She takes home $10,000 and will perform on stage at a Masters of Beauty event with Celebrity Stylist Nick Arrojo.
New York City—April 22, 2012— Kelly Hopkins, the owner of 1213 Hair Studio in Richmond, VA, has won Empire Education Group’s “Become the Next Master of Beauty” competition. Her prize package includes $10,000 cash plus the opportunity to perform on stage with Celebrity Stylist Nick Arrojo and his Master Educators at a select Tour of Beauty educational event this year. Empire’s award-winning Masters of Beauty Skills Certification Program, featuring hands-on training with Arrojo and his team, has been touring the country since 2010. Hopkins was named by Arrojo and Empire Education Group’s Chairman Frank Schoeneman on the main stage at the International Beauty Show in New York City.
Capturing second place was Camille Plourde, a stylist at Hair in Milford, CT. Taking third place was Lea Graves, a stylist at Essentials Day Spa in Vancouver, WA. They take home cash prizes and complimentary tickets for Masters of Beauty Skill Classes and Beauty Systems Group educational events.
Says Hopkins, “What an experience! I am thrilled to continue my education with Empire and Arrojo, and look forward to presenting with Nick and the Masters of Beauty Team later this year!”
Adds Arrojo: “Picking the winner was difficult. All three finalists are phenomenal stylists with amazing creativity and skill. I am thrilled Kelly will be joining us on stage at a Masters of Beauty Tour. She has the experience and the personality needed to inspire other stylists, and that is exactly what she will do on stage with us at Masters of Beauty.”
States Schoeneman, “What an amazing opportunity for Kelly. Not only are we thrilled she is going to present with Nick at our Masters of Beauty Tour, but we are excited to help her grow her career through education. It’s what this contest was all about—elevating the industry and the stylists, like Kelly, who make cosmetology such a meaningful and rewarding career.”
Finalists for the “Master Apprentice” Competition are the following Empire graduates, who entered as students: Sasha Brown, who attended Empire Beauty School in Boston; Kristie McGunnigle, who graduated from the Williamsport, PA, campus; and Maritza Velazquez, who currently attends Empire Beauty School in Phoenix. The winner, who will be announced at Empire’s Annual Future Professionals Expo on May 21 in Hershey, PA, will land her dream job as an apprentice with Arrojo at his world-famous Arrojo Studio in New York City.
More than 300 stylists entered the competition by uploading photos of their work onto the contest’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/mastersofbeauty. The public voted, and then combined with input from Nick and his team, quarter-finalists were chosen and asked to upload 2-3 minute videos highlighting them and their work inspired by the Masters of Beauty program. From 10 semi-finalists, the three finalists traveled to New York City to vie for the coveted title.
A complete list of prizes and contest rules can be found at facebook.com/mastersofbeauty.
Find a complete schedule of 2012 tour dates and skill classes at mastersofbeauty.com