Hair Design Student Success Story: Rebecca Bender
Evergreen is excited to share a student that was recognized for going above and beyond this past month at our Yakima campus. Ms. Rebecca Bender, aka Becca, is taking her brand and customer service to a whole new level and I am excited to share her journey with you.
About Rebecca Bender
When we ask our students why they chose to enroll into beauty school we often hear about lives that need a change. Ms. Rebecca was no different as she says, “I chose to pursue a new career after working in the corporate world of hotels and the food management industry. Recently I have worked as a Manager in a local Starbucks in Arlington, Washington. Around that time I had relocated to Yakima, Washington so I could be near family, it was at that time that I decided it was time to look for a different career. A career that involved areas I loved: art, management, retail sales and working with people. I also wanted training that I could somehow use to help people in need. Beauty School hit all the boxes and that is why I chose to go into this industry.”
Not only the beauty industry but Evergreen Beauty College was Rebecca’s choice when looking to start that journey. “I chose Evergreen Beauty College because it was well structured. While the rules and guidelines may have seemed really strict to me, I knew it was what I needed in order to learn what was needed to be successful in this industry. Anyone in this industry can be considered an artist but sometimes artists need boundaries, because we can live in the clouds. Also, all the people I met on my visits were very welcoming and friendly. I wouldn’t have chose it any other way,” explains Rebecca.
The Evergreen Experience 
Since starting school Rebecca shares some highlights of her program so far that she has found helpful, along with areas that sets her apart from your average stylist:
“Being in the Hair Design program I have found that I love playing with peoples’ hair in general. I am addicted to and enjoy the most, any fun and playful updos. I have recently learned to do four different braiding styles and I have had so much fun in recreating them on my mannequin heads and clients. I also love cutting hair. I love the creative ways that lines, angles and roundness can all be worked in and flow together. For me it is like going to art class everyday,” expressing Rebecca.
“I have had some amazing and fun assignments here at Evergreen Beauty College. I have had the most fun in creating my look book. Just having the experience of looking through magazines and the internet for pictures, hair colors, shades and levels was eye opening. I think having the look book has improved my communication with clients and other stylists. The other assignment I have felt really helped me was working on product knowledge papers. Knowing what the products do, how they work and the benefit of them makes it exciting to share with my clients. It takes the work out of ‘work’ out of it,” adds Rebecca.
“I am the oldest student in my school at age 45 and in that time I have learned important life lessons. One of my strengths is just being able to be kind and encouraging to the other students. Also, I think because I have some management skills I am good at looking at problems as challenges or opportunities instead of bad obstacles. I work them out like a puzzle in my head and I don’t get too worked up or upset. I can stay very neutral in the matter. I often tell myself that slow and steady wins the race. When I make a mistake I seem to bounce back to my normal self a little stronger and a bit wiser.”
“One of the things that sets me apart from others is my excitement and happiness when I get to work on a clients hair. I feel so privileged when they trust me with their hair. I always thank them at the end of every service. Being 45 years old, I know how great salon services can make you feel. I give respect and dignity to each person I work on no matter theirs looks, their income or how they present themselves.”
“I am a great listener and conversationalist. I like people and I care a lot. I remember the small details and I take pride in my work. I love doing everything in the hair industry. I love shampoo sets, perms, color, cuts and updos. I don’t really have a favorite because I like it all. The other reason that people should use me as their stylist is that if I have any doubt about what I am doing, I am good at reaching out for help. I respect my clients enough to admit when I am not sure how to complete a step. I will reach out for help every time to guarantee the success and look is achieved for my clients.”
Rebecca has many qualities that set her apart, as you’ve read above, but I want to point out the happiness and passion you can hear through her words. Evergreen has no doubt that using these qualities in your everyday life along as in your professional career will set you one step up and apart.
The Next Step
Thinking toward the future, Ms. Rebecca is striving to better this industry long term. “My plans for after I graduate is to work in a salon and gain some more experience. I would love to do wedding hair for brides and their bridal parties on weekends as well. I love doing presentations and everything they encompass so someday I would even love to be an instructor/trainer for this industry,” stated Rebecca.
Ms. Rebecca shares some words of advice for any future students of Evergreen Beauty College, “I didn’t really know what to expect when I first started here at school, but I tried to keep an open mind and a go with the flow attitude. That really was beneficial for me and I think it would help other new students. This program flows and fun things will pop up. Sometimes plans change. Be willing to follow the new plan when that happens. Also I would like to encourage new students to relax a bit. They don’t need to be perfect. No one is expecting them to be perfect. Perfection is a great thing to aim for, but take a breath and just focus on doing a bit better each new step,” Rebecca humbly shared.
Ms. Rebecca graduates next May 2019 and what better way to support her other than to stop in and see her at our Yakima campus as she finishes her program there! And if you are interested in continuing to follow Rebecca throughout her hair design program, you can check her out on Instagram: @becca_b72 . Congrats Ms. Rebecca, you are entering into a beautiful industry and we can not wait to see what you do with it!
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 three locations: Everett, Renton or Yakima, and soon to be Mt. Vernon as well.
