Williams London

This contemporary, quirky line is known for its logos and graphic pop style. With humorous slogans, recognizable images, and vintage shapes, this brand embodies the youthful, fun side of London.

The Fashion Week Experience

About 20 Inspire Greatness students attended Fashion Week with two chaperones, one for hair and one for makeup. Brad Van Dyke, Aveda Director Education and Director of Spa on the North America Team, oversaw the whole event. Sherrie was the students’ chaperone for makeup. She was there to serve as a guide and resource, as well as step in to do makeup when needed. “It was my first time there. It’s a little bit scary and nerve-wracking, but it’s an adrenaline rush,” she says. “You get to do what you love. It goes by quickly and then you wish it wasn’t over.”

Aveda team backstage at Fashion Week.

This opportunity was a great chance for our students and staff to meet and work with designers, models, and stylists that they’ve admired on social media for years. “People wanted to work with the Aveda brand because of our beliefs [and commitment] to the environment,” Sherrie says. “They had high expectations for our students because every Aveda student they’d had before was professional.”

Aveda Opens Doors

These are the kinds of experiences you can be a part of as an Inspire Greatness Aveda Institute student. Aveda is respected across the globe for its quality and ethos. That means our students have access to a wide variety of educational resources and training opportunities. If you want a chance to be part of Fashion Week or another exciting event, contact us today. We’d love to answer any of your questions about applying to one of our programs!

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Catwalk for water event

10 Apr Earth Month at Aveda Inspire Greatness

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What if water coming from the faucet, shower, or hose was not guaranteed? Imagine you had to walk three miles to a well and three miles back to get the water you need to cook, clean, and drink. Most of us have been fortunate enough to have clean water accessible to us. However, many people around the world are not so lucky.

Taking care of the Earth is one of the core values that make Aveda different. In honor of Earth Day, Aveda has set aside an entire month to love, celebrate, and raise funds to protect the Earth and its people. We are especially focusing on Earth’s water.

The Aveda network has raised $60 million for Earth Month since its inception. Because of this, 1.2 million lives have been impacted in more than 90 countries! Aveda has helped with projects that tackle challenges like toxic pollution and lack of safe drinking water. They also protect 920 watersheds like lakes, wetlands, and rivers and address climate change issues in over 1,300 communities.

Since we began our own Earth Month efforts, the Inspire Greatness network has contributed $710,646. These numbers show that Aveda can have a big impact on helping the environment. Sometimes it can feel like there’s nothing you can do to make an impact, but when we all come together change is possible.

Global Water Crisis

At Aveda, we recognize that while water is essential to life, many people in the world do not have access to clean water. In fact, 663 million people live without clean water. That’s nearly 1 in 10 people worldwide or twice the population of the United States without access to life’s most basic human need.

The majority of those people live in isolated rural areas and spend hours every day walking to collect water for their family. Not only does walking for water keep kids out of school and take up time that parents could be working and earning money but the water often carries diseases that make these families sick.

When a community gets access to clean water, it can change just about everything. It can improve health, increase access to food, grow local economies, and help kids spend more time in school. The water crisis is huge, but it is solvable. We work with local experts and community members to find the best sustainable solution in each place where we work, whether it’s a well, a piped system, a BioSand Filter, or a system for harvesting rainwater. Our partners also coordinate sanitation, hygiene training, and establish a local Water Committee to help keep clean water flowing for years to come.

Aveda Inspire Greatness Initiatives


Catwalk for water event

Charity: Water

Purchasing the limited edition Shampure Hand and Body Wash benefits clean water projects around the world through charity: water. Charity: water is a non-profit organization that provides drinking water to people in developing countries.

100% of sales of the hand and body wash go towards charity efforts. You can feel great that 100% of the purchase price goes directly to the organization. One bottle equals one person given clean water.

Catwalk for Water

Each Inspire Greatness Aveda campus will be having a Catwalk for Water fashion show event. This is a yearly tradition and has been a fun event for students, staff, and alumni in the past.

This year, our Denver campus’s event was on March 31st, Phoenix’s fashion show will be the 26th, Provo’s the 27th, and Tucson’s May 4th.

Appointments for Clean Water

1 bottle equals clean water for 1 person

In 2013, we helped the Aveda network set a Guinness World Record for fund-raising through haircutting during the 24 hour Global Cut-a-thon. We will participate with our global network again this year, donating 100% of our net service revenue the day of the Cut-a-thon. Provo’s Appointments for Clean Water day is April 11th, Tucson’s is April 17th, Phoenix’s is April 24th, and Denver’s is April 29th.

