From cosmetology schools to Celeb Stylin '

What do you get when you add cosmetology school training, business skills, and true love? For Joe and Shaun Settle, their marriage in 1988 not only confirmed their commitment to each other, but brought together all of their entrepreneurial and creative insights - the perfect marriage to open and operate a thriving beauty salon that features famous clients, including John Mayer!

In 1992, they decided to combine Joe's marketing and management background and Shaun's experience in hair design and cosmetology training, and open a luxury salon in Avon, Indiana, an Indianapolis suburb called Avant Gard.

A year later, in 2004, they would advance the industry again, opening the "Indiana Premier Academy of Cosmetology" in 2004, attracting those who are serious about being the best of the best. After 13 years of staff training, Joe and Shaun felt that education in cosmetology schools lacked the ability to produce higher-level, classroom-ready students. "We felt we had to retrain graduates of cosmetology schools before we could bring them up to the classroom level of training." And so his academy was born.

Of course, when considering cosmetology schools, you may want to find one in your area. Joe's advice when researching cosmetology schools? "Prospective students should look for a school that offers a broad-based education," he says. "Make sure your school offers educators with successful backgrounds that should include: classroom property, classroom principals, or classroom team educators."

Another tip from the stylist couple: Cosmetology schools are the foundation of this industry, yet their education should never stop. "We encourage young designers to travel abroad and study after school," says Joe. "You can think of this as getting your master's degree."

Once he completes training at cosmetology schools, he assures Joe, the career possibilities are endless. A degree in cosmetology paves the way for salon ownership, salon management, makeup artist, skincare specialist, nail technician, spa director, colorist, hair designer, Employment with a manufacturer or even the cruise stylist, just to name a few. And, says Joe, "Your income is only dictated by your hard work and your desire to be the best." It is not unusual for a top stylist to earn more than $ 100,000 and more.

From Cosmetology school to Celeb Stylin '

How cool would it be to be John Mayer's stylist? Joe knows this first hand. "Working with John was very relaxing. He makes you feel very comfortable. I must say, he is without a doubt the strongest celebrity I have had the honor of working with," says Joe.

Of course, not everything is glamor and glamor when you wear stars. "Celebrities have very tight schedules, so to be a celebrity stylist you have to make your schedule very flexible," says Joe. "There have been many times that we have been asked to come to a place at a certain time only to discover that we had been returned for an interview, or some other demand placed on the star."

The long road to cosmetology schools

Although Joe says he knew he had a talent for hair, he hadn't considered cosmetology schools after high school, but decided to attend a four-year school and study business. Those skills would later help me run the salon, he says, but I knew that eventually I would have to learn the trade of cosmetology. "It wasn't until I met Shaun that I realized that I should go to cosmetology school and continue my education. From that moment on, my life took a drastic detour and the excitement has not stopped yet."