The Challenge
Arizona lacked accessible vocational training options for esthetics. At-risk youth in particular had few pathways to licensed, employable careers in the beauty industry.
I saw an opportunity to create something from nothing.
- No existing program to model—had to build from scratch
- Required navigating Arizona State Board regulatory requirements
- Needed to develop state-approved curriculum meeting licensing exam standards
- Had to build facility, recruit students, and establish partnerships simultaneously
What I Built
Facility Build-Out in Progress
Arizona Esthetics Institute under construction. An idea conceptualized in my head—and built from the ground up.
Deliverables Created
📚 State-Approved Curriculum
Complete esthetics program with lesson plans, competency frameworks, and assessments aligned to Arizona licensing requirements
📋 Instructional Materials
Student handbooks, course materials, and practical training guides
✅ Assessment Frameworks
Competency-based evaluations mapped to state licensing exam objectives
🤝 Partnership Agreements
School district MOUs creating vocational pathways for at-risk youth
🏢 Facility Operations
Complete facility build-out, equipment procurement, and compliance documentation
📣 Recruitment Materials
Enrollment marketing, community outreach, and student recruitment systems
The Pattern Continues
Arizona Esthetics Institute (2003-2004) was the first time I built a complete educational program from scratch. A decade later, I would do it again with xactechED at Xactware.
Same pattern:
→ Identify a skills gap
→ Create a program to address it
→ Navigate regulatory/funding requirements
→ Build awareness and drive enrollment
→ Deliver measurable results
Results
- State-approved curriculum meeting Arizona Board of Cosmetology requirements
- Licensed Trade school launched and operational
- School district partnerships creating pathways for at-risk youth
- Students enrolled and progressing toward licensing exams
- Complete program infrastructure—curriculum, facility, operations, recruitment
Interactive Demo
Launch Interactive Demo
Explore the Arizona Esthetics Institute curriculum and training materials
Behind the Scenes
Co-founding a trade school meant co-building it—literally. With young kids at home and a vision to create opportunity for others, we rolled up our sleeves and built Arizona Esthetics Institute from the ground up.
Building It—Literally
This is my first construction build-out—textured 3500+ sq ft.
Running Operations
Whiteboards and sticky notes tracked student progress, enrollment targets, and daily operations for our state-licensed vocational program.