“What I love most about this event is that it is mostly business as usual! With a strong focus in Reservations, Education, and Experience Center on booking and maximized productivity, this day is sure to be a success,” said Sherrie Adduci, who is helping put on Earth month events at the Tucson campus.

Get Involved

If you’re passionate about taking care of the Earth and helping others, becoming a student at Aveda Institute could be the right path for you. Please get in touch with us to learn more about the opportunities an Aveda education could bring you.

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Vintage-Edgy-Pink-Hairstyles

02 Mar 2019 NAHA Student Hairstylist of the Year: McKell Hird

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McKell Hird, a cosmetology student at Aveda Institute Provo, won Student Hairstylist of the Year at the 2019 North American Hairstyling Awards this January. As we celebrate her big win, she explains more about her story and the inspiration behind her designs.

2019 NAHA Winner McKell Hird

Getting Started in Beauty

While McKell has always been interested in beauty, she only recently started on the path to becoming a cosmetologist. Her parents wanted her to try traditional college, so she spent a semester at college in Idaho. Her time in Idaho helped her realize it was not the place for her. It solidified her desire to go to cosmetology school.

Why Aveda?

Because she still wanted to be part of college life, McKell chose to go to cosmetology school in Provo, which is home to two universities and is known for being a college town.

“I toured a lot of schools in Provo, but Aveda was just so different,” she says. “I loved the feel of the school. It’s about more than just doing hair. I really liked the mission statement and beliefs of Aveda.”

Now that she is finishing up school, she is glad she chose Aveda Institute.

“Choosing to come to Aveda Institute Provo was the BEST decision I’ve ever made. I chose Aveda because they are more than just a beauty brand. Aveda is a network of inspired people with global goals of greatness. I never would have had so many amazing opportunities with any other school!” she said.

Journey to NAHA

NAHA Aveda Team

On McKell’s fifth day of school last spring, her instructor Heggy Gonzalez pitched NAHA to the students. She told them about the competition and showed pictures of past finalists.

“I looked at all of the pictures of the hair and said ‘this is something that I want to do. I’ve only been in school for five days but I’ll still try,’” McKell says.

A few weeks after submitting her video application she found out she was selected to be Aveda Provo’s rep for NAHA. Then just a short time later, in August, she created her collection to enter the competition.

Inspiration Behind the Designs

Vintage-Edgy-Pink-Hairstyles

McKell was in the middle of watching a movie about Marie Antoinette when she got the email saying she was selected as her school’s rep for NAHA. With Marie Antoinette as her inspiration, McKell wanted to make her collection based on female empowerment.

“With my collection ‘Let Them Eat Cake’ I wanted it to be more than just pretty hair. I wanted the images to tell a story that I believe in, feminine empowerment. I wanted it to be soft and girly with an overabundance of pink, lace, and pastels. But, fierce with the models’ stance and facial expressions. While women can be frilly and refined, they are also bold and powerful. Womanhood is a strength, not a weakness,” she explains.

The Awards Event

McKell describes the actual NAHA event where she received her award as a surreal experience.

“The first time I heard of NAHA was when I submitted the video to create a collection. I didn’t understand how huge it was going to be,” she says.

NAHA is one of the largest hair awards events, and McKell enjoyed meeting Aveda leaders from around the world.

“Everybody was so nice, they were immediately like family. Aveda is more than a brand, it is a family,” she says.

Future Goals and Plans

McKell with winning design

McKell graduates this April. She isn’t sure exactly where she will go yet, but she knows she wants to stay with Aveda.

“There’s honestly nowhere else I’d rather be,” she says.

When McKell started cosmetology school she had no idea she would earn the awards she’s earned so far. She wants other students to know they can achieve their dreams too.

“Go with your gut and never think your dreams are too big,” she says. “It’s easy as a student to think there’s a lot you can’t do, but just go for everything. When we were making my collection things didn’t go perfectly at all, but we worked through it. Everything will work out in the end if you are passionate and work hard.”

Interested in Cosmetology School?

If you have a creative passion and big dreams, cosmetology school could be the right fit for you. Get in touch with us to learn more about the opportunities available to you at Aveda Institute Provo, Denver, Phoenix, or Tucson.

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Pueblo-Hotel-Aveda-Tucson

01 Mar Aveda Tucson’s Big Move

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Our Aveda Institute Tucson location is excited to announce their move to a new location! The school and salon open on Tuesday, February 26th at the new campus, which is located at 145 S. 6th Ave in downtown Tucson.

