Why Beauty Education Matters: My Journey to Cosmetology School

Speak Up for Beauty Education Now

by Pivot Point Senior Manager, Business Development, Taylor Neff

Key takeaway: Beauty education provides creative careers, financial opportunities, and meaningful impact — but protecting licensing and training is critical to the industry’s future. As conversations around beauty licensing, financial aid, and industry regulation continue to evolve, the future of beauty education matters more than ever.

“What do you want to do with your life?”

It’s a question many of us start hearing around age 16.

But today, the answer is becoming more complicated — especially for students interested in beauty careers.

The truth is, at 16 I barely knew myself—let alone what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. It felt like a life-changing decision, and the pressure to make the right one was huge.

At the time, it felt like there were only two acceptable options:

Go to college. Or go straight into the workforce.

But college never quite felt like the path for me.

Not because I wasn’t a good student or didn’t enjoy school. I did. But I was always drawn to creative spaces.

I was a little punk rock kid. I loved live music. I loved art class. I was in band.

I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do with my life, but I knew one thing:

I wanted it to be creative, fun, and a place where I could truly show up as myself.

My brother went to art school, which intrigued me. I even toured a school for Interior Design, but something about it just didn’t feel right.

Then I walked through the doors of Eric Fisher Academy, a cosmetology school in Wichita, Kansas.

And I knew.

That moment changed my life.

Starting Beauty School

I started beauty school just one month after turning 18.

I knew myself well enough to realize that if I took too much time off after high school, I might not go back to school at all.

So I jumped in.

But being barely 18 and experiencing my newfound freedom came with some fun — maybe a little too much fun.

For a while, my social life took priority, and school fell to the back burner.

Eventually, it caught up with me.

And I dropped out.

Two months later, I realized how silly that decision was.

I wrote the school a letter asking them to accept me back so I could finish my hours.

Thankfully, they gave me a second chance and let me return to complete the program.

Looking back now, I’m incredibly grateful they did.

Choosing cosmetology school all those years ago turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life.

A Career That Is So Much More Than Hair

This career has provided so much for me — not just financially, but personally.

It allowed me to show up fully as myself: creative, expressive, and passionate, without judgment.

It gave me a space where my personality and individuality weren’t just accepted — they were celebrated.

It also allowed me to be someone’s day maker.

“This industry is about so much more than hair. We build confidence. We build relationships. We change lives.”

To see someone’s face light up when they see their fresh cut or color.

To celebrate life’s biggest moments with clients.

To sit with someone through heartbreak, loss, or difficult seasons.

Because the truth is:

This industry is about so much more than hair.

We build relationships.
We build confidence.
We become part of people’s lives.

And that is incredibly rewarding.

The Myth That Beauty Careers Aren’t “Real Careers”

Over the past 17 years in this industry, I’ve had many conversations where people view beauty careers as “less than.”

A backup plan.
Not a real career.

But let me tell you something:

This industry is far more than people realize.

Beauty professionals receive education in:

Science
Sanitation
Chemistry

Cosmetology training prepares professionals to protect the health and safety of their clients while delivering services that impact people’s confidence and well-being.

Beauty licensing exists for a reason.

The education beauty professionals receive ensures services are performed:

safely
hygienically
professionally

When I hear conversations about deregulating beauty licensing, it’s clear that many people pushing for it simply don’t understand what beauty professionals are trained to do.

Because in this industry:

Safety matters.
Sanitation matters.
Education matters.

“Cosmetology isn’t a fallback career. It’s a skilled profession that changes lives every single day.”

The Truth About Income in the Beauty Industry

Another myth I hear often is that beauty professionals don’t make good money.

During my career, I’ve managed salons and spas and run payroll. I’ve seen firsthand what stylists actually earn.

Some were making nearly six figures.

I also know many beauty professionals who make more than people with four-year college degrees.

The beauty industry itself is a multi-billion-dollar global industry.

And one thing will never go away:

The human desire to look and feel good.

As long as people care about confidence, self-expression, and personal care, beauty professionals will always play an important role.

The Many Career Paths a Cosmetology License Can Open

One thing I want to emphasize is how many opportunities exist in the beauty industry — opportunities I didn’t even fully understand when I first went to beauty school.

Over the years, I’ve worked:

Behind the chair as a stylist
In a beauty school
In professional beauty distribution
In sales and education

And each step opened new doors.

A cosmetology license can lead to careers such as:

Salon stylist or color specialist
Salon owner or manager
Beauty educator or school instructor
Platform artist or industry educator
Product educator or brand representative
Professional distributor sales consultant
Editorial or fashion stylist
And many more!

Your license isn’t just about doing hair.

It’s your passport to a diverse and creative career across the beauty industry.

I never would have had access to these opportunities without my cosmetology license.

Why Protecting Beauty Education Matters

Beauty school gave me a career, a community, and the ability to impact people’s lives every single day — while allowing me to be unapologetically myself.

But today, beauty education faces real challenges.

Conversations about deregulating beauty licensing or removing financial aid for beauty school programs threaten the future of this industry.

Protecting beauty education isn’t just about protecting jobs — it’s about protecting public safety, professional standards, and opportunities for future generations of beauty professionals.

Now more than ever, it’s critical for beauty professionals to make their voices heard.

Speak to lawmakers
Share your story
Stand up for beauty education

Encourage others to explore this career path and protect the licensing that ensures safety, professionalism, and expertise.

Advocate for the funding that helps provide opportunities to students who might not otherwise have access to this career.

Because this industry changes lives every day.

One haircut.
One color.
One client at a time.

Beauty school changed mine.

Let’s make sure it can continue changing countless others.

If someone you know is considering beauty school, send them this video from my friends at Prosper U. The opportunity in this industry is real—and bigger than most people realize.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TAYLOR NEFF

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