Beyond the Chair: An Alternative Pathway for Aspiring Cosmetology Students

The Morris County Vocational School District (MCVSD) wishes to highlight an excellent opportunity for cosmetology applicants who haven't selected a 2nd choice program in their share-time application. While we appreciate your passion for the beauty industry, we want to note that cosmetology is our most competitive share-time program. Therefore, we encourage Cosmetology applicants to consider our innovative Business Entrepreneurship Pathway as your 2nd choice program. This pathway could significantly enhance your beauty industry career goals if you aren't accepted into the cosmetology program. The story below illustrates how an MCST graduate leveraged her passion for cosmetology to build a successful digital marketing agency serving beauty professionals.

The Business-Beauty Connection: A Success Story

Many successful beauty professionals begin with dreams of working behind the chair but discover that business knowledge becomes their secret weapon. Take Tabitha Gessling, an MCVSD alum who transformed her beauty industry background into a thriving marketing strategy business. 

"There's no one-size-fits-all path in beauty, or in any industry," explains Tabitha. "For young entrepreneurs, programs like the Business Pathway at the Morris County Career Training Center is a great stepping stone for future professionals to carve out their own unique success stories."

Most importantly, Tabitha notes that her goals in the beauty industry "could have been accomplished with focusing on business first and then beauty." This insight is particularly valuable for students considering alternative pathways into the beauty industry.

 

Why Business Skills Matter for Beauty Careers

Located on the campus of the County College of Morris in Randolph, the Business Pathway offers high school juniors and seniors an innovative educational opportunity that bridges the gap between high school education and the workforce. Students gain valuable skills, college credits, and experiences that prepare them for:

• Launching their own beauty-related business
• Understanding salon/salon suites management and operations
• Developing marketing skills to attract clients
• Building financial literacy is  essential for industry success
• Creating strong personal and business brands

"The Business Pathway will give students the chance to develop their entrepreneurial skills, preparing them to launch their own business or be part of one that is already established," said Tabitha Gessling. "Regardless if a student's passion lies in cosmetology, marketing, or another field, a business education offers a solid foundation needed to build a successful career."

 A Different Route to the Same Destination

After gaining business expertise through our program, students will be better positioned to:

• Pursue cosmetology training with additional business knowledge
• Start their own beauty-related ventures
• Work in management positions within salons or spas
• Create innovative beauty industry marketing strategies

Recognizing the challenges beauty professionals face in marketing themselves, Tabitha launched Tabslookbook, a digital marketing agency designed specifically for beauty professionals. Her business education background gave her the tools to help artists and salon owners connect with their ideal clients and grow their businesses with confidence.

Your Future Starts Here

The MCVSD takes pride in celebrating the achievements of alumni. Success stories like Tabitha Gessling's demonstrate how the right foundation—even if it wasn't your first choice—can lead to incredible opportunities in the beauty industry and beyond.

We encourage students who applied to the cosmetology program but didn't select a 2nd choice to strongly consider the Business Entrepreneurship program. If you're interested in this opportunity, please email applicants@mcvts.org with the student's full name and request that the Business Pathway be added as your 2nd choice. Applicants have until Monday, March 10th to make this request.