Vanessa Black: Regis’s Unleash the Beauty of Potential Scholarship
We are thrilled to announce that Vanessa Black, a graduate of Empire Beauty School in Cincinnati, OH, has been awarded the Regis Unleash the Beauty of Potential Scholarship. Black graduated in May 2024 and has already demonstrated exceptional skill and passion in her field, earning her a $5,000 scholarship.
“The relief of the financial strain is unbelievable. I am so grateful, I can’t believe it. I have never won anything like this before. When I was told the news, I felt immediate relief because I paid for school by myself. It did not matter to me if I won $500 or $5,000, any assistance would make a huge difference for me. It is a huge blessing.” said Vanessa Black.
Jamie Suarez, Senior Vice President of Merchandising and Education at Regis Corporation, extends his congratulations:
“We at Regis are excited to announce that Vanessa Black has been selected to receive the Regis Unleash the Beauty of Potential scholarship. Vanessa’s outstanding talent and dedication have earned her this well-deserved recognition. We at Regis are proud of Vanessa’s achievements and wish her a very successful career in Cosmetology!”
Black shares her heartfelt motivation for entering the beauty industry, highlighting her passion for transforming lives.
“One of the things that drove me to pursue this career is giving people a confidence boost. I’ve done hair for people of all ages. I’ve done a little girl’s hair who was being bullied at school for her hair. I saw the smile on her face once she felt good about herself. People on the outside think it is a minor thing, it’s just hair. But for that little girl, it is a big deal. To be the one that does that for someone is huge for me. I love educating my clients on my process and how to maintain their hair.”
If you’re passionate about an industry, don’t let opinions from outside sources hold you back. Learn from Black about how external perceptions initially deterred her from entering the beauty industry.
“Cosmetology has always been an interest of mine, ever since I was small. I would always do my dolls’ hair. I would play with my friends’ hair, my mom’s hair, and anyone sitting still long enough. I was delayed starting my beauty career because many people told me not to. I listened to the outside voices instead of what I wanted to do. I went to college as a paralegal major. As I was studying for the bar exam, I said to myself this is not what I want to do, why am I doing this? Finally, I looked into Empire Beauty School. I needed something that would allow me to work full-time along with school. Empire offered an evening program, which made my childhood dream come true. It happened way later than I originally planned, but I was finally able to do what I wanted to do. When I took the leap, my family was right behind me, supporting me. It has been a long time coming.”
Black advises students to enter Empire Beauty School with an open mind and readiness to learn.
“When I got to beauty school I knew what I wanted to accomplish. Being in school for nearly two years part-time, while working full-time, is long enough. I didn’t want to delay my graduation by fooling around in class. I had to focus on my studies and keep my goal in mind. Once you get to school, soak it all up and take advantage of it. There is so much experience within those walls. There are no points in your career where you can stop learning. Always be ready to learn, and never be too proud to think you can’t ask questions or improve. Sometimes the piece of advice seems so minor, but it makes a huge difference. You are surrounded by so much knowledge and skills, don’t waste your time here by thinking you know everything,” Black said.
If you’re thinking about starting your journey, Black offers encouragement to go for it. If you enroll with us, we will be your support system, guiding and assisting you throughout your entire journey.
“Go for it. Everyone in the world is going to have their own opinion of what you should do, where you should go to school, and what to do with your life. At the end of the day, you are the only person who has to live your life. You can have a job making more money than you could dream of but be miserable. Go after what you love.”
We understand that many students also have additional responsibilities while in school. Black shares her advice for persevering through the challenging days.
“Once I started, I knew I wanted to finish on time and have good grades. It has been a struggle. There were days when I was exhausted, but it was worth it. There will be days you don’t want to go to school but tell yourself to get there and get your hours. Get what you need done. Otherwise, you will be in school longer than you should have been. Once you get to school, it is better because it’s what you love to do. Don’t quit when it’s tough because if you are passionate about it then it will be worth it.”
Now with beauty school finished, her plans include passing her State Board exams and then starting her career with JCPenny.
“Luckily, I already have a job lined up for me as well. I went to JCPenny to check out their salon on my own, and they started talking to me about working there. I’ve gone through the interview process, and now all I need to do is pass my exam. Everything has been falling into place. I feel so blessed. I’m excited to grow my clientele at JCPenny and advance my skill set there.”
This achievement is a testament to Vanessa’s hard work, commitment, and the bright future that lies ahead in the beauty industry. Join us in congratulating Vanessa on this well-deserved honor!
For more information about Empire Beauty School, or how to enroll visit https://bit.ly/LearnMoreAtEmpire