The End of a Long Journey

Well, it looks like I was so busy I forgot about my blog. But I now have plenty of time to update you all! So much has happened I don't know where to start. I guess we will just go back to where I left off.

As the number of days grew that I was on the floor so did my number of regular clients. Every Tuesday Margarite came in for her shampoo set, wednesday was when I saw Ethal, and Friday was always Nancy's day at the school. Not to mention I had two color retouches every month on the dot, my best friend for color every time she came to town, a walk in that loved me enough to continue to come back for a shampoo style once a week, and plenty of other services that I provided that clients liked enough to keep coming back. Some even referred their family and friends to me. I must have been doing something right. My days were packed! It made me feel good and like I was working in a salon building up clientele. I guess it won't be too difficult to rebuild my clientele in a salon if I can get so many just in school! It made me feel good about myself and other students looked up to me, which made me feel awesome. 

With all these clients coming in I had a lot of practice with shampoo sets, haircutting, styling and color. We switched to a new color line at the school as well. Two days of non-stop color classes and color clients sure did tire us all out. But it was oh-so-worth it. I never learned so much about color and I really like the new line, Affinage. During the two days of color training we were given a challenge; if you got 3 color request clients, you got a free color for yourself. Well, I did it. I had 4 requests so I got to try out the new color. It looked fantastic. Not as dark as I wanted, but it was all about learning and I learned a lot. Now I know what to do different next time to get it exactly how I want it. Affinage has a pretty spectacular color line with tons of variations and fun collections. It was definitely a line I wouldn't  mind sticking with in my career. 

My biggest challenge came these last few months as well, the June 2012 Pin-up girl hair show. Not only was this my last big project, it was my turn to have a live model that I made over from head to toe. I had a great idea of doing Pin-up girls from working with them over and over at some of my jobs. They always look so fantastic and the creation looked so much fun. I begged Mrs. Komzack to let us make it a pin-up theme and eventually all the begging paid off! It was chosen as the theme and I was super excited! My model was my best friend Glynis. I wanted to make her a combination of a pin-up girl and Rosie the Riveter who was very popular in that era. After practicing over and over on dolls hair, I found a style that inspired me. I made a portfolio that laid out the puzzle pieces to her hair, make-up, wardrobe, and accessories. Once that was turned in it was time to practice on her. It was difficult, but we managed to pull it together in a practice run through and again the night of the show. She looked phenomenal! I didn't place that night, but I received the biggest compliments from other students and their families saying that I should have. Judge for yourself: 

Finally, after all that stress I had it easy for a while. I watched friend after friend graduate and move on with their lives. Some have taken salon jobs right away and others not. My most recent and closest friend, Erica, graduated and gave me the news the other day that she is officially a licensed cosmetologist! I couldn't be more happy!

It was soon to be my turn. I practiced the state board practical test 4 times and received grades all over 92%. My confidence is up and I am ready for the real thing. I passed my senior final, went on my senior field trip to visit salons, wrote out my goals and tied up all my loose ends. The next big step: graduation.

August 22, 2012 at 1pm was one of my happiest moments attending TCOB. It was finally my turn to graduate. Mrs. Rivera had the countdown started over the speaker and as my mom, boyfriend, and his mom watched I ran through the tunnel to my diploma waiting on the other side! WOW! I did it! I started as a lone ranger 11 months ago, and finished as a lone ranger with a lot of skill, talent, and determination! Now I just wait for my test dates. 

I have checked my email at least 100 times since I graduated for my date, even though I know it takes at least 3 days. I guess you could say I am nervous and just want to get them over with! Once I pass and have my license in hand I will wait to apply at a salon until January 1, 2013. I am expecting my first baby in October so I will stay home and do hair at home until then. No disappointment here my friends. I am a very excited mommy to be and stylist to be. I have a few places I want to look into applying and I cant wait for the day to start working in an actual salon. Watch out world! I am coming for you! 

Thanks for following me as my journey has ended at TCOB. I will try to remember to pop in when things pop up! I know I made the right decision coming here even though times may have been rough here and there, but I made it. I feel confident in applying and working in the "real world." I wouldn't feel this way if it weren't for the great instructors I had. When I start a salon job I hope to see some of you as clients one day. :)

Time flies

Time sure does fly when you are having fun! Busy some days, not so busy others... you can never guess what a day will be like here at TCOB. The weather threw us all for a loop and I think it scared all the clients away. It was so cold, windy, and rainy that everyone wanted to stay home instead of come see us. When that happens we get a lot of mannequin work in and practice new techniques and refine the old. I wont complain... I always need a good refresher. 


Recently I started working as a receptionist for Supercuts. It is nice to see how things work in a fast paced salon like that. It is almost like being at school except that they don't have to wait for instructors to check them every step of the way. They have days just like the school does as well. Some busier than others, longer, shorter, and the best days are the days that fly. 


As time continues to fly... I am headed back to my station to cut some mannequin hair just for the hell of it! :)


PS... Amie says hi to all you bloggers out there! Much love from ISS ;) Love you Amie 

Quietly busy...