Pueblo-Hotel-Aveda-Tucson

Why Are We Moving?

Over the last few years we have been growing and we are out of space! Our new location has twice the square footage as the old campus so our students and guests are comfortable.

The new campus will have a second story dedicated for the spa. This is exciting because in the past we have only had space for an evening esthetics program and a day cosmetology program. This new space will allow us to begin an evening cosmetology program and a daytime esthetics program later in the spring.

Salon and spa services will stay the same, but you will be able to schedule services at more times throughout the day and evening once the new program schedules begin.

Our New Location

We’re moving into the old Pueblo Hotel building, which is a historic Tucson icon. You may recognize it by its neon sign of a girl diving. It’s only about three miles away from our old Maingate Square location.

If you are traveling to the school or salon, there are downtown city parking garages nearby or metered parking on the street. You can refill the meters from an app on your phone. There is also a streetcar stop conveniently located near our building.

Beauty School in Tucson

Tucson’s lively and historic downtown is the place to be for beauty school. The neighborhood is filled with parks, museums, galleries, and trendy restaurants. With the University of Arizona, Tucson also has a fun and energetic college town vibe. There are many opportunities to make friends at school and then enjoy what Tucson has to offer when you finish class each day.

Come Visit Us

We want our guests to come see the new location, so until April 1 we are offering a 30% off discount on services booked at the new location.

If you are interested in learning more about our additional program schedules starting soon, please contact us!

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Clean and modern salon

31 Jan How to Become a Cosmetologist in Phoenix, AZ

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Cosmetology is an exciting field and growing fast. It’s no surprise that many people are considering a career in cosmetology. For someone with a passion for artistry, improving people’s lives, and building relationships, cosmetology is a great choice! You do not need many years of training to become a cosmetologist in Arizona. In fact, you can finish training in as little as a year. Here’s our roadmap of how you can get from where you’re at right now to becoming a cosmetologist.

Clean and modern salon

Basic Requirements

Before enrolling in cosmetology school, you have to fulfill a few standard requirements. These include:

  • A high school diploma or GED is usually required
  • Government-issued ID
  • Filling out a student application


Enrolling in Cosmetology School

Researching cosmetology schools is an exciting and essential part of the process to becoming a cosmetologist. While you are looking at different schools, there are a few important factors to consider:

  • Is the school accredited, and does it have a good reputation?
  • What financial aid options are available?
  • Does the school teach the courses you are interested in?

Choosing an accredited school is important for various reasons, including the validity of your degree, rigorous coursework, high licensing exam pass rates, and job placement. Choosing to go to a school with a good reputation matters because employers will see your school’s name and recognize you have been trained well. Attending a reputable school gives employers a reason to trust your skills and helps you achieve your dream job more easily.

Accredited schools also have financial aid options, whether federal government student aid or school-based aid and scholarships. Accredited cosmetology schools will have someone available to help you learn more about what financial aid is available.

Hair supply flatlay

Cosmetology Programs

When you’re looking at different schools, it’s important to make sure the school includes courses and programs you are interested in. Cosmetology schools often include esthetics programs or other supplementary classes in related areas.

Choosing to get an additional license can be beneficial for your career and job opportunities in the future. You may even be able to get a tuition waiver from the school if you complete multiple programs.

State Licensing Requirements

Each state’s requirements to become a licensed cosmetologist vary slightly. In Arizona, to be licensed you must:

  • Graduate from an accredited cosmetology school with training on important aspects of cosmetology like hair cutting, hair coloring, salon management, makeup, and skincare.
  • Complete 1600 hours of training
  • Pass the state exam, which includes written and practical components

Accredited cosmetology schools train you to sit for the state exam, and they usually have high pass rates for students. Choosing a good school will help you be more prepared for the exam.

Transferring a License from Another State

If you’ve already gotten your license in another state, you can transfer your license through the Arizona Board of Cosmetology’s license-for-license reciprocity program without enrolling in cosmetology school again. This licensing process includes:

    • Submitting an application to the Arizona Board of Cosmetology for a cosmetology, esthetician, or nail technician license
    • Submitting proof of licensure in your home state or country. However, those requirements must be comparable to Arizona’s.
    • Paying required fees


    We Can Help

    If you’re wondering how to become a cosmetologist in Phoenix, we are here to help you! At Aveda Institute Inspire Greatness, we prepare students to sit for the state exam and become trained cosmetologists. Get in touch with us and we can answer your questions about enrolling in cosmetology school, financial aid, the state exam, and more.

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02 Jan What Different Styles Can I Do With Short Hair?

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Whether you’ve recently cut your hair short or you’ve been sporting cropped locks for years, it’s easy to stick to one safe hairstyle. If you’re not sure what different styles you can do with short hair, you’re in luck! There are plenty of styles for you to choose from. Here are a few of our favorites:

  • Pompadour
  • Undercut
  • Waves
  • Half-bun
  • Slicked back

Pompadour

From Marie Antoinette to rock and roll icon Elvis Presley, the pompadour has gone in and out fashion for centuries. A pompadour paired with a short haircut (in the style of contemporary pop stars like Miley Cyrus and Janelle Monae) is a more modern take on the look. It’s a cool, fashionable way to add some red carpet-worthy volume to your hair. A pompadour looks great with dramatic nighttime makeup, but can also be dressed down with softer colors for the daytime.

Undercut

If you want to get even edgier with your ‘do, try out an undercut. This funky yet versatile cut can be worn with a bob, shoulder length hair, or a pixie cut. The top layer is kept long and the hair on the lower half of the head is shaved or buzzed. It’s totally up to you how long or short you want your top layer to be. An undercut can even be combined with the aforementioned pompadour if you really want to do something unique!

Waves

Who says you need long hair to rock the beachy look? The ever-popular beach waves can be worn with shoulder length hair and even bobs! Waves are a timeless look, so if you’re looking for a classic, pretty hairstyle, this is a great option. You can create beachy waves using a curling wand, straightening iron, or just by braiding your hair while it’s wet and sleeping on it. Add some texturizing spray to your waves and you’ve got a beautifully effortless look.

Half-Bun

Got a new lob you’re not sure what to do with? Try out the trendy half-bun style. All it takes is an elastic band or two. Your bun will be a little small, but it’s a cute and practical way to rock an on-trend look. This trend has been seen all over red carpets, Instagram, Pinterest, and magazines and it’s not going away anytime soon!

Slicked Back

Few short hairstyles look more sleek and chic than slicked back hair. Sleek buns and ponytails are great for longer hair, but this is a good way to rock the slick look with short hair. This look works with all hair types and is easy to create with a flat iron, fine tooth comb, texturizing cream, smoothing product, and strong-hold hairspray. Be a little bold and try out this sleek, sophisticated look with your short hair.

Love Hair?

If doing hairstyles like these is something you’re passionate about, consider our cosmetology program at the Aveda Institute! We can teach you the hair cutting, styling, and coloring techniques you need to become a professional stylist. Contact us to learn more!

Learn more about why you should choose Aveda here!

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22 Oct Aveda Congress 2018 Recap

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Every other year, Aveda holds the Aveda Congress, which is a large three-day conference that brings together Aveda professionals from all corners of the globe. It’s an exciting and inspiring time for people to connect, share, and inspire one another over the the course of several days. Some of our own staff had the incredible opportunity of attending, and even a few received some amazing awards. Events like this are just a small part of what make the Aveda network so amazing.

What is the Aveda Congress?

The Aveda Congress is all about bringing the Aveda family back together to celebrate our talents and dreams with one another. The event features speakers, guest artists, performances, and so much more all crammed in the space of a few days. It’s an immersive and exciting experience that gives people the chance to learn, network, and develop themselves. Workshops are held throughout the event as well, which can give people the opportunity to sharpen their skills in anything ranging from hair cut and color to makeup and styling. The Aveda Jam put the cherry on top to make the Aveda Congress the premier beauty event in the country.

Why Aveda Matters

The Aveda network is made up of thousands of people who share a passion for beauty and a love of the earth. We share a common mission to help other people and to protect nature while we’re at it, and that’s why Aveda has such a strong focus on naturally-derived products. Being responsible to the world around us is incredibly important. Aveda Congress is an opportunity to bring that vision together and share the things we each learn on our own spread across the earth. For many people, coming to Aveda Congress feels like coming home!

Inspire Greatness at Aveda Congress

Not only did people from the Inspire Greatness Aveda Institutes attend the Aveda Congress, some of them were even featured and recognized. Heggy Gonzalez, the creative director from our Provo campus, led a segment featuring educators from all over the place, including Gilad Maimon from Tucson. Our owner and founder, Dale Le Monds also received the ONE CARE award from Aveda for his incredible philanthropy and generous giving back to the network. On top of all of that, Anne Skubis, the director of our Tucson campus and an Aveda Purefessional, was inducted into the Aveda Institute hall of fame. It was amazing to see our talented team featured so heavily and celebrated at the Aveda Congress!

