I have jumped from career choice to career choice. I have considered every option, researched every contender, and even written a paper or two on my choices. I have gone from wanting to involve myself in theater to music to meteorology to broadcasting journalism to law to cosmetology to...you get the point. I considered everything. Why not theater/music? Because it's hard to have a family when you're so dedicated to something that time consuming. Is say about 75% of actresses aren't married. That's not a proven statistic, but that's my guess. Why not meteorology? Because most meteorologists have a degree in physics and I suck at math. I've carefully reviewed these choices and made a decision that's not just about myself, but the people around me and how my career will affect them; not just people I have now like my parents, siblings, and husband, but the people that will come into my life later on...my children. The picture below is a picture of me at a Future Business Leaders of America Conference (I was president of my chapter...*hair flip*) in Des Moines where I was digging and searching and talking to every entrepreneur and business owner I possibly could about career choice.
Yes, it's true. I chose cosmetology. Yes, it's also true that most Cosmetologists who have the opportunity to attend school full time finish in about 10 months. But I'm tired of hearing about it, "Haha, Bron, cosmetology isn't really school." Like heck it's not. It's $18,000 worth of Monday to Friday 9-5 school. It IS school.
"But, Bron, you just play with people's hair all day. That's not a career, it's a hobby." That is not the full job description. I will also have clients that sit in my chair with lice and don't know it. I will also have a client that doesn't really know what "strawberry blonde" is and is upset when they get it. I will also have clients with black hair that are pissed when they don't leave my chair blonde. It's not all peachy. There's a reason you sit in a chair while someone else "plays with your hair." Why, you ask? What's reason, you ask? Because you don't know how to do it yourself...because you didn't pay $18,000 to go to school for it. If you are the person that thinks cosmetology school is super easy and super fun and anyone can do it then why is it that you're not cutting your own hair at home? Because you don't want to leave for work looking like Joe Dirt and Miley Cyrus' love child. (No offense to Miles, she rocks that 'do. But I'm not sure it'd look so hot as half mullet.)
Don't tell me I'm taking the easy way out just because my schooling is only 10 months. Instead be jealous that while you're writing papers and hovering over your desk, I'll be starting my career in less than a year. I can respect everyone that goes to school for anywhere from 2-10+ years for their careers, so you can respect me for learning to be the person that makes sure you're looking presentable for that interview. I don't want my career to be easy. I don't want it to be challenge-less. I want to succeed through trial and I want to have certain days when I say, "Holy crap. Did that day really just happen?" Because if I don't, I wouldn't learn anything. I don't want to be your average cosmetologist. I don't want to be referred to as the beauty school drop out. I want to be respected for being a working woman that is striving to be an entrepreneur. I want to be respected for being able to do something that most people just don't have the ability to do. I want my parents to know that they didn't waste 5 years of college preparatory program on a daughter going to "beauty school." It's so much more than that, because to us, it's not just our career. It's our happiness, our hobby, our calling, AND our career bundled into one.
The fact that people come to me saying, "Bron, I'm getting married! Can you do my hair?" "Bron, I'm going to prom!" "Bron, I want to go red!" makes me feel SO excited and that's what a career should be; not just a paycheck. Here are a few examples of the work I've done. I'm not saying it's perfect because I haven't had training yet, but until you can replicate it yourself, don't tell me I'm taking the easy way out.
Alicia wanted highlights and a little pink in there.
Olivia wanted a different version of your traditional up do.
And I wanted to be different when everyone was doing blonde ombré.
This isn't where it ends. This is where it starts. I just can't wait to see where it all takes me.
W/<3,
Bron
I am SOOO excited to see what you do with your career choice. BTW, one of the people that works with Miley graduated from Paul Mitchell The School a year ago. She has also worked with Jennifer Lopez. Yet another 2012 Grad worked on the movie set of "Hunger Games Catching Fire". It's a very serious career!!! You will have the opportunity to attend an event in Las Vegas where you will train with the biggest name in our industry, and high end salon owners come to look at Paul Mitchell Students resumes, and hire new talent all over the country. I want to be among the first to congratulate you on your choice to be a cosmetologist, and also to be accepted into Paul Mitchell The School Springfield! : )
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