Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Bell.
Hi Angela, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started out my career as a cosmetologist, worked in the salon environment for many years, and found myself constantly sharing the knowledge I had acquired with new stylists. I was constantly talking about techniques and the science behind how to perform cuts, colors, and chemicals. This eventually led me to go back to school for my instructor license, which was 500 clock hours at the time. I wasn’t able to complete my instructor hours due to scheduling issues at home and work, but I knew I wanted to continue to learn and I knew that I enjoyed the men’s grooming environment and clientele. As soon as I was able, I attended barber school for the 300-hour crossover program. The crossover allows licensed cosmetologists to obtain a barber license in a shorter time by recognizing the hours they already clocked in cosmetology school. The additional 300 hours focuses on men’s cutting and shaving. After completing barber school and getting my barber license I knew I needed to finish the instructor hours I had left. So, I went right back to school and finally completed that program as well. I would say this probably occurred over an 8–9-year time span, so it definitely was not quick or easy.
To give credit where it’s due, I’ll say that my career path would be much different today had it not been for the director of that institution giving me a second shot at the student instructor program. When I attempted to re-enroll at my original campus, they didn’t have the space for me in their program. The director of another campus, who didn’t know me at all, interviewed me and accepted me into her program. I have considered her a mentor ever since. Thanks to her, I was able to get my instructor license and work my way to the position I am in now. And that’s really what adult education should be about, changing people’s lives. She did that for me and I am committed to pay that forward. There is so much to adult education that you can serve future professionals in so many ways along their journey to licensure.
I worked both “behind the chair” and in cosmetology schools as an instructor over the years and then became a substitute instructor for Brighton Barber Institute in May 2019, while also working in the barbershop. At the end of August that year, the previous director had made the decision to pursue another opportunity and recommended me to BBI’s founder as his replacement. I was offered the position.
Since becoming the Director of Education for Brighton Barber Institute in September 2019, we have grown from a Crossover program institution to teaching 3 different programs year-round (Class A Barber, Crossover, Student Instructor). What was only 4 class starts per year has grown to 10. We have adopted digital curriculum for the modern learner and that has helped to offer flexible scheduling. We have created a comprehensive practical theory schedule (per program) that covers every single service a barber is licensed to perform. We teach the practical state board exam extensively as part of our curriculum and have a 98.2% pass rate since we began its implementation. What was once a single-instructor school, now employs 3 highly qualified, well-regarded instructors whose primary goal is to educate confident, skilled, and professional future barbers. Our involvement in their journey doesn’t end until we have helped them complete state board, get their license, and find employment or even start their own business. Brighton also now accepts the GI Bill, is NACCAS accredited, and will be eligible to accept Title IV federal financial aid in the next 1-2 months.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have kind of spoken to my own personal struggles to even get to be here at Brighton Barber as an acting director, so I should speak to the struggles of growing a small school into a structured, accredited institution on the verge of offering Title IV financial aid.
When Brighton Barber Institute was founded in 2017, it was a Cosmetology Crossover only school. Meaning the only program available at the time was the 300-hour program, a condensed program offering focus on men’s haircutting and shaving so that a cosmetologist would be eligible for a barber license. The school was self-pay only, as the crossover program does not qualify for financial aid due to program length and the cost is minimal compared to longer programs. When Brighton began to offer the Class A Barber and Instructor programs, we began to get a lot of inquiries regarding the GI Bill and federal financial aid, especially because the Class A Barber program is much longer and therefore more expensive. It became obvious that in order to deliver this program to people without the financial means to change their own situation, we would have to find a way to assist them with that. So, we started with applying for the GI Bill. In order to complete that process, we had to write/re-write the majority of the lesson plans and content. I had to create reports and trackers for hours and percentages relevant to VA student guidelines, etc. It was a lot of work and a long process, I thought at the time, but ultimately was approximately 6 months or a little less and we were approved to help veterans use their benefits to go to school.
We then decided to become accredited through the National Accrediting Commission for Career Arts and Sciences, or NACCAS. Accreditation must be achieved to apply to receive Title IV financial aid as an institution. We began this process in December 2019 by applying for accreditation, and I had no idea how stringent this process would be, but it took until December 2022 to receive our approval. It was constant work, late nights/every night, curriculum creation/changes, records creation, policy creation/changes, detailed self-studies hundreds of pages long, submitting items to be told we must update or change this and that. It has been exhausting for 3 years straight, but we did what seemed like the impossible for only 2 people (the owner and me) and we are waiting for a Title IV approval to come any time now.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Brighton Barber Institute is centrally located in Hurst, TX, near DFW Airport. Our 3400 square feet facility is designed with the latest technology and equipment and offers 3 programs with 10 start dates per year. The modern design and state-of-the-art equipment offer an environment that promotes professionalism and excellence in learning. Our current programs include Class A Barber, Operator to Class A Barber (Crossover), and Student Instructor.
The friendly and knowledgeable team of instructors at BBI boasts over 30 combined years of industry and educational experience.
Our goal is to provide barber students with a safe, friendly, enjoyable experience throughout their time with us, while continuing to provide the most thorough, comprehensive curriculum available. Our school is for those who truly want to learn as much as possible about barbering in an environment that is conducive to the learning process.
We consistently hear from clients, students, and visitors that our school is clean, welcoming, and beautiful and that our student barbers are extremely professional. Our brand is one of academic distinction.
We offer discounted services to the public Monday-Friday from 9:00 am-3:30 pm.
Our services include: haircuts, face/neck/head shaves, ear/nose/face/brow waxing, shampoo, styling, grey blending, cheek line-up, and beard/mustache trims. All haircut services come with a neck shave, shampoo, and style.
Product lines include: Eleven Australia, 18.21, & Proraso. We are always happy to make suggestions regarding which shave, beard, and styling products are best for you.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memories are of chili cook-offs and trips to Port Aransas with my family. Spending time in the summer sun with my cousins being carefree and laughing. I have lots of favorite memories. Being a kid was pretty great.
Pricing:
- Haircuts $10
- Full Face Shave $10
- Beard/Mustache Trim $8
- Wax $9-$12
- Head Shave $15
Contact Info:
- Website: www.brightonbarber.com
- Instagram: brightonbarbers
- Facebook: Brighton Barber Institute
Image Credits
Angela Bell
Pablo Santiago