Join The Aveda Network

They say that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and Inspire Greatness Aveda Institutes is where you can take your first step. When you join a program at Aveda Institute you can become a part of the Aveda network where you can continue to foster and develop your beauty skills throughout your career. Does that sound like a place you want to be? Reach out to us at one of our campuses located in Denver, Provo, Tucson, or Phoenix to learn more about what you can do as a part of the Aveda network!

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Ali Haller posing with family

05 Sep Alumni Spotlight: Ali Haller

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The graduates of Inspire Greatness Aveda Institutes never cease to amaze us! Ali Haller is no exception. In fact, she is exceptional. She is a NAHA winner and great example of never giving up and pushing yourself beyond your limits. She learned to ask herself, “Why not me?”. She realized her only limitation was herself and that she wasn’t going to get in her own way.

About Ali Haller

Ali is a recent graduate from our Denver campus. Her story is one of tremendous growth and perseverance. She had already experienced a desk job and owned a landscaping business with her boyfriend by the time she started at Aveda Institute Denver. Though she loved the work, she felt that she wanted more of a career, and she was at a turning point in her life. One day, Ali decided to sit down and write out the values she sought in a career. She knew for sure she wanted to help people feel good about themselves and be able to express creativity. Plus, she wanted to be able to self manage her career and work toward what she wanted. At one point she considered becoming a therapist, but this left no room for creativity.

Then she had an “a-ha” moment. Hairstyling! This would give her creativity, freedom, and the ability to help people feel good. She decided to go to cosmetology school, and she started her beauty education from square one. Growing up, Ali was a tomboy. She had never used a blow dryer or makeup, she didn’t know there were different kinds of brushes! Yet she started on her journey toward her dream career.

What Made Ali Choose Aveda Institute?

Ali began her beauty education at a different school. Though she wasn’t happy there, she refused to quit. As fate had it, this school went out of business. This pushed Ali to tour Aveda Institute Denver. During her tour, she noticed many things that she didn’t have available to her at her previous school. It wasn’t just a matter of someone coming in for a haircut, the focus was on giving the guest the Aveda experience. Guests left feeling beautiful and cared for. Ali wanted to join the beauty industry to help people feel good, and she quickly realized that her personal values aligned with Aveda’s values.

Ali standing with Aveda Institute people in front of Aveda sign

She had already completed 500 hours at her previous school that she could have applied to her new education, but Ali didn’t want to opt out of any classes. She was excited for the educational and extracurricular opportunities provided by our school. She didn’t want to miss out on any of them. She made the tough decision to essentially start her hours over. Ali said her experience at her previous school really helped her appreciate the Inspire Greatness Aveda difference. She had never experienced the level of support and extra opportunities before.

In 2017 Ali attended Beacon, a program to help students prepare for their future in the beauty world. Students get the opportunity to learn from industry icons, attend industry events, and connect with other beauty professionals. While Ali was there she was inspired and moved. Listening to award-winning stylist Vivienne Mackinder speak about her experience in the editorial world made Ali realize that she wanted to create artwork with hair as a career. She then got the opportunity to experience the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) in 2017. This dream started her path to the 2018 NAHA.

NAHA Winner

After Beacon, Ali was determined to pursue her dream of editorial hairstyling. She introduced herself to our Director of Education, Brad VanDyke. She offered to buy him coffee and asked his advice on what she should do to pursue her dream. This was just the beginning. Ali knew what she wanted to do and she was going to do whatever it took to get there. She talked to as many educators as she could. The curiosity of, “How do I do this?” is what drove her. She felt that she was in the perfect place to follow her dream. The opportunities provided to her at at our school were so helpful. She began the process of applying to NAHA. The first step was being chosen to represent her school. To her surprise, she was!

Ali and three other students all flew to Utah to do a photo shoot for their entries. This experience was different from anything she had done before. She had a base plan and tried to keep an open mind. Her background in landscape design was her inspiration and after toying around with different techniques, she found one she liked. Tiling different colors in the hair really stood out to Ali, and her hair designs were born.

3 images of models with tiled hair submitted to NAHA 2018

Having to let go and allow her inner creativity to shine was challenging but also very educational for Ali. She learned so much about herself in this experience. She was so excited about her designs, but she recognized that the competition was steep. So she waited to hear.

She was shocked when she received notice that she won!

