We can all agree that Education is one of the most important factors in any career. With hairstyling, having the ability to have hands on education, consistancy, and mentorship is key. Learn more about Elevation H in this interview with founder, Cole Thompson, and learn why you need to learn more about Elevation H!
How did you get into hair?
Completely by chance, with growing up in England I always wanted to be a soccer player. Once I realised that wasn't going to happen I had no idea what to do - I was 16 and at home not working or studying so my mum gave me an ultimatum that if I don't find a job I was out. She didn't mean it at the time, but I didn't know that. I immediately picked up the local paper and the first job I saw was assisting in a salon so I jumped on the opportunity. The guy who owned the salon supported the same soccer team as me so he gave me a job straight away and the rest is history. So thanks mum.
Tell us more about your background before Elevation H
I have been in the industry for 15 years now. I spent 12 years at Vidal Sassoon and for for 9 of those 12 years I acted as Creative Director - managing and building businesses, training teams, working on photo shoots and traveling. I moved to the US 5 years ago, which is when I started to educate full time. Before that, it was all internal education with the Sassoon creative and salon teams. I really enjoyed educating and the salon experience really helped. I worked with students of all levels from recent graduated to stylists with 50 years in the industry. I was asked lots of questions from salon and school owners about how to better there business and education and this is how Elevation H was born.
What does Elevation H offer?
We are purely education. We have online cut and color technical videos, a cut and color technical manual plus a student workbook with complimentary hints and tips, teacher training, and teacher head sheet stencils. We also partner with Cosmotology schools and salons to install programs to ensure there students get the highest level of education, travel to salons to do in salon classes and make our advanced classes available online through Skype.
What are your biggest inspirations?
My girlfriend, family and friends. Within the industry I get inspired by people who want to learn and continue to better themselves by searching out education, closing their salon to take a class really inspires me to keep doing what I do.
What do you aim to achieve with Elevation H?
To raise the standard in education globally. I really feel that new stylists in the industry aren't getting a consistent enough understanding or even the confidence, from their school experience. We have designed a program for cosmetology schools to help the students not only pass a test but to be ready for a career in this industry. Salons benefit by creating a consistent level of education for their staff to have the same understanding and speak the same language.
Why is Elevation H important for both stylists, students, and educators?
We have a team with years of experience in all areas of this industry, we have a big focus on education for the educators to deliver information in the right way if the teachers aren't confident in what they are saying the student has no chance, I feel as an industry we forget about that. For stylists to stay motivated, current and be able to offer change to keep clients and for students to feel confident in what they have decided to do for a living. In all of these areas we deliver information in a very easy to understand way, we cover how, why and the look and its supported by headsheets, visuals and hands on.
Favorite thing about hair Education?
It's all fact and truth, cutting hair is an exact science. When you know the facts - making the right decision for the right person is made easy. Being able to give confidence to the individual, teaching in a way that way gives "light bulb moments" for the students, that's my favourite thing.
If you could give one piece of advice to the new generation of stylists - what would it be?
Go to a good school, ask lots of questions, and practice! If you make a mistake that's ok, just know there is an exact reason for why it went wrong.
This wonderful tutorial was taken from the Elevation H Education Manual and are a perfect example of the wonderful education opportunies that await you within.
Be sure to stalk Elevation H on Bangstyle and find more information about education at ElevationH.com or @ElevationH on Instagram.
