NABA - Jessie Woodward Portfolio

"Three days after graduation, I started in a Color Salon and Spa."

At age nineteen, when I decided college wasn't for me, I toured and looked into National Academy of Beauty Arts. I was impressed by the facility as well as the instructors and management. When I started in June of 97, I was excited, I was ready.

I moved from Ste. Genevieve a small town forty miles away, to a close by apartment the staff helped me find. I graduated in August of 98. Yes it was hard, but really fun, I was learning a lot.

Three days after graduation I started in a Color Salon and Spa. My career had started and I was in the real world, scary, but very realistic. I worked hard on the retail floor with customers, these customers turned into my clients. A year and a half later I was booked, no time for walk-ins, only referrals by appointment, at that mark. I took extensive tests in chemistry and presentation at the Goldwell Academy in Baltimore. I passed and became a National Educator for Goldwell and the Salon.

I became interested in the curly girl look – my hair is curly. It’s a completely new way to cut and style curly hair. Lorrain Massey, founder of the Deveshon Salon in New York came to St. Louis on tour. And I was fortunate to study under her and become a certified Curley Girl specialist, wow it’s exciting.

For the past two years I have been at Clairs of Clayton, One of St. Louis’ finest salons. I love my clients and they love me. It’s not really like a job, I love what I am doing. I make them feel good and look good. They are my friends, it’s very rewarding.

Every year you can increase your income. Two years into my career I bought a new car and then my first home.

I have friends who two years after graduating from National Academy were earning 40 to 50 thousand dollars a year and after four years some are making 70 thousand dollars a year. After you're really established you can make more than 100 thousand dollars a year. Not bad...that’ hot! People once looked down on our profession, not anymore.

Last year I started a side business with two make up artists doing bridal preparations in people’s homes. They love it, we come to them.

You never stop learning after you graduate. I attend at least ten to twelve classes a year, you have to, your clients are ready for you to get back with new techniques and ideas. They trust you and are ready for change! All you need is personality, patience, dedication, the drive and of course the talent!

National Academy of Beauty Arts is where I started, and look at me now!