Ella Bache equips interested individuals with the skills required to become qualified beauty therapists, and can assist them in owning their own franchise.
The beauty franchise’s educational platform, Ella Bache College offers students the opportunity to complete a Diploma of Beauty Therapy, and it has established a grant program for graduates looking to operate their own salon.
“We want to help our students carve out a career, not just secure a job when they graduate,” said Jennifer Hayes, head of education at Ella Bache College.
“Students can apply for a grant to open their own salon by presenting a working business plan for an operating commercial beauty salon. The most innovative, creative and intelligent entry each year is awarded a $10,000 grant towards opening an Ella Bache franchise salon. We also continue to nurture their careers through professional development after they leave the college.”
The program includes theoretical and practical training, and there is an emphasis on ensuring students acquire the most relevant and up-to-date skills.
“As treatments are becoming more specialised, beauty therapy is more than just pampering. A beautician is trained to do manicures and hair removal, where a trained beauty therapist will possess more technical knowledge about skin science, skin biology, anatomy and physiology, nutrition and cosmetic chemistry,” explained Hayes.
“Practical experience is an important part of the training and all of our students are required to complete 150 hours of external work experience in a commercial salon before they can be awarded their qualification. With access to a network of more than 150 Ella Bach Salons and distributors and 36 David Jones stores nationally, students can gain work experience in a highly professional environment.”
After graduating from the college in 2012, Leanne Windsor worked within an Ella Bach salon in Newcastle, where she witnessed first-hand the support and guidance her employer received from head office.
This prompted Windsor to invest in her own salon, and within just two years of graduating she purchased an Ella Bach salon in the Sydney suburb of Chatswood.
“Being young, the idea of opening my own salon was daunting,” she said.
“However, I feel that Ella Bache College equipped me with the knowledge and tools to become a professional beauty therapist and a competent business woman, plus, I have a talented team and a helpful business manager that continue to support me and my salon.”
The Chatswood salon went on to perform exceptionally well – within 10 months of opening it recorded a 30 percent growth in profitability and a 50 percent monthly increase in the client base, which saw Windsor receive the Ella Bache Business Development Award in August 2014.
Image: ellabache.com.au