John Forte, owner of What’s Your Forte Salon, is opening a new cosmetology school in downtown Charlotte. His wife Angela will be running the program, a dream they have shared together for a while. Affordability, location, quality materials and a small class size are benefits students who enroll can look forward to.
The new cosmetology school will be unique. With a class size of ten, students can look forward to more one-on-one attention than they would receive at larger schools. What’s Your Forte will also be just a short drive for Eaton County residents rather than the current 25-30 miles.
Tuition for the new school will be around $17,000, which includes an extensive and quality kit of tools for the industry. “We put a lot of time into finding tools that will last our students a long time. This is stuff that I would really love as a professional and they will be able to use when they start their careers,” explained Forte. Payment plans are available and with typical tuition at cosmetology schools ranging from $17,000-$46,000; it really is a great deal.
Another exciting part of the school will be a lash extension program. “Most cosmetology schools don’t offer that, but it’s part of our industry. I don’t want my students to have to spend more money when they get done with school, when they can just learn it here,” said Angela.
To be licensed with the state board, students have to have 1,500 hours of experience and take a test. While the test can be nerve wracking, Angela plans on spending a lot of time during school preparing students to be able to pass with flying colors. “I really want my students to be calm and confident when they go to take the test.”
Angela grew up in Laingsburg and dreamed about becoming a cosmetologist since she was three years old. She attended the Douglas J Aveda Institute, later becoming an instructor there. “I have wanted to open a cosmetology school from day one, and I want to pass on the skills I learned at Douglas J here. It’s all about the value-added services and giving customers an experience they aren’t used to like massages and steamed towels.”
Angela later owned Agape Salon in Eaton Rapids for several years until she sold the business in 2012. When one door closes, another one opens though. Angela visited What’s Your Forte Salon looking for a job after selling Agape Salon but didn’t realize that she would also meet her future husband there, John.
Now they have been married for five years and are about to realize a dream that they have both had for a long time. John is a Charlotte native and opened his salon in 2004 when he was just twenty-one. With a huge attention to detail, he prides himself on quality cuts for men. “John will definitely be a guest speaker at our cosmetology school, lecturing on men’s cuts.”
Soon, the Forte’s believe they will quickly outgrow their space. John and Angela will then have to switch spaces, with the cosmetology school moving to the front and John’s salon moving to the back of the building. They also would like to work on partnering with local schools in the distant future to create a co-op program. “We are just excited to finally be doing what we are supposed to do. God is moving us in a direction to glorify him and serve our community,” Forte said.
Applications for the cosmetology school are available at the salon. Applicants can also take a tour, ask questions, and meet their instructor. Students will also need to pass a criminal background check. For more information, you can give the salon a call at 424-284-9363 or visit their website: at vagaro.com/whatsyourforte. Spots are filling quickly, so interested students should enroll now.