becoming an educator- opinions wanted

[jaxsnip]

I LOVE my mavenettes opinions so please give me your open and honest ones. I've been cutting,styling , coloring , etc. for 20+ years. I'm ready for something new. I'm thinking about becoming an educator, along with running my salon and taking care of my family and staff .
So the questions
who's done this in the past ?
What is the best/worst company to work for ?
Where do I even start ?
can I possibly fit this into my schedule ?
Would you recommend this plan of action ?

[HairMaven]

The first question you have to ask yourself is "why" do you want to be an educator. There isn't really a wrong answer. Well, maybe "To make a lot of money" would be a less than realistic question... But anyway...

The first thing that I'd do is call the local beauty school and see if you can come in and share some education. They will say yes, and then you will have to plan out your presentation on the material you want to present. What should you present? Something that you are really good at and you can explain..

If you like that, do a couple more. If you love it, then I would say you should be an educator.

Ask your distributors and sales people who you would talk with for education possibilities for the lines that you already carry.

Good luck. And just know, educating isn't for everyone.

PS- I'd like to book a manicure with Sami!

[pixanne]

i would add that when you work as an educator, it is most often for a particular line,and sometimes the distributor will use you for classes and workshops not related to a line. when it is product- driven, you get a script that you have to incorporate, to upsell along with educating.when you work outside of any particular line, you don't have to do that, but you do have to come up with your own format-what you are going to teach- rather than what the company would have you presenting in a class. also, you will work on what used to be your days off, and some nights after salon hours, if that's when a salon wants you to come in. so decide how much of your time you want to give to this side venture, whether you want to work for a company(sebastian,redken etc) or a distributor,or freelance at schools. i agree with maven, that you should try it out and see if it appeals to you.it can be frustrating, but it's also rewarding. i do it along with a colleague of mine,for a distributor. we do hands-on workshops a couple times a month. i enjoy it, and it keeps me on my toes trend-wise. i wouldn't want to do it any more than i already do,it's just enough for me the way it is. give it a try if you can find a connection.