THE NEXT LEVEL OF SALON PROFESSIONAL™ At The Salon Professional Academy (TSPA) we believe that pursuing an education in the professional beauty industry is the first step to discovering a career filled with creativity and endless opportunity.  Our goal is to maximize your artistic potential through a program that teaches not only the latest techniques but also proven business and marketing strategies.  TSPA’s quality education can significantly improve your earning potential and prepare you for a long-term future in the industry.

  • Our curriculum and training has been co-developed and continually updated with help from REDKEN 5th Avenue NYC. This ongoing collaboration translates to education that is some of the most relevant, trending and compelling in the industry.
  • Our approach to personal, hands-on training includes smaller class-sizes that enable more interaction and one-on-one time with educators.
  • We continually train and support the educators who instruct you in the skills you’ll need for a successful and rewarding career.
  • Our beautiful, innovative Academy locations provide a positive, real-world learning environment.
  • In addition to technical skills, TSPA develops your ability to grow clientele and bookings, increase retail sales, and build lasting guest relationships – abilities that put you in high demand with top salons.
  • We make the privately-held salons and spas, where incomes are highest, a target for placement.  Area salon and spa owners serve on our advisory boards and recruit from our school.  Additionally, we have relationships for placement with more than 6,000 Redken Club 5th Avenue salons across all 50 states.

  • Scott Harned – Owner/Director of Operations

    Scott graduated from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a minor in Communications. After college he was a Recruiting Group Manager for a private firm consulting to large International Fortune 100 companies for 15 years and Director of Sales and Marketing in the restaurant industry for 6 years.

    Scott and his wife opened the doors to a blow dry bar and full service salon in June of 2014. This unique concept is the first of its kind in West Michigan and has gained an extremely loyal following in a short period of time.

    His passion is helping others grow personally and professionally.

    Rachel Harned – Owner/Director of Marketing

    Rachel graduated from Grand Valley State University with a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Advertising. Following college she was an account executive for the Grand Rapids Press for 5 years.

    In 2010, Rachel started an airbrush tanning business that quickly outgrew the basement of her home.

    In 2014, Rachel and her husband created Bombshell Blow Dry Bar, a full service salon with a blow dry bar concept in Holland, Michigan. After branding their business name in the community their staff quickly doubled in size. In the summer of 2015, Bombshell launched its associate program which employs newly graduated cosmetologists and focuses on teaching them to become a successful stylist in the salon. Her strongest attribute is her dedication to superior customer service and continued education. Watching her students grow and achieve the highest level of success is what makes it all worth it to Rachel.

    Nikol Taylor – Admissions Coordinator

    Nikol joined the work force at 15 years old and hasn't stopped since. She has the determination to make the most of every situation and the heart to help others reach their full potential. After following her husband around the United States while he was on Active Duty in the Marine Corps for 6 years, she worked as Office Manager at Hil-Man Automation.

    Nikol is actively involved in multiple non-profits in the community, such as LYNC and Lakeshore Lifeworks, all benefiting youth who have aged out of foster care. She has a strong passion to help young adults reach their goals and achieve their dreams. She has worked at a local salon in Marketing, while studying at Baker College. She is currently earning her Bachelor’s in Business and Marketing.

    Nikol joined the TSPA Holland family before the doors were open. She is excited to help current and future students not only receive a license, but also watch them grow and learn. She sees TSPA as a major stepping stone in a student’s life, an opportunity to cultivate their learning into a career they love.

    Heather Pingot – Instructor of Cosmetology

    Heather attended Douglas J Aveda Institute in East Lansing for cosmetology. Upon graduating, she accepted a position to teach at the school. After 3 years of teaching at Douglas J in Grand Rapids, she decided to move into an all male salon called Lady Janes Haircuts for Men. She managed one of many salons in West Michigan for 2 years.

    Teaching has always been a true passion of hers. Heather’s goal is to create well rounded stylists to become successful in their careers after attending The Salon Professional Academy. 

