A DC-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) Community Initiative where Rising Stylists can search for Shadow-Hosting Salons and Barbershops to build community, find employment, and gain first-hand experience.
Start Shadowing Today!
“Shadowing” - a verb; which means to spend time in a shop or salon to observe and interact with all aspects of said shop or salon.
Rising Stylist
Whether you want to work at a salon/shop or go straight into business for yourself, take control of your education and your future now!
Learn and observe new business models, meet salon/shop team members, experience customer interactions, connect with mentors, and possibly find your future employer, all for FREE!
Benefits to Me
Find DMV Salons + Shops in one place - Meet your favorite salon/shops and find new ones
Online Scheduling, Just Show Up & No Formal Interviews - Low-pressure & no commitment
Explore Different Business Models, Cultures, and Teams
How it Works
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Join for free & complete your profile
Provide basic contact info and customize your profile with your favorite headshot and details about you.
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Find Salons & Shops in one easy place
Search the Member-only directory to meet your favorite salons/shops and find new ones.
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Easily online book shadow sessions
Select a time that’s good for you and complete the booking in less than 1 minute. You will receive an email confirmation with an option to easily add to your calendar so you don’t forget!
🎁Shadow Program Rewards
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Book a shadow session using the platform & visit Salon/Shop!
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Selfie Video Walking In
Selfie Video After the Session
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Upload your two videos (the "Walking In" video and the "After Session" video).
Fill out the Google Form based on your shadow experience.
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Instagram Reel Creation:
We will create an IG reel featuring your video submissions.
Please accept the collaborator invitation when it’s posted.
Once you accept the collaborator invitation you’ll receive an email confirming your credit after all steps are completed
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First Session Reward: Receive a “Welcome” Package with Hairdresser Strong swag.
Second Session Reward: Get the “Serious Career Planner” Package with products, workshops, and samples.
Fourth Session Reward: Earn a $100 check, a ticket to the Annual Beauty Business Brunch conference, and 1 free H.S. Class Ticket!
✺ Frequently asked questions ✺
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To spend a part of a day in a salon or shop getting to know the team, culture, clients, boss, and vibes.
It is also what you do if you want to learn more about how businesses operate for your own research and endeavors!
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NO! The Shadow Program is free for verified students!
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NO! Shadowing is observing, not working. This is not an internship, it is not a job application, but you are allowed to ask to help out or do things around the salon/shop if you want!
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Each salon and shop will be a unique experience. Primarily, you are there to observe, learn, and maybe meet a future employer or a business/industry mentor!
Salon/Shop Owner
Whether you are hiring or not, we need leaders who understand the importance of active and sustained local community engagement to enhance local education and opportunities.
What better way to elevate your local industry while creating a passive talent pipeline into your Salon/Shop?!
Benefits to Me
Meet Rising Stylists interested in your salon/shop.
Free and low-maintenance platform exclusively for Beauty Pros.
Automated notifications of Shadow bookings on your approved schedule.
Give back to the community by playing a vital role in shaping future professionals.
How it Works
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Join for free & complete your profile
Provide basic contact info and the days/times you want to regularly host. Then, customize your profile with your business’ logo, specialties, brands used, and details about your Salon/Shop!
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Find local Beauty Pros
Search the Member-only directory to meet Rising Stylist!
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Beauty Pros book shadow sessions on your approved schedule
You will receive an email confirmation with an option to easily add to your calendar so you don’t forget!
✺ Frequently asked questions ✺
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The Shadow Program will always be free for students.
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The success of this program depends on open and equal access. There are no applications. If you like the person and they like you, you can offer them an application and next steps.
All Shadow-Hosts provide the days/hours they are willing to open their doors and we embed a scheduler on your profile. This scheduler sends you email and text notifications of a Shadow booking and gives you the option to add it to your google or apple calendar.
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Yes! There are 2 hour sessions and ½ day (4 hours) sessions. You will only get 1 Shadower at a time and the limit is based on the availability you provide! For example, if you say you only want to host Shadowers on Tuesday and Saturday from 10am-4pm, that is 6 hours. So, you will either get three 2-hour sessions, OR 2-hour + a 4-hour session, etc.
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There are two options for Shadowing. Shadow sessions are 2-hour sessions or ½ day sessions (4-hours).
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The Shadow Program, currently, is open to all Cosmetology and Barbering School Students. The earlier they begin Shadowing the better. The longer they are in school with no real-world experience, the less influence shadowing has.
Schools
It is now easier than ever for your students to get direct access to potential employers AND real-world exposure with no obligation and no application!
Now, your students can ground their career-planning process in reality, not social media dreams.
Benefits to My School & Students
Free career planning tool to create realistic goals & expectations.
Higher and faster placement post-graduation.
Build stronger relationships with local Salons/Shops.
How it Works
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Students join for free & complete their profile
Provide basic contact info and customize their profile with their favorite headshot and details about themselves.
-
Find Salons & Shops in one easy place
Search the Member-only directory to meet their favorite salons/shops and find new ones.
-
Easily online book shadow sessions
Students pick a time & date and complete the booking in less than 1 minute. They’lll receive an email confirmation with an option to easily add to their calendar. After the shadow sessions, both salons and students can review each other.
✺ Frequently asked questions ✺
-
The Shadow Program will always be free for students.
-
The success of this program depends on open and equal access. There are no applications.
All Shadow-Hosts provide the days/hours they are willing to open their doors and we embed a scheduler on their profile. This scheduler sends them an email and text notifications of a Shadow booking.
-
NO! Shadowing is observing, not working. This is not an internship, it is not a job application, but the students are allowed to ask to help out or do things around the salon/shop if they want!
-
Each salon and shop will be a unique experience. Primarily, they are there to observe, learn, and maybe meet a future employer or a business/industry mentor!
-
There are two options for Shadowing. Shadow sessions are 2-hour sessions or ½ day sessions (4-hours).
-
The Shadow Program, currently, is open to all Cosmetology and Barbering School Students. The earlier they begin Shadowing the better. The longer they are in school with no real-world experience, the less influence shadowing has.