She hadn’t expected it at all, knowing how good some of the other entries were and what she was up against. It was a huge moment for her and an opportunity she was so grateful for.

Life After Graduation

Ali’s biggest goal after winning NAHA and graduating was to maintain her momentum. She said, “Just because I won doesn’t mean that was the end. It’s just the beginning!” Ali is always looking for opportunities to continue her education, assist on shoots, and soak up all the knowledge she can. Currently, Ali is working at Three Cutters salon, an Aveda concept salon owned by Brad VanDyke. She chose to work here for the comfortable, supportive work atmosphere and the educational opportunities. She will be part of the apprenticeship program there in November, and she’s really looking forward to it.

Advice For Future Students

Ali truly believes in the importance of education. She believes that one can never truly be done learning. There is always more to learn and new ways to improve, especially in an industry that is always changing. Her advice to fellow learners is to not be too hard on yourself. This is something she still tells herself every day. The biggest lesson Ali took away from her experience at school was to always fight self doubt.

So often we, as human beings, have criteria we tell ourselves of what we can or cannot do. It’s not until we change our mindset and get out of our comfort zones that we are able to learn more about ourselves. We should always be pushing our boundaries to learn and grow more.

In school Ali often faced the feeling that she didn’t want to do something. She took this discomfort as a sign that she should give it a try. It was in these difficult and uncomfortable moments that she grew and learned what she was capable of. She encourages learners of all kinds to persevere through the difficult times and believe in themselves to continuously improve and grow.

Know What You’re Made Of

Recently, the Aveda brand has been challenging people to #knowwhatyouremadeof by coming up with three words that describe themselves. We love this idea and have been asking our staff and students to share what they’re made of. So we also asked Ali. Her three words are: grit, dedication, and curiosity. She is always persevering through difficult times, she is dedicated to continuously bettering herself, and she is always looking for new ways to educate herself. What are your three words? Share them with us on social media. Find us on Facebook and Instagram.

Know What We’re Made Of

Ali proves that no matter where you are in life, it’s always possible to analyze where you want to be and make a change. Have you considered getting your education in cosmetology or esthiology? Contact us at one of our locations: Denver, Tucson, Phoenix, Provo. Learn more about how you can make a change in your life and start working toward your dream career!

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student doing models hair

22 Feb How Does Aveda Inspire Greatness Stand Out?

Posted at 19:19h in Aveda Institute Denver, Aveda Institute Phoenix, Aveda Institute Provo, Aveda Institute Tucson, News 0 Comments
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student doing models hair

Aveda is well-known for its products and its accomplished name. Aveda is unique in the way that the foundation of the brand is not built on style or beauty. Rather it is built and centered on love. Aveda was created with the idea that individual beauty is directly linked to the beauty of the world around us. Founded in 1978, Aveda has continued to practice love through education in beauty. After reading a bit about Aveda you will see how it differs from other brands and, in turn, makes us different than other cosmetology schools.

What Makes Inspire Greatness Stand Out?

Aveda was built on the foundation of practicing love. Obviously that’s not the conventional way a beauty, is created. Aveda stands out in more ways than one from other brands. We know that using ecological brands that has a social cause behind it are important to you. It’s important to us as well!

Our Programs

Here at Inspire Greatness, we offer a wide range of programs to excel in. If beauty is your calling, we have the resources for you. If you enjoy teaching then learn from us! We also have programs for those who are interested in spa or massage therapy.

Our diverse programs is filled with passionate people that are eager to learn from the best and to teach the best.

Extra Opportunities

When you decide on Aveda Inspire Greatness, you are deciding on endless possibilities. We want to see our students succeed so we offer a number of resources such as:

  • Modern styling tools
  • Workstations
  • Incredible facilities
  • One-on-one help from professional instructors

Not only do we provide resources for success, we also offer off-campus experiences to those that are accepted. These off-campus experiences are opportunities for growth growth, networking, real-world experience, and personal improvement!

  • New York Fashion Week
  • North American Hairstyling Awards
  • Study Abroad

    • The Power of Products

    Aveda is very well-known for our products. We offer products for every need, from hair and face treatments to makeup. We want to not only help you feel beautiful but to also be sure what you are putting on your body is safe and beneficial.

    Join Aveda Inspire Greatness!

    As you can see, Aveda is not just a beauty brand. We strive to make this beautiful world a better place to live and to show you that the beauty you have is within yourself. If you are interested in the beauty industry, you should consider an education with Aveda Inspire Greatness. Experience the Aveda way today!

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