Building stronger connections today helps shape better careers tomorrow

Every successful salon owner talks about the importance of culture, education, mentorship, and long-term growth. But one of the most overlooked opportunities to strengthen all of those things often exists nearby: in your local cosmetology schools.

Today, strong relationships between salons and schools matter perhaps more than ever. Too often, however, those relationships become transactional. A salon reaches out when they need to hire. A school reaches out when students need placement opportunities.

But the strongest relationships go much deeper than recruitment. The best salon owners stay connected to schools throughout the year because they understand something important: schools sit at the foundation of the future of the industry, and salons help shape what that future becomes.

Helping Students Build Stronger Career Foundations

ICA believes helping students understand the full range of career opportunities while still in school is an important part of building that long-term success. Our industry offers many possible directions over the course of a career, including employment-based salons, independent work, chair or suite rental, education, brand work, leadership roles, and more.

But ICA also believes there is not enough conversation today around the long-term value employment-based salons can provide early in a professional’s career. Salons built around education, mentorship, culture, coaching, and support have historically helped many new professionals strengthen both their technical and business skills while building confidence, professionalism, and long-term career stability.

That’s why strong relationships between schools and salons matter so much. The more educators understand today’s employment-based salon environment firsthand, the better they can help students make informed decisions early on about the career paths that may best support their future success.

Honor the Teacher: More Than Recognition

That’s one reason ICA’s Honor the Teacher program matters so much.

At its core, the program celebrates educators making a difference in students’ lives every day. But it also creates opportunities for salons and schools to connect more meaningfully with one another while opening the door for conversations, collaboration, and stronger community relationships.

And that benefits everyone—students, schools, salons, and ultimately the industry itself.

A Challenge for Salon Owners

ICA’s Honor the Teacher program creates a meaningful opportunity for salon owners to strengthen relationships with local schools and educators.

Using the QR code included with this article, salons can share the program directly with schools so currently enrolled students can nominate the teachers making a difference in their lives right now.

This is not a popularity contest. Students submit written essays sharing how a teacher has impacted them personally and professionally and why it matters so much. From these stories, an ICA committee will choose  five outstanding educators  to be honored on stage at this year’s Fall Atelier.

To better connect with schools in your area, please share program info and our nomination form by way of the QR code below. 

ICA Honor the Teacher Program Info and Nomination form: