From Business School to Beauty School

What used to be a business school is now a beauty school.

Trendz Beauty Academy, one the newest business in downtown Easton, is throwing open its doors to the general public this week, setting up shop in the former Churchman Business School. The Churchman school closed in 2004 after nearly a century of operation.

Prior to its official opening next month, Trendz will hold an open house and tours of the cosmetology and barbering facilities today and Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. 

Classes are set to begin on Monday, June 6. Students are signing up for classes in various skills, and classes will be limited to no more than 25 students.

“Trendz is set up like a college,” said Kimberly Kurtz. She and Samantha Cabrera make up the admissions team.

The academy -- at 355 Spring Garden St. -- will prepars students with the training and documentation required to pass the state exam. Six courses of training include that required to become a cosmetologist, barber, nail technician, esthetician, natural hair braider and cosmetology teacher.

“We’re touching lives and coloring the world,” added Kurtz. “Cosmetology and barbering are recession-proof,” she said. “And we’re looking to help people who are looking for a change in careers. It’s an industry where you are always giving back.”

The median income for a cosmetologist in Pennsylvania is $35,000 plus, she explained. Training in cosmetology and barbering takes less than a year here.

Some 1,250 hours of classroom and practical training are required, and students must maintain an 84 grade point average. New Jersey only requires 1200 hours, so graduates can go from Easton to New Jersey, but not vice-versa.

Training as an esthetician, or skin care specialist, takes only 300 hours training—this can result in a limited license that covers spa services. The same amount of classroom is required for natural hair braiding which covers braids, wigs, dreds, hairpieces and others. Training as a nail technician requires 200 hours.

The cosmetology teacher curriculum is more extensive, requiring 500 hours of classroom training.

“The student is learning the basics, as well as learning techniques,” Kurtz explained. “This includes presentation, what’s ethical, how to engage students, and generally how to teach.”

Nicole Gregory is the director at Trendz. Nadine Graham handles administration.
For more information, call the school at 610 252-9000 or visit www.TrendzBeautyAcademy.com. You can also follow Trendz on Facebook.

A grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony is set for Saturday, June 4 at 11 a.m., with tours of the school taking place until 3 p.m., according to the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, which co-hosting the event.