Category: Alumni

We can’t think of anything better than when a Phagans graduate follows their dreams and has a successful career. It was an obvious choice to have Dinah Ritchey as our first choice to be our Phagans All-Star! Dinah is a wonderful example of chasing your dreams and never giving up on yourself. Dinah graduated from Phagans in 2003 with a full cosmetology license, and right after dove into her career that led to her owning her successful salon, Urban Colorz. It was awesome to be able to take some time out of the our day and chat with Dinah about how she turned her passion into a successful career.

I started off in the industry close to 20 years ago doing hair and makeup at Glamour Shot back in the 90’s and managed to salon in high school. Then I went in a very corporate direction. … I really feel like I finally found my home when I started with Phagans.

Brian Pham graduated from Phagans in 2009 and shared his experience in this 2013 alumni spotlight. At the time, he was working as a hairdresser and district trainer for Regis Salons. He discussed why he chose beauty school, what he enjoyed about working in the beauty industry, and the importance of continued learning, motivation, and professional growth.

At the time of this 2013 interview, Phagans graduate Brian Pham was working as a hairdresser and district trainer for Regis Salons.

When did you attend Phagans?
I graduated in 2009 and was a full-course student. I chose Phagans after looking at several other schools and decided it was the right fit for me and also had financial aid available, which helped me get through school, because I didn’t …

Phagans graduate Heidi Aldana opened her first salon, Studio 90, in Southeast Portland less than two years after graduating. After changing careers from healthcare to cosmetology, she gained salon experience before becoming a business owner offering hair, nail, facial, and waxing services.

Her story highlights:

Making a career change into cosmetology
Overcoming challenges as an English-language learner
Gaining experience after graduation
Opening a two-chair salon
Building a business with support from family and friends

When Heidi Aldana worked as a certified nursing assistant one of her favorite parts of the job was working on patients’ hair and makeup.

Phagans graduate Heidi Aldana’s first salon, Studio 90.

So when the native Guatemalan found herself unemployed she decided to follow a dream that began in her native country and enrolled at …