Our Founder – Pivot Point International

Documentary on the life and times of Pivot Point founder, Leo Passage. A journey of alchemy, passion, and inspiration.

The Reviews Are In!

“Anyone thinking about choosing Pivot Point should watch this!”

“One of my teachers in beauty school gave me this DVD. When I saw it for the first time it was like I had found a home. I got such strong feelings and a rush of ideas that I was crazy inspired. This Documentary brought up all the good reasons why in my heart I knew that being part of Pivot Point and Leo Passage’s amazing dream. It was and is the only place I want to be. Leo Passage is a spiritual mentor for me.”

“Leo has done a great service to the hair industry!”

“I loved this documentary. So inspiring and very motivating. Because of Leo’s hard work, I will achieve my goals and dreams.”

“Leo is such an inspiration! I cannot wait to start my career.”

“This was a very compelling documentary! To realize that we are lucky enough to be a part of this industry, Pivot Point alone has an incredible story of how one man created this way of teaching and now people worldwide can share these techniques! It was interesting to find out how this all started and what kind of man he was and where his beginnings came from! Very interesting!! I could go on and on but seriously take the time to watch this!”

“5 stars! I got to meet him in person and he was genuinely humble and very intelligent, so inspirational! He was a genius and is greatly missed.”

“Awesome documentary. I’m so surprised that a man started this but I’m glad he did.”

“An amazing gentleman that has contributed so much knowledge to the industry.  His gentle soul has touched so many across the world, and I am glad to be a part of this journey.”

“Very interesting documentary. What a legacy!”

“What an awesome documentary. He was an innovator, a mentor and a natural artist. I loved how he and his wife took a risk by coming to this country. What a true American dream. He leaves behind inspirations to all fellow hair stylists.”

“I watched this documentary years ago, inspiring me just as much as it did back then. Leo and his family worked day and night doing hair their entire lives and it reminds me of myself. I’ve worked in a salon since I was 15; it’s my home. This industry isn’t just a profession it’s much much more.”

“This movie really moved me and got me into teaching.”

“I could watch this video a thousand times!”

“Leo was beyond talented and inspired so many people. He went to Chicago with $75 in his pocket and a huge dream he wanted to achieve. He had up to 40 clients daily and always worked his butt off. He produced what he intended and had the ability to adapt if needed. He brought a revolution to the industry. It’s amazing the effect on the industry he has had and still to this day. He’s a true inspiration!”

“Wow! I had no idea that Pivot Point had such a rich history. Truly there is a legacy of hairdressers and educators that Leo Passage has made in the beauty industry.”

“I’m so honored and grateful that we had such a great leader, Leo Passage, to pave the way for where our industry is today. Where would the hairdressing world be without Pivot Point?”

“After watching this, it has given me a new outlook on hair design and a new passion for my creativity. Mr. Passage is an inspiration!”

“I love that we got to watch this video in class. His story is very inspirational.”

“I like the fact that the Pivot Point LAB is a product of such a humanitarian as Leo Passage!!!”

“Such an amazing documentary. Leo’s passion was always hair but never could stop at it, in a good way. He pushed his limits by competing and coming to the United States with no money and making his mark in Chicago. He became so successful, but he wanted to do more. He had so much knowledge so after he did everything from traveling the world for competitions to opening his own shop, he stepped back and became a teacher. Knowledge is power and Leo had so much to share with the world.”

“I love how Mr. Passage stayed humble through his journey and created something huge for future cosmetologists.”

“Education has no limits  ~ so true! I enjoyed seeing the story of Leo and his life in the industry. Very inspiring!”

“Leo is such an inspirational staple in the fabric of life itself.”

“The whole Pivot Point family is truly an inspiration to all of us that have chosen this craft as our profession. Thank you!”

“That’s so motivational, just to know he only had $75.00 to get started. To be successful in life, we have to be dedicated. It is never too late to achieve your dreams. It is not just about being a hairstylist; it’s deeper than that. It’s about treating each other with respect and being excellent team players. As I viewed this video, I realized something, Leo was determined and he had a passion for this. We already know that he worked hard to achieve his dreams. Remember the only time “Success” comes before “Work” is in the Dictionary!”

“I am honored to be learning the Pivot Point education and influence. I love the history behind the founder Leo Passage. A very interesting journey!”

“This documentary was more than inspiring. It gives an amazing insight into the passion and drive Leo had and how he shared it with any and everyone desiring to learn.”

“The Leo Passage documentary inspires me to do so much more. He came from Europe to the United States and was able to achieve it all with hope and perseverance as his best friends and that is what we should all practice.”

“What a beautiful story. The Passage family is deeply rooted in beauty culture.”

“That’s a beautiful family story!”

Quotes

“Beauty education has no limits, much like creativity.” ~ Leo Passage

“No experience is ever fully mastered.” ~ Leo Passage

“Knowing ‘HOW’ only results in technical skills. Knowing ‘WHY’ allows you the freedom to create.” ~ Leo Passage

“Give me any sharp object, and I can sculpt your hair. I can create beautiful shapes even with a broken piece of glass.” ~ Leo Passage

“In life, we start here and end there. What we do in between makes a difference.” ~ Leo Passage

“Seek and appreciate the best mentors in your life. Surround yourself with people who have a positive attitude and always believe in you. Dedicate yourself to lifelong learning and make your career a hobby so you have fun doing it.” ~ Leo Passage

“It is important to be inspired by beauty in nature, the arts and the world around us… being inspired by beauty can enrich everyone’s life, both personally and professionally.” ~ Leo Passage

“It all begins in the mind. Whether creating a sculpture, painting or even a company, nothing happens until someone thinks of it. ” ~ Leo Passage

“Never compromise integrity, ethics or doing what is right.” ~ Leo Passage

“Competitions are a platform to express creativity.” ~ Leo Passage

“Education is always in my blood.” ~ Leo Passage

“My own vision for my life’s work—and of the creation of Pivot Point—came when I discovered The Bauhaus, the most celebrated art school of modern times. Its aim, as is ours, was to train craftspeople to elevate their skills to a higher level of artistic creativity. By adapting the Bauhaus philosophy to the craft of cosmetology, Pivot Point provides the educational structure to develop true hair designers.” ~ Leo Passage

“I use the terminology of design and analysis that was proven already in many other areas. Break it down and put everything back together. I was able to share that with my peers, and it made sense.” ~ Leo Passage

“I usually connect our design education to music. How do you learn music? One note at a time. Learn your notes, and create music compositions. Designing hair is similar: learn your components, and you can compose hair designs, no matter how trends change.” ~ Leo Passage

“We knew that our concept was right and that we could bring hairdressing education into something everyone around the world would benefit from.” ~ Leo Passage

“So we’re talking continuous education, lifelong learning for all of us. Our education and how we deliver it continues to evolve.” ~ Leo Passage

“Our goal is to stay at the forefront of educational strategies, hair trends, fashions and techniques on a global basis, and deliver these through the latest technologies and media, such as e-learning.” ~ Leo Passage

“They wish their students realized that hair styling is a matter of sculptural process, of geometrical construction—a matter of mass, weight, and flowing movement—and above all, a matter of balance. In short, they wish to free the student from the fetters of mechanical technique and open up to them those vistas that can only be entered by way of art.” ~ Leo Passage

“What he shared with you, he wanted to share with someone else.” ~ Corrine Passage

“Like many high schools and colleges across the country, we want our students to recognize the importance of community service to their own professional development.” ~ Corrine Passage

“Our moral compass must continually guide decision-making, including our commitment to lead with integrity.” ~ Robert Passage

“The SA8000 certification affords our partners the confidence that our educational hair goods are produced in sanctioned conditions. My father often said, ‘People are at the core of our business.’ Our moral compass must continually guide decision-making, including our commitment to lead with integrity.” ~ Robert Passage

“Most of the major manufacturers in our industry use Pivot Point hair because it showcases their products very well. What’s unique about Pivot Point products is that they are as real as it gets. We want our mannequins to act like they would on a real live client, day to day. Our hair is implanted the same way it would grow on a human head.” ~ Robert Passage

“My mother and I knew that a great way to honor my father’s legacy would be through an endowment to Beauty Changes Lives in his name. My father believed wholeheartedly in providing hair, beauty and wellness professionals a thorough and complete education in their craft, as well as how to be successful.” ~ Robert Passage

“Having a Pivot Point Academy and understanding the day-to-day activities of running a school provides us with a unique research-and-development competitive advantage.” ~ Robert Passage

“It’s important to not only reduce our environmental impact but also train our customers to get the most out of their hair. A single piece of hair can be used for a dozen or more exercises.” ~ Brandon Passage

“The significance of one headform is that after the product is used, a cap can be discarded, and a new cap can be used on that same headform. This reduces our environmental impact and still provides a premium experience.” ~ Brandon Passage

“Brands are a concept of trust. And we strive to earn that trust with every ethical decision we make.” ~ Corey Passage

“We understood that the COVID-19 health crisis would create uncertainty and cause significant disruptions for everyone, including schools in our industry. As an education partner, we knew the importance of supporting them during these difficult times as they transitioned to remote learning seemingly overnight.” ~ Corey Passage