The History of Keene Beauty Academy
In the beginning…
Keene Beauty Academy started as a small beauty school with nine students and one instructor on Roxbury Street in downtown Keene, New Hampshire. Rutherford and Constance Trottier started that small school in 1964.
In the early days of hair coloring, a new method developed using tin foil to apply a variety of hair colors at once. Because of that, the Trottiers invented and patented a unique product. Color Shells, as it’s called, support this technique using snap-close and see-through plastic sleeves. It was a huge accomplishment for a small New England school. Thus, sales grew as the Trottiers traveled to professional hair shows to demo their groundbreaking technology.
Our Moves…
Keene Beauty Academy, as it grew, moved to Mechanic Street in Keene, pictured above. In 1989 Joanne Stark, a former Keene Beauty Academy graduate bought the school. The Trottiers retired to Florida with occasional visits back. Joanne brought the school into a new, trendier educational style. As a result, her creativity attracted hundreds of students to enter the exciting field of cosmetology.
Keene Beauty Academy continued to grow and thrive. The school offered cosmetology and nail technology programs to students in the tristate area and beyond. Clients received salon services such as cuts, perms, and colors meanwhile students learned skills in the classroom. After, students practiced and perfected their skills in the student clinic on clients and each other. Students also received training in product knowledge to recommend the best shampoos, conditioners, and styling products. Keene Beauty Academy has always been a strong supporter of locally-grown business. As such Keene Beauty Academy sold Sukesha All Nutrient, a New Hampshire company, as its primary professional product line.
In 1994 the office manager, Kathy Hammond, and an instructor, Cara Down, purchased the school. The school then relocated to 800 Park Avenue in Keene where it gained more space, larger classrooms, and copious parking. Keene Beauty Academy‘s influence on the local community expanded at that time with the addition of a high school program and an esthetics program.
A New Beauty Academy Era…
In 2009, Cara Down sold her half of the beauty academy to Assistant Director, Jeanne Chappell. After that, in October of 2016, Kathy Hammond retired and Jeanne became the sole-owner of Keene Beauty Academy thus starting the fifth era of evolution!
Keene Beauty Academy thrived and continues to advance and evolve with the industry. Students and staff have access to the best environment to learn and grow in the fields of cosmetology and esthetics.
Keene Beauty Academy’s commitment to superior education is clear in all aspects of our educational offerings. We maintain a high standard of continued education for our staff, as well as inviting in local salon owners and national educators to present to students weekly. Students can expect to receive the latest trends and best practice skills to begin their career.
Keene Beauty Academy staff and administration prides itself on maintaining a low student to teacher ratio. Which allows us to provide attention to our students’ growing skills. Our students enjoy the constant availability of instructors which ensures confidence in all aspects of their training.
We’re thrilled to be celebrating 54 successful years in education and will continue to provide the highest quality education to our students and services to our clients. Please, come in any time to share your Keene Beauty Academy story with us!
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