Download the PDF - Stylist and Salon Newspapers

A Look at Diverse Directions a Cosmetology Career Can Take You
You became a cosmetologist for all the right
reasons—a strong artistic attitude, a good work
ethic and the desire to help people look and
feel better about themselves. Working in a salon
fulfills all those aspirations.
Many salon professionals have gone on to
achieve success beyond their wildest dreams,
proving that a cosmetology career can take you
anywhere you want to go. One can see proof of
the possibilities in the careers of six dedicated
hair designers who began their careers with
Pivot Point International, a leader in salon education.
Each recently received an inaugural LEO
Award at America’s Beauty Show in Chicago.
By taking a closer look at the paths they
took to the top of their industry, it’s easy to see
the wide-open road that every cosmetologist
can aspire to throughout their career.
JOSEPH CARTAGENA— The big idea
when you get your license is to work in a hot
salon—a place to grow your personal talent and
sharpen your skills. Joseph began at such a salon
and now co-owns Genacelli Salon and Day Spa
in the hip Lincoln Park area of Chicago.
Because of his own experiences, encouraging
young talent has become a cornerstone for
his highly successful business. Cartagena also
serves as a vice president of the Cosmetologists
Chicago association, and furthers his knack for
mentoring by heading their Artistic Team.
Cartagena credits his education for many
of his personal and professional successes.
“Between excellent educators and the education
itself,” he says, “I was given the foundation
required to be an all-around good hairdresser. It
enabled me to now teach and think as an artist.”
“ I absolutely love my
Salon Vac! It changed
my life in the salon and I
cannot imagine working
in a salon without one
ever again.”
— Renee Shields, San Diego, CA
MARY BETH JANSSEN—Now
dedicated to the organic lifestyle and the author
of five books on beauty and wellness, Mary
Beth Janssen, owner of The Janssen Source,
remained with Pivot Point International for 18
years after graduating from teacher’s training.
She traveled the world as artistic director,
teaching hair and fashion trends on platform, in
print and on video. Then she moved to creative
corporate assignments at ISO, American Crew
and MOP, only to return to her first love, teaching
the next new thing to improve health and
natural wellness, through her books and special
appearances.
“I have always been compelled to share
what I’ve learned with others and I learned a lot
from my students in the process,” said Janssen.
“Teaching gave me a lot of the tools I needed to
start my own business and design other kinds of
curricula, which fascinate me.”
CHRISTINE SCHUSTER — now the
Senior Vice President of Education for Redken
Fifth Avenue NYC/ PureOlogy, Christine’s
beginnings were simple. After graduating cosmetology
school, she went back to her family’s
roots in Holland and served as apprentice and
assistant to Andy Uffels, a top platform artist.
This worldwide training led her to a position in
education at Redken, training stylists on how to
use their products in their everyday salon work.
“My training allowed me to see my work
with hair as an art form,” said Schuster, “and I
approach my work in corporate education with
that same eye to keep it relevant.”
This high-level yet modest executive is
credited with developing The Redken Exchange
in New York and remains the executive producer
of the Redken Symposium, attended by
more than 10,000 hairstylists annually.
ANDRE WALKER — Andre Walker
has only one client today. Her name is Oprah.
That’s enough for this extremely talented hair
designer. More than 20 years ago, after working
as a salon stylist and owner for several years, his
life changed when he was asked to do the hair
of a young talk show host.
Walker now travels with Winfrey at all
times, creating her hair design before every
Oprah Winfrey Show, for celebrity events and
award shows and for “O” magazine shoots.
“The international exposure I got in
cosmetology school meant I was able to dream
of a bigger picture for where I saw myself as a
stylist,” said Walker. “Beyond the beauty school
basics, the value of professionalism is the single
most important thing I learned that brought me
to where I am today.”
DAVID RACCUGLIA— Many of the
best-known salon product companies today
began because a hair designer had an idea for
something that would be better than what
was available at the time. Front and center on
that list of entrepreneurs is David Raccuglia,
founder of both American Crew and Modern
Organic Products.
David credits the international perspective
of his training for encouraging him to
explore the wider world of hairdressing and
eventually the translation into big business. “I
was exposed to hairdressers from all over the
world,” says Raccuglia. “I got a global look at
the hairdressing industry and it inspired me to
become a globetrotter.”
MANUEL RODRIGUEZ—a name
known throughout competitive hairdressing
circles—as a top competitor, trainer and as
literally having written the book, “Architectural
Hair,” on competition. Rodriguez seamlessly
combines his love of art with his passion to
teach as a competition coach and mentor. “A
good cosmetology program shows you that
the best technical cuts come from an artistic
approach. That was my experience and I’ve
looked at hairdressing as an art form ever
since,” says Rodriguez.
The presence of industry honors like the
LEO Awards shines a bright light on the diverse
directions a cosmetology career can take.
Stay true to your training, in tune with your
personal goals and there’s no limit to what you
can accomplish.
14 | SEPTEMBER 2008 | CALIFORNIA STYLIST & SALON