    Kathryn Balkon – Instructor of Cosmetology

    Kathryn attended cosmetology school at Douglas J Aveda Institute in Grand Rapids. After graduation she started working behind the chair at Master Cuts for two years while attending Grand Rapids Community College where she earned a degree in Business Administration. Kathryn has been teaching cosmetology for six years. Three of those years were at Douglas J in Grand Rapids and the other three years were at Paul Mitchell the School Grand Rapids formally known as Excel Academies of Cosmetology.
    Ever since Kathryn was a small child she said she wanted to do hair or be a teacher and now she is living out her dreams by doing both. The most exciting part of teaching is the ability to be a cheerleader for her students. She loves watching them grow into the amazing stylists they will become after attending The Salon Professional Academy.

    Ann Wilson - Instructor of Cosmetology

    Coming Soon!

    Becky Stygstra - Substitute Instructor of Cosmetology

    Becky graduated as a Cosmetologist in 1998 and as an Instructor in 2014. She is thrilled to teach the trade she deeply loves in order to raise professional standards in the beauty industry and help hairdressers achieve their professional goals. Becky finds it very rewarding to be influential with both the creative and business side of this form of art called Cosmetology. Throughout the student’s journey here at TSPA, she wants to provide excellent knowledge for the craft and artistry of hairdressing and provide leadership in developing a career that will change their life.

  • redken_logo
    Over a decade ago, The Salon Professional Academy joined forces with Redken 5th Avenue NYC to develop a salon and cosmetology franchise that has changed the industry.  Redken and TSPA collaborated to redesign what a “beauty school” was from the ground up – revisiting everything from the way things were taught to how the student salon area looked and functioned.  The result was a ultra-modern training facility providing students with skills beyond what they do behind the chair; skills that prepare them for a professional, successful career.

    Recognized By Redken For Excellence In Education.

    With a commitment to industry-leading education, business skills that prepare students for more than passing state boards, and a desire to see our students surpass all expectations for this profession, Redken has provided The Salon Professional Academy franchise locations the exclusive designation of “Recognized by Redken for Excellence in Education.”

     

    • “To have a passion in life is one of the strongest emotions we can have, to experience it every day is a gift, and to earn our living doing it is the blessing only few of us discover… hairdressing for me is all of the above. If being a salon professional is your dream then realize it in the capable hands of the Educators at The Salon Professional Academy, recognized by Redken 5th Avenue NYC. It’s the place to be to learn what you need to enable you to live better and earn better. You will leave school with intense enthusiasm, continued support and a stronger passion for one of the best professions that can take you to where you want to be.”

      Kris SorbieRedken Education Artistic Director and President Kris Sorbie LLC, NYC

    • “The quality of education that a TSPA academy provides is beyond any beauty school I have ever experienced. What I value as a salon owner is when a TSPA student comes in for a position at our salon they are trained on the level system, understand the importance of retail, and most importantly, their skill level is exceptional. Here is the reality, it is important a graduating TSPA student understands the importance of not only how to sell retail but also how to sell themselves. The added benefit of the business-building education that TSPAs bring to the student is financial security.”

      Leah FreemanInternational Redken Artist, Salon Owner

    • “Being that the TSPA academy is a Redken recognized academy, I believe that the principles that make Redken a huge success in education are easy to recognize when you’re experiencing the academy. I'm excited to see what we will witness in our profession in the near future because I know that the principles I've learned have changed my career and life. Now, seeing our youth start with these skills is very exciting to see unfold. The quality that a TSPA academy creates is a salon professional that is more technically skilled and is more career-focused, over all a better professional ready out of school.”

      Hugo UriasRedken Artist, FUEL Facilitator, Hairdresser for 20 years

    • “I have been working with the educators at TSPA for many years. The difference is in the educators. They say… ‘the bigger the party, the more people show up.’ TSPA schools attract passionate, committed professionals who love teaching others what they've learned. You can feel their commitment in everything they do and that translates to the TSPA graduate in more