Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Painter.
Hi Jennifer, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When I was in college at Southwest Texas State, my father cut me off because I wanted to move out of the dorm into an apartment on campus. Looking back, I give him credit him for most of my success because of that one hard decision. If I wanted to be treated like an adult, I had to act like an adult. The following year, I enrolled in the manicuring course so that I would be able to support myself while in college. I put myself through school doing nails on the Drag in Austin at Rick’s Hair Salon. I ultimately decided to go to law school and became an attorney in one of the largest global firms while living in New York City. After having my daughter, I decided to move back home to Austin. I worked in law firms downtown until 2010. My father had an accident that year, and I took a leave of absence from the law firm to help him run the family business. I realized right away that this was my true calling — something I had never considered before. No more stuffy lawyers and law firms for me! I have been working at our cosmetology school ever since, and it is by far the most rewarding career choice I could have made. There is nothing better than making people feel good about themselves, and the fact that I can be a part of making the world more beautiful, inside and out, for hundreds of students means the world to me! My father has retired now, so I plan to carry on his legacy for generations to come.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My husband died one year after my daughter was born, right before I was scheduled to take the Texas bar exam. My advisor told me to wing it because I had already passed the bar exam in New York. I’m glad I did because I passed! That helped me realize that I am unstoppable. Being a completely single mother and having a successful career is not easy, but it certainly teaches you balance and time management.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Central Texas Beauty College is the only accredited cosmetology school in our area that utilizes Pell Grants only in its financial aid funding. We are “anti-student loan” at our school. We do not believe it is in the best interest of our students to be saddled with student loans when they need to build a clientele once they graduate. We have had a 100% pass rate on our Cosmetology state board practical exam for the last ten plus years, leading us to be named as the #5 cosmetology school in the state and the #1 Cosmetology School in the Austin area. What makes us great is our amazing team of instructors and staff. Talk about dedication! They love what they do and they love our amazing students! We are a collaborative family, meaning everyone has a voice.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do something. I got kicked out of the University of Texas because my poor attendance resulted in failing grades. My advisor told me I would never have a chance to go to law school. I took that as a challenge and graduated Order of the Coif from Fordham University School of Law (almost ten years later…but hey, I did it). Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Hurdles are meant to be jumped over; they aren’t roadblocks.
Pricing:
- Cosmetology course: $9000
- Manicuring course: $5,100
- Haircuts are $10
- Haircolor starts at $30
Contact Info:
- Email: ctbcrr@gmail.com
- Website: www.centraltexasbeautycollege.com
- Instagram: @ctbc_rr
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/beautycollege
Image Credits
Kate Svedersky, Photographers of Westlake
