Educating For A Manufacturer
How to go from loving to teach to helping fellow beauty professional grow their business.
By Doug Smith
If you’ve always loved sharing your passion for new technique and product knowledge – you may be a perfect candidate to partner with a Professional Beauty Product Manufacturer as an Education Representative. The road to the front of the classroom may seem a bit daunting, but with drive and commitment you could find yourself traveling to top salons in your area, nationally and maybe even around the globe. Here are a few tips that may help you reach your goals as a top educator.
1. Find a manufacturer that shares your same style and product enthusiasm.
You are probably working in the salon with a product company you love. If that’s the case, you already have a great head start. If you don’t love the products you’re
currently working with do some research. A simple web search can help you learn about a company’s full range of products, education and philosophy. Start with Google and search products you think might fit your needs.
Once you’ve found a few products you think may be a good fit to your passion, make sure you attend every class you can at your local distributor stores or salons in your area. Don’t rest until you feel like you know the product as well as the instructor teaching the class.
Another great way to find out more about a company and their product is to attend a trade show where you know they’ll be exhibiting. Gather as much collateral and samples as you can and then take them home and get to know their story.
2. Once you narrow down the candidates, make the connection.
Get to know the local educators and become familiar with their skills. Every educator started out where you are right now and most would be more than happy to share their passion and story.
When you’re ready to get the ball rolling, fill out the manufacturer’s educator application and be sure to emphasize your similar interests. For example, if a company states that they are committed to growing the salon professional’s career through quality products that are easy to retail, be sure you write in the application about your passion to helping salon professionals ensure their clients hair will always look fabulous with at home beauty products custom recommended by their stylist. If you take the time to think about your answers to the questions on an application, you will see how easy it is to make sure they get a sense that you are familiar with their philosophies, and share their passion. It’s also helpful to keep these philosophies in mind when you get to the interview process.
Mary Kinnebeck of USP LLC; parent company to Enjoy Professional Hair Care states that when looking for educator candidates, Enjoy Professional Hair Care seeks people who have a: “Burning passion and love for the beauty industry and have a desire to help people become their best.”
Danielle Devine, Education Director for CND states: “Our best educators are those who were inspired in the classroom. They so much loved what they learned, and whom they learned from they wanted to become part of the team. When choosing a manufacturer to represent, take your time to find the right team to join. Make sure you find a company that inspires you.”
Both are great words of advice! Good luck finding the right company that inspires you and be sure to always love what you do!