AACS is proud to announce that former U.S. Representative George Miller of California will be speaking at the 2018 School Leaders Summit in Washington DC.

 

The primary focus of Mr. Miller’s session will be to provide guidance to the membership on what to expect while they visit their elected officials during the AACS Congressional Hill Day on Thursday April 12.

 

Rep. Miller served in Congress from 1975 until his retirement in 2015. During that time, he was a leading advocate on education, labor, the economy, and the environment. From 2007 to 2010 as the Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, he worked to strengthen the American middle class and create education and employment opportunities. In the 111th Congress, he helped craft President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which included investments to spur education reform like the Race to the Top program.

 

Join us in Washington, D.C. for this exciting opportunity – sponsored by Milady. Register here.

The culmination of the 2018 School Leaders Summit will be a day spent on Capitol Hill, where we will meet with legislators to advocate on behalf of the Beauty and Wellness Education Industry. This important event will bring members of Congress and their staff face to face with school owners and industry leaders to discuss the critical issues facing our schools. Your advocacy efforts matter – in-person meetings between legislators and constituents are one of the most powerful ways to impact public policy.

 

Crossed arms, heavy sighs, short replies -- you know when a customer's getting frustrated. Worse, these physical signs show they're losing interest in what you're saying, and your shot at keeping their business might be fading fast.

Often, difficult or even angry customers aren't expressing frustration with you. These emotions are tied to external situations and psychological stimuli. So, put your great communication skills to work, draw on your superpower of reading the situation, and use these seven psychological tips for managing difficult customers to save your customer from churning.

A scholarship offered exclusively to AACS member schools, the Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education "Basic" Scholarship Competition is open and accepting applications through April 10. 

Introduced six years ago, this Spring’s competition will award five $7,000 tuition scholarships to students less than halfway through their cosmetology program at an AACS member school.  

Basic scholarship applicants must submit a YouTube video link answering the question, "Why is beauty your passion and how will your career in beauty fulfill your purpose?" Details for applying and examples of previous winners’ video applications may be viewed here.

Last week in Kentucky, the Senate Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations Committee favorably reported a Committee Substitute to SB 106.  As initially drafted this bipartisan bill would establish a 300 hour blow drying services license.  The Committee Substitute however lengthened the course of instruction to 450 hours to allow students to qualify for financial aid.  SB 106 defines "blow drying services" to include any of the following services performed on an individual's hair: arranging; cleaning; curling; dressing; blow drying; and performing any other similar procedure.  The bill was subsequently unanimously approved by the full Senate and sent to the House, where a committee referral is pending.     

Next door in Tennessee, companion bills – HB 2551 and SB 2712 – were introduced to exempt persons whose occupation or practice is confined solely to natural hair styling or hair wrapping from licensure.  The measures define "natural hair styling" as twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking, or natural hair braiding by hand or with mechanical devices and permits "minor trimming of natural hair or hair extensions incidental to twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking, or braiding hair."  

AACS thanks you in advance for your participation in the 2018 School Leaders Summit & Capitol Hill Day at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington DC. Taking place April 12th, 2018 Capitol Hill Day is a significant component of AACS’ ongoing advocacy efforts and political outreach at the federal level. Your institution’s active involvement in Capitol Hill Day – along with students, alumni, employers and partners – is crucial in our efforts to ENLIGHTEN Congress and the Trump Administration about the great benefits our schools provide to thousands of students each year.

Capitol Hill Day will also include pre-sessions and training opportunities featuring experienced government affairs advocates, policy experts, Members of Congress and key staffers. These special sessions will be designed to enhance your advocacy skills and knowledge of federal higher education policy, and to provide up-to-date insights into current political and policy developments affecting our schools and students. AACS staff and consultants will assist with scheduling meetings, planning logistics and providing materials to facilitate your discussions.

The ACE Grant Program is a marketing tool available only to AACS Members aimed at increasing your student enrollment. When your school pledges a tuition discount of $500-$1000 to eligible students, AACS will send you daily leads with prospective student names, phone numbers and email addresses. This complimentary program is promoted through different mediums including newspapers, magazines, internet, salons, high school counselors, and other industry partners. This small recruitment cost can produce a steady stream of students who may have never found your school otherwise. For more information or to enroll in the ACE Grant Program, contact Glen Fernandez at glen@beautyschools.org.  

Don’t forget to renew your AACS Membership for 2018! As of January 1, 2018, membership dues have increased. If you have received an invoice, RENEW TODAY to take advantage of your 2017 pricing! You can even renew online for added convenience. 

If you have any questions, or would like to submit your payment over the phone, please contact Linda Williams or Glen Fernandez or call 800.831.1086 for more details.