If you pay attention to the Phagans Facebook page, you will see one person, more than any other, end up in many of the photos. You can’t miss Miss Betty striking a pose with her hand on her hip and a leg pushed in front of her. But she’s  more than a pretty face and perpetual photo-bomber. Let’s get to know her:

Position and Number of Years at Phagans?

I have been with Phagans for 13 years and am a fully licensed instructor for both day and night classes. I mentor my students and let them job shadow me at JCPenny’s hair salon. I am the artistic team director at both campuses.

What’s your favorite thing about working at Phagans?

I love it when a student sets a goal, then I get to work with them to make it happen. I love watching them exceed their dreams!! Many of my past students are business owners. One is a celebrity makeup artist. Another is a hair stylist for the International Opera. Some are now educators themselves. I get to be a part of their journey and see their transformation, watching them grow their businesses! I take pride in that.

What do you think makes a successful Phagans student?

One word: PASSION!!!

Who’s your favorite stylist working in the Portland area?

I do not have ONE. I love all the stylists who take pride in themselves and the work they do. It’s all about making your clients feel beautiful!

How do you end up in so many of the photographs on Phagans’ Facebook page?

I spend a lot of my time volunteering at events such as the Rose Festival, Streaks for Strokes, Portland Fashion Show, America’s Next Top Model, and Mani’s for Grannies. I love giving back to the community and to the industry! This is not only my job and career it’s my passion and hobby!

Tell us about the pose you strike in the photos.

I am small in stature and am always photo ready. I stand tall with my head up and always stay positive!

What else would you like to add?

I am proud to be a hair stylist, mentor, instructor and a peer of all the successful stylists!

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How old were you when you became interested in the beauty industry?

I always liked doing hair. I was always messing around, coloring my mom’s hair, doing my sister’s nails or cutting the cat’s fur. I went to beauty school during my sophomore year in high school and I actually graduated from beauty school before high school.

What did you like when you were attending beauty school?

I enjoyed interacting with all of the different people and helping the people in my community.

Where did you work after beauty school?

I worked in an Aveda Day Spa for a year and a half and then I had a child. I did go back behind the chair and I specialized in multi-textured and ethnic hair, but basically I did it all.

What is your favorite service to perform?

I love dry-styling and finishing styling.

Why did you become an educator?

I wanted to share my gift and perspective with others.

What do you like about being an educator?

I like being able to grow as an individual and master what I’m teaching and then passing on the knowledge in an efficient way. I also enjoy seeing the students succeed and do well.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking about going to beauty school?

Say yes to every person, broaden your perspective, be open and flexible and always ask lots of questions.

How are you liking Phagans?

I like it alot! It’s very personal, family-oriented, there’s a structure and all of the instructors invest in each other’s success and teamwork. Students are eager to learn and are respectful and that is the best.

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It was a proud moment for me this year when two Phagans graduates received awards at the very first Portland Style Awards, one for Best Makeup and one for Best Salon. It’s humbling to think that these two graduates, along with countless others who deserve to be acknowledged, chose Phagans to help them when they first decided to build their careers. Throughout Portland, the state, and the country, our graduates are realizing their dreams by doing something they really love.

Giving Back

It’s amazing to me that we get to contribute to our students’ success and that this small contribution is reflected in our school’s success. The Phagans family has been very fortunate during the past few years. So during 2012 we made a big effort to give back to the communities where our schools are growing and thriving. We have:
– Raised money for Cut It Out, a national program dedicated to mobilizing salon professionals to fight back against domestic violence.
– Participated in the Rose Festival by having students style the princesses for the coronation of the queen.
– Partnered with Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center for Streaks for Stroke to raise awareness of stroke prevention.
– Distributed gift certificates to a variety of local charities as part of our 2nd Annual Beauty Drive, including Clackamas Women’s Shelter, Foster Family Care Network, Maple Star Foster Care,  Morrison Child and Family Services, the Boys and Girls Aid Society, The Salvation Army, the Men’s Rescue Mission and the Veteran’s Administration
– Provided 100 gift certificates to Central City Concern to help veterans struggling with homelessness, poverty, and additions.
– Given a day of pampering to women belonging to the Portland Black Parent Initiative.

It’s tremendously gratifying for me personally not only to help those in our community who are less fortunate than we are, but also to share that spirit with our students, who have really made me proud in how they’ve embraced giving as part of their education.

Meeting Goals

Also during 2012 we reached many of our professional goals. We added a night program to our Clackamas location, which provides working students with an opportunity to further their education. We also re-opened our Barbering Program, which filled a big need in the Portland area.

Our Clackamas location also was awarded with re-accreditation from the State of Oregon for six years, with no limitations and no findings, something we’re very proud of. It’s a process we intend to repeat for our Northeast location.

Finally, we helped many of our instructors receive Master Educator Certifications from Milady, giving them tools to help our students and supporting them as they further their own careers.

2013 Brings More Change

It’s that commitment – to our staff education and to our student experience – that we hope to carry forward into 2013. We will continue to invest in instructor education and are plan an excursion off-campus to the Cosmetology Educators of America Convention in Las Vegas.

For students we’ll be upgrading our kits and adding more makeup and more books. Also for students we plan to renovate our Northeast Portland location during the winter months. We’ll be adding new flooring, paint, upgraded stations and offices, and we’ll modernize the color scheme.

2013 also is the 65th Anniversary of Phagans, so we will have a year-long celebration with prizes, goodies and specials.

Finally, 2013 presents the ongoing opportunity for us as educators to watch our students become the people they want to be. To me, the best part of this journey is watching our students grow and change.

Although change is always present in the industry, mostly in the form of increased government regulation, it’s still an industry that cannot be outsourced. Computers, mobile phones, and tablets can’t cut hair, do nails, or make a client feel special or confident for a life event, like a wedding, prom, or a graduation.

And because of that there will always be the opportunity for our graduates to have wonderful careers and maybe even take the stage at an awards banquet to be acknowledged for the work they’ve done. But I know, with or without awards, our students are special for the beauty they add to the world.

Have a safe and happy 2013.

Barbara Climaldi

The post Barbara Climaldi: Looking Back on 2012, Looking Forward to 2013 appeared first on Phagans School of Hair Design.

Elisa Simko, Director of Financial Aid

How long have you worked at Phagans?

I’ve always enjoyed education, and I jumped at applying to work in a creative field as I am more used to working in business or information technology. I wanted to work in a more hands-on environment and I immediately liked it when I walked into Phagans.

Tell us about your job.

I help students apply for financial aid and understand their financial aid options. I also help prepare them to support themselves through school and beyond. I work with such a great team, we are all in it together working to see the students succeed.

What do you enjoy about your job?

The number one thing is helping the talented students achieve their goals.

I also enjoy working with a dedicated team that all believe in the same goal. I believe in the Phagans mission. There is always something new every day, lots of variety. I also go back and forth to both schools and enjoy seeing the different dynamics, and all the talent trickling through.

I am also glad that the students know that once they graduate we are always here to help them.

How has Phagans changed you?

That’s a good question! I’m a new manager and I am developing my leadership skills. Phagans has given me the opportunity to grow professionally, as I started here as a Financial Aid assistant and I’m now the director.

What advice do you have for future students reading this?

Seek out federal funds but also work to find scholarships too. Thousands of dollars go unclaimed each year so spend some time searching and applying for scholarships; it really is worth the time to do it.

Education is an investment in yourself and you should make the most of it when you come to school, it is worth it.

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