     Well, it's Thursday and it is quiet in the Cosmo world at TCOB. I have studied my booty off, took a test, completed my worksheet, and have extra time to blog. That is very rare. We have been jam packed since the new year. New starts began, that last freshman class is all officially on the floor, we have a new receptionist, teachers have new schedules, students are switching from nights to days and vice versus... and all the while we a booked with clients all day every day. Except today and I wont complain about one slow day out the the year. Two of my best friends here at school are also graduating this week. I am sad but so excited! Now only if it were my turn. One of them gave me a challenge when I came out on the floor. My challenge was to save all my tips from then to when I graduate. So far I am doing good! I have only bought water bottles with my tip money and my little baggie I keep locked away is getting full! Hopefully I will be rich when I graduate in 6 more months! ;) 
     Other than that, same old same old around here. I work my butt off every day here and I am learning, growing, and stepping closer to the day I will take my exams and become licensed. Keep checking in to see how things are going around TCOB. 


Chillaxin'
~Jacqui
    1-26-12

Happy New Year!

     WOW! What a busy start to the new year around these parts! Booked up like crazy, great $12 specials, and another bunch of newbies, I mean Freshman are in the doors. Throughout December we had a contest to see who could get the most requests... and guess who won?? None other than yours truly! I am proud of myself as are my clients. :) Had to start off the new years with a new station as well. We are all moved around and in new stations for a while. I cant complain about mine. I like it! Other than that everything is just about the same. Clients are coming back, getting used to having regulars whom I love, and passing tests left and right on my journey through beauty school. I can say one thing, my first roller set on the floor was a disaster, and now I am a pro! Watch out beauty industry, this girl can knock out a roller set in the first round! Too bad this may be the only place I ever do them this much ever again! 

     Other than the day to day business in our school salon, Erica put some new color on my hair this week. I love it. She did great! Not only did she get practice with a different coloring technique, but I got my hair colored just ow I wanted it. Benefits to studying cosmetology! 

      Now that we are back on schedule after the wild holidays keep and eye out for more of my blogs. TCOB is back in action for 2012 and time is flying! Hurry up July! I want to graduate! 

Rockin' and Rollin'... those roller sets that is,

Jacqui

1-13-12

Fa la la la la! Its Christmas in Paris!

     It is hair show week at TCOB and boy has Santa come through here and threw up all over! Sounds gross, but its really pretty! Christmas trees decorated and light up, presents wrapped under the tree, lights hung from the ceiling and mush much more! Simply elegant and gorgeous! I am only displaying a mannequin for this show, but I worked very hard on my doll. She has a bow in her hair, made of her own hair and a big bump and crazy pony! The students closer to graduating all have models that will be displaying an up-do and gorgeous outfit. I am excited to see what everyone has done tomorrow night for the show!
     Other than the planning and working out booty's off for the show this place is poppin' with clients. Got to get everything ready and looking fantastic for the holidays. Boy, I am sure getting to work on all my skills this time of year. Today I did a perm, hair cut, and roller set on the same client. It was my Grandma of course and she left looking fabulous! One of many clients! Well back to work getting ready for the show! 


Merry Christmas from Paris aka TCOB!
Jacqui 
12-14-11


PS... check out all our pictures on Facebook after the show in a few days!

Happy Anniversary TCOB!

     It's a special day here at TCOB, our 9 year anniversary is upon us. Specials galore, cupcakes, cake pops, and all of us looking snazzy in our black and white with pops of color! Mrs. Komzack was being silly and let Nicki and I go outside for a breathe of fresh air... with a cake pop! Yum! With black and white as the dress code today and I love being able to wear my scarf since the weather calls for it. So many clients are coming in today for all the $9 specials its crazy around here. Every day there is a special and it makes for a lot of variety in services around here. I love it.
     It's the beginning of a new month and that means another one down. 8 more to go, but so many people are going to graduate before then. Seeing friends go is sad for us, but awesome to watch them head off to take their state board and become stylists! I can't wait until its my turn! We are in the midst of planning a potluck lunch for all our December grads coming up. They are always so delicious. Can't wait for lunch tomorrow.
     As for the upcoming future I am expecting my family and friends to be coming in more for services. I love being on the floor and able to practice what I learned in freshman class. I am getting much more comfortable with clients and services and have even made some regulars already. Back to work I go for the day.

Come enjoy our anniversary specials!

Jacqui
12-2-11

Happy Thanksgiving! (forgot to publish)

     Happy thanksgiving everyone! This may be a short week here at school, but holy moley we are busy! All the holiday clients are making appointments to get beautified for their families and friends. We are getting all booked up which mean tons of practice.

     Since we blogged last I have fully made my way onto the floor and had plenty of appointments to keep me busy. When I am not with clients I am trying to be the good student and work on my worksheet (5 tasks to practice on mannequins when you don't have a client). I have jumped over my fear of doing my first perm on a client this week. It wasn't so bad, just took me forever! I will definitely have to practice on wrapping it a lot faster! Only practice and time will help with that. I am just excited to do more hair cuts and dive into more color clients. I did have a request for a color next week... wonder who it could be?!?!? Something to look forward to!

     I have had a great past few weeks. It was my birthday last week and a day full of surprises. My amazing friends from school decorated my station, got me a princess cake, had a potluck and sang to me! It was awesome! I have never had to go to school on my birthday before due to it being a holiday, but for this being the first time, it was well worth it. Thanks to all my TCOB friends and staff. I even got a haircut by Mrs. Rivera to make sure I looked extra pretty for all the festivities! So much fun around here. 

     As the short week winds down, so am I. I will continue to look forward to what is still to come and hopefully jump some more hurdles of fear as I continue to do services on clients.  


Until next time,
 Jacqui 11-22-11