Alumni Spotlight: Shera Callister

At Austin Kade Academy, we are always so impressed with how hard our students work. Our alumni have gone above and beyond to learn and meet their goals in the beauty industry. While each graduate has their own story to tell, we are very excited to share more about Austin Kade alumna, Shera Callister.

About Shera

Shera graduated from our cosmetology program in November 2020. She decided to go back to school later in life at 38, as the mother of four, to pursue beauty. By the time she graduated, she had a new son-in-law and a grandchild! Shera had always been a stay-at-home mom, and once her children were in school and she was working, she decided it was time for a change.

“I decided I wanted to go to hair school and go do what I wanted to do, rather than what I needed to.”

Shera discovered Austin Kade Academy when one of her daughters took a tour of the school and brought her along. While her daughter ended up in school in Utah, Shera knew Austin Kade was the right fit for her. She says she was “immediately drawn to the energy of the school and the beauty of the building. [In school] I threw myself into the theory side of it. I really love school and I didn’t take it for granted. I knew it was what I wanted to do.”

Today Shera rents her own space at Revived by Shera in Blackfoot, Idaho where she does hair and esthetics.

How School Fit Into Shera’s Life

As a mother of four, fitting school into a busy schedule can be a common obstacle. However, Shera said the option to take classes at night was the biggest deciding factor for her.

”On a sliding scale, [night classes] helped where I was as a mother with a career and was able to work school in. From what I saw, I didn’t just get hair education, they care about you as a person and as a career woman. I got all of it. They taught me how to be a better employee and coworker.”

On top of a schedule that worked for her, Shera is grateful to her instructors at Austin Kade Academy. While she worked with all the instructors, she says there are some she’d worked with since day one that will remain dear to her heart. To all current and future students at Austin Kade Academy, she says “When you’re there to learn, they’re there to teach you.”

Like any beauty school, a cosmetology program takes a lot of hard work and determination. Idaho requires 1600 hours of schooling to test and become licensed as a cosmetologist. This means that you’ll spend over a year in school working closely with the future of the beauty industry.

“I feel like if you come with the right attitude and a desire to learn then this is the school that’s going to give you the tools to go out and be successful. We’re not just taught how to do hair, we’re taught how to be a good team player and learn how to work with others.”

Learning the Business Side of Beauty

Cosmetology isn’t just about hair and makeup, there’s a lot that goes into the business aspect that can help you be successful. At Austin Kade Academy, we place a heavy emphasis on marketing yourself, your skills, and building your business presence online through social media. Every week students attend a business class to help them build the marketing skills they need.

Shera says she felt prepared to succeed after graduation because she learned the business side while in school. She actively uses Instagram to post her work and gather new clients.

I felt prepared because I was applying business principles as a student and so I went into it knowing how to rebook and how to talk to a client about products and how to market myself. I felt very prepared. There’s always so much that beauty school can teach you and the rest you learn in the field.

Marketing yourself doesn’t have to wait until after graduation. We teach all our students how to build a brand for themselves online so they can reach new clients and retain clientele after graduation. The stronger your online portfolio is, the better your chances may be for success after graduation!

Fitting in With the Austin Kade Academy Community

Austin Kade Academy isn’t just a school, it’s a community. Our students’ education is paramount, but we want them to enjoy their time with us as well. This is why we place an emphasis on fun!

Austin Kade is really good at the element of play. They will take us and surprise us with fun adventures. One time they took the entire school to go watch the premiere of Frozen 2. They also took us to Heise Hot Springs one time. I loved that they taught us the skills we need. I feel like while we got the best education, we’re also well-rounded. They made it fun!

We also greatly value our community and work hard to contribute to our friends and family in Idaho Falls. Shera says she felt passionate about our volunteer opportunities because they aligned with her core values. To keep up with our events, keep an eye on our Instagram and Facebook pages for updates!

Get Your Start at Austin Kade Academy

”It was a place that gave me the tools to have my dream career.”

You can get started on your dream no matter what stage of life you are in! If you’re ready to pursue your dream career in beauty, contact us! We would be more than happy to answer any questions you might have and tell you more about the programs we offer. Contact us today to find out more and schedule your tour!