How to Start a Barber School

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the demand for barbers and cosmetologists will continue to be high over the next several years. People who have a barber's license from an accredited school can increase their chances of earning a top salary in the industry. As the demand for hair stylists continues so too does the demand for schools where barbers can enroll to gain adequate training and licensing.

Instructions

Create a business plan and raise capital

1. Write a detailed business plan for your barber school.
   Include a description and mission for your school. Also include your marketing plan, researched materials on other barber schools in the area and information on the school's insurance coverage. Provide documents that highlight your financial records and your financial needs including how much capital the school will start with and how you will raise any additional needed capital. Refer to the Small Business Administration's "Writing a Business Plan" document in the resources section of this article to review sample business plans.

2. Raise capital and get insurance.
   Contact the Department of Education to apply for government grants and loans. Work with your bank to complete and submit loan applications to raise capital to start your school.

3. Speak with local insurance providers.
   Purchase enough insurance to cover property damages such as fire, flood or theft. Make sure that you get ample liability insurance. Ask your insurance provider about employee related insurance such as worker's compensation, disability and unemployment to make sure you have enough insurance for your school's instructors.

4. Build inventory.
   Contact wholesalers such as Empire Beauty, Salon Guys and Zurich Beauty to purchase salon chairs at a discount. Compare costs for styling chairs, hair coloring trolleys, wall mount stations, service trays, scissors and mirrors. Purchase enough supplies to build a solid training inventory.

Set Course Descriptions and Requirements

1. Create a name for each comprehensive academic class your school offers.
   For example, you could name a hair styling course "Barbering -- Hair Style 102." Include a description of each course with your school catalog for prospective students to review.

2. Note whether the course is mostly instruction and curriculum or interactive and hands-on.
   List study and reading materials required to pass the course, such as "Milady's Standard Textbook of Professional Barber-Styling."

3. Set the number of credit hour requirements to be licensed as set by your state board of Barbers and Cosmetology. Keep in mind that many states require 1500 hours of study before a student can be licensed.

Gain accreditation

1. Contact the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (see resources).
   Complete the steps to apply for first time accreditation, including submitting your application, attending an accreditation workshop and paying necessary fees. Keep in mind that although gaining accreditation is voluntary, the more accreditations your school has, the more valued a license provided by your barber school may be perceived by employers and other institutions of higher learning.

2. Consider getting additional regional accreditations by contacting your regional accrediting agency (see resources).
   Keep in mind that each regional agency has different requirements and some regional accreditation agencies, such as the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, do not accredit schools that only offer postsecondary certificates, diplomas or licenses. Typical steps require that you meet with evaluators to conduct your school's quality assurance review. Complete an assessment report, which should include providing an executive overview of your school and how you will conduct regular internal quality assurance reviews.

3. Work with the head of the evaluation team assigned to review your school and present the team with any additionally requested paperwork.
   Make all requested corrections to school policies, procedures and accounting systems and report changes to the accreditation agency.

Hire staff and attract students

1. Hire qualified instructors.
   Post instructor position openings on job boards such as Career Builder, Monster and Simply Hired. Note that you are seeking licensed hair stylists and cosmetologists to work as instructors at your new barber school. Post similar job openings in your local newspaper. Conduct probing interviews with eligible candidates to ensure that you hire the very best instructors.

2. Set tuition costs.
   Research tuition costs for nearby barber schools. Set competitive tuition rates and fees. Keep in mind that cosmetology schools typically cost from $7,000 to $10,000 per student.

3. Help students obtain financial aid.
   Contact the United States Department of Education to apply for Title IV school code (see resources). Attend the financial aid administrator's training. Gain your certification so that your school will get a Title IV school code and be eligible to receive federal financial aid from qualified students.

Resources

• National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences
• Accreditation Agencies
• Sample Standard Assessment Report
• Small Business Association - Writing a Business Plan
• Title IV