Sharde-Marie Clark

Why did you enroll in beauty school?

At 19 I watched “Chicago” the musical for the first time on stage, and decided that was what I wanted to do, work on Broadway. The idea of my work being shown on stage for the world to see was my ideal choice of career. I’m a “jack of all trades”, have my degree in English and journalism, as I thought at one point I wanted to be a history teacher! I have done hair and makeup for drag queens and community outreach programs like Nightscare Productions where we raise money and have food drives for the local community.

Why did you choose Phagans?

It was the nicest school and they actually answered my inquiry! I moved here from Spokane to go to school and I love it. I love everything, the students, teachers and the clients, especially my return clients.

In which community event you will be involved with next?

My next community outreach adventure is for the Victory Outreach Church of Portland. I will be donating my time and knowledge to help the youth of the church with hair cuts and after-school tutoring. If I can help someone with a snip of my shears that’s cool! I was one of those kids and that’s why I am so passionate about helping.

What are you planning to do once you graduate?

I graduate in 2015 and plan to be ahead of the game and be established with a theatre company, helping my community in anyway I can. Making actors shine on stage and screen is my dream and goal.

Thanks Sharde, it was a pleasure talking with you, and we wish you every success for the future.

The post Student Spotlight: Sharde-Marie Clark appeared first on Phagans School of Hair Design.

This year also was the 65th Anniversary of Phagans, so we spent the year honoring founder Wilma Lee Phagans Harrington with a number of events, prizes, and goody bags for customers.

Among our schools’ biggest accomplishments this year was both locations passed their 6-year accreditations “without limitations”, which in our world means with flying colors! I’m very grateful and proud of our staff for helping us achieve this high honor and carry on the tradition of excellence at Phagans.

I’m also grateful to the staff for working so hard to give our students what they need to graduate from school. Their efforts mean we get to see many of our graduates go to work in this wonderful field and achieve their dreams.

Most of all I’m grateful for our students. They take on school work but they also support the schools by donating time and services to various causes in our communities. Some do this while working and raising families. They’re enthusiastic, generous and remarkably talented.

The fashion industry is a dynamic one and 2014 promises to bring more change to Phagans, all for the better. But one thing is a certainty: The people in our community – the faculty, staff, and students – are who make Phagans a special place for all of us.

With Love,
Barbara Climaldi

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How did you get involved with the beauty industry?

In 1974, right after graduating high school, I took a summer job at Phagans in Salem. I was not a good fit for the job. In fact, it was my worst job ever! I quit, but my manager at the school told me to come back the following week in a white uniform because I was going to be a student. I spent the whole weekend looking for something else to get involved in. I didn’t want to go back – beauty school was not my dream!

But now, nearly 40 years later, I can look back on a long career in the beauty industry. And that manager who told me to come back as a student is now my mentor and friend, Karen Diekman.

What was school like?

It was very difficult. I learned a lot about myself…good and bad! I learned that I liked doing hair, and the instructors meant business. I had a good education.  It was physically and emotionally taxing – it wasn’t easy. I had to grow up because this was the real world!

How long have you been teaching?

I’ve been teaching since 1980. I’m always inspired by how creative the students are and how their lives change going through school.

What do you like most about your job?

Each day brings new challenges. Not only am I concerned with the day-to-day running of the school, but I also work with the instructors to make sure we are providing the best education for our students. It’s about having a good team and having fun too. It’s important to find time during the day to enjoy each other.

What advice would you give prospective students?

Plan for the unexpected…it will happen! In a short time, you will become someone totally different. Our industry is so powerful.

The post Interview with Nancy Ripp, Director of Education, Phagans Clackamas Campus appeared first on Phagans School of Hair Design.

But when she saw an opportunity to amp up her star power even more by working backstage at the Emmy’s, M’chel jumped at the chance.

M’chel saw a posting on the Hair and Makeup Artist Network for a job working at the 2011 Emmy’s and applied immediately – within 15 minutes. Along with the application, she sent written recommendations, portfolio, resume, video, links to her website and social networks. The job required working with two Redbook contest winners, two hair and makeup bloggers who are well-known in the industry, and two Redbook marketing staff members. Within days, M’chel had interviewed for the position and gotten the job.

She was elated!

After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and spending more than a decade building her career in the bright lights of L.A., M’chel moved home to Oregon in 2004. Since then she’s continued to develop her career, working locally as a makeup artist and beauty expert. In February 2011, she enrolled at Phagans Clackamas location to advance her hair styling skills so she could offer cut and color to her celebrity and high profile clients.

But M’chel was not yet done dazzling L.A., as her recent experience at the Emmys illustrates. “The experience was fabulous, surreal,” said M’chel. “It was an honor to be asked.”

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