School of Hairstyling - Chubbuck
In 1980, Linda Mottishaw began working first as a recruiter for the Pocatello Beauty Academy and later as an instructor. From 1982 to 1987 she owned and operated her own salon before returning to PBA as a full-time teacher and business manager.
In January 1990 Linda purchased Pocatello Beauty Academy Inc. The school began operations in 1973 in a 6,500-square-foot building in Old Town Pocatello. Now named School of Hairstyling, the school draws students from throughout the Pacific Northwest. Under Linda's management, first-year revenue (1990) was $188,862. Student enrollment has steadily increased, from 33 students in 2001 to 84 in 2004. Revenues also have increased from $244,141 in 2001, $300,617
The main focus of Linda's corporation is operating a licensed cosmetology school. The school is federally accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences, and is approved by the Idaho Board of Vocational Education to train veterans, vocational rehabilitation enrollees and Workforce Investment Act (WIA) students.
The school offers a full curriculum of 2000 clock hours (approximately 15 months) of training in all types of hairstyling, permanent waving, hair coloring, hair cutting, natural nail manicuring, pedicuring and artificial nail application, facials, makeup, waxing and other miscellaneous services. After 300 clock hours of training, students are permitted to serve paying customers who are charged a small fee to cover the cost of supplies and offset the costs of the instruction. Students pay for tuition, books and supplies as a part of the training process but are not paid to complete the services for paying customers.
In 2002, with 42 students enrolled in a facility equipped to handle only 45, Linda realized the building she rented in Old Town, with its limited space and street parking, was inadequate to accommodate further growth. In September of that year she sought assistance from the Pocatello office of the Idaho Small Business Development Center (Idaho SBDC) and started planning a move to a larger facility.
In March 2003, Linda moved into a building in Chubbuck and, after completely remodeling the facility, relocated her school there. With Idaho SBDC assistance, in September 2004 Linda applied for an SBA 504 loan to help cover the costs of purchasing the land and building and equipping the school. The SBA approved the loan in October, and the project now is complete.
