Cosmetology Student Success Story: Hannah Alley
It was no surprise when Ms. Hannah Alley was recognized this past month at our campus in Everett, WA. Always greeted with a warm genuine smile in the halls, I can see the joy she has for this field. Always looking to learn fun, new techniques and applying them to her clients is a reason she was recognized; social media outreach! I love seeing her work flood her profiles online. Hannah has really been able to reach the new digital age and her clientele is building for proof of that. I’m excited to shre her journey with you:
About Hannah Alley
“It has always been a dream of mine to attend cosmetology school. I was always trying to color girlfriends hair growing up and even doing the up-dos for dances throughout school. Before beauty school I tried a traditional college for a year because that was what my parents wanted for me, I of course hated it and found that it just wasn’t for me. So I started working two jobs, saved money and then sent myself on a 2 month ‘solo’ backpacking trip through Australia, Bali, Thailand and the Philippines. An amazing opportunity that I was blessed to be able to make but still hadn’t a clue to want I wanted in life. Months went by, I woke up and things ‘clicked’! I shared with my parents that I wanted to move south to Washington to attend beauty school and there was no way of talking me out of it. Within the month, I was traveling from my little town of North Pole, Alaska through Canada to Washington!” begins Hannah.
We asked Hannah why she chose Evergreen Beauty College over other beauty schools in Washington and her reply, “The first time I came in and toured Evergreen was back in November 2016 with Courtney, one of the administrative counselors. I shared with Courtney that I had always dreamed of a career doing hair, but also I loved to be able to travel the world. Courtney not only made me feel extremely welcomed but also kept in contact with me throughout the year as I was trying to find the right path and the right timing. When the time was right, Courtney helped me enroll into the cosmetology program at their earliest availability. Not only was she there when I had questions but she actually remembered me once I made the decision a year later and even asked about my backpacking trip! The team there were eager to see me start my next journey, school.”
The Evergreen Experience 
We asked Hannah to share some areas that have been helpful to her, as well as areas of strengths since starting her cosmetology program with us:
“With the different programs and advanced classes Evergreen has to offer, I have enjoyed learning the color techniques such as balayage, which is my personal favorite. I took the eyelash certification class as well and love doing eye lash extensions also. It gives me diversity in the services I can offer, it’s a different aspect to beauty that lets me solve puzzles in a quiet setting. The beautiful results of my full sets hasn’t stopped amazing me,” states Hannah. “So, I would have to say that men’s cuts, balayage and eyelash extensions are strengths of mine and I can easily see them being a specialty,” Hannah adds in.
“My passion for this industry sets me apart from other stylist. I live for that ‘end’ result. I love witnessing the impact my work has on someone else. I can help them feel that inner beauty every person should feel, which is why clients should book with me. I care! I care about how they feel and the connection we have during their service,” Hannah humbly shares.
The Next Step 
Hannah gives advice to those that follow their dreams like she had, “School is the only place where it’s okay to mess up on someone’s hair because you’ll learn how to fix it. Try everything you can, and do not be afraid of messing it up, there are educators here to help you understand why you got what did and how to get what your vision is. Also, showing up is literally half the work! Even when you feel like sleeping in or skipping days, don’t! Just GO! At the end of the day you will be glad you did.” Anything worth having is worth giving up the comforts of your warm bed in the morning though it may not be easy choice.
What’s in store for Hannah after graduation you may ask? “As for me? I’ve enjoyed living in Washington for the past year, it has really grown on me. I think working with Regis salon for a couple of years would be an amazing opportunity since they offer great continuing education. I am working towards my externship hours and I’m planning to extern there at Regis. They are in a prime location for foot traffic, so I know being busy and refining my skills will happen naturally,” says Hannah. Regis has supported our graduates for years and enjoy our graduates for their natural transition into the industry. What a great path Hannah is looking into!
Ms. Hannah graduates this November 2019 and what better way to support her dream other than to stop in and see her in action at our Everett campus! And if you are interested in continuing to follow Hannah throughout her cosmetology program, you can check her out on Instagram: @hairby_hannah19. Congrats Ms. Hannah, you are on your way into a career that will fulfill those dreams of yours!
If you are interested in pursuing a career in the beauty industry take the Beauty Biz Readiness Quiz, you can also check out our programs or contact us at one of our five locations: Everett, Renton, Shoreline, Yakima, and Mt. Vernon.
