Today we’d like to introduce you to Bridgette Cooper.
Bridgette, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Bridgette Cooper, and I am the owner of 360 Barber College- a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations approved training school and Global Beauty Institute which is also an approved training school in Cosmetology both schools are located in Dallas, TX. I’m also the owner of Money Zone Speedy Tax a tax preparation service that provides tax, business management, and business consulting services. I’m from Sulphur Springs, TX; currently residing in Dallas, TX.
I consider myself a Serial Entrepreneur. My testimony is proof that loyalty, commitment, dedication, determination, and faith in God can help you level up and open doors no man can close!
July 2019, I became a 100% owner of the barber college where I once worked as CFO for 5 years. The previous owner was my friend and mentor. In 2019 my mentor retired from the business and gifted me the business. This great opportunity and blessing didn’t come without woes, hard work, and faith.
I decided to relocate and rebrand the school. January 2020, 360 Barber College was established in the Oak Cliff area. 360 Barber College is a haven of opportunity that provides aspiring barbers, stylists, and entrepreneurs with access to the hope, resources, tools, and quality training that will allow them to be competitive and successful in a workforce where entrepreneurship is now reshaping the way we see the world. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Dallas- Fort Worth- Arlington metropolitan area has one of the highest employment levels of barbers in the United States. Our school must produce quality students that are confident and competent in their abilities as professional barbers.
My experience in Title IV, Accreditation, and regulatory agencies compliance allowed me to be an owner of Global Beauty Institute since 2017. 2017 was the season when I began to endeavor in school ownership.
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?
The ownership transition presented its share of challenges. Transparently, it was horrible. The federal funding stops. Students begin to drop. The money wasn’t there. People were telling me to close. No one wanted to invest because no one could see my vision. On top of everything, I still had to provide for my children. I felt abandoned. I felt no one had my back. I begin to completely rely on God. My faith wouldn’t let me fold. I continued telling myself, this is an opportunity that you just don’t lose. I would listen to “Greater is Coming”, Jakayln Carr on repeat. Although I believed greater was coming, I wasn’t exempt from my share of issues with people. Although I believed that greater was coming, that didn’t stop me from getting talked about, used, or mistreated by others, including individuals that I once saw as friends. Building the right team has been a challenge, but I feel as if I am close to my dream team being assembled.
Because I decided to relinquish my accreditation and Title IV, I’ve had to operate the school for 2 years with no federal funding. It feels like I had to start over, but I know that this opportunity is a blessing. I have a fully furnished school, and I have the license.
As you know, we’re big fans of 360 BARBER COLLEGE. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
360 BARBER COLLEGE is devoted to providing our students with quality education and preparing graduates for employment as a licensed Class A Barber or Instructor. We are instilling skills and developing professionalism in all students enrolled in our programs. 360 BARBER COLLEGE believes that all students enrolled can gain professional skills that can be used throughout their lives and future business endeavors in the barber and beauty industry.
How do you define success?
When an individual can see all of their dreams come to fruition despite their challenges and flows, they are successful.
All my dreams have turned into my reality. All my woes have turned into my strength.
Contact Info:
- Email: globalbeautyinstitute@
yahoo.com - Email: nextleveltrades@yahoo.com
- Instagram: 360barbercollege
- Facebook: 360barbercollegetx
- Facebook: globalbeautyinstitute
- Instagram: globalbeautyinstitute
- Facebook: moneyzonespeedytax
Image Credits
Jazzella McKeel Photography
Sincerely Yours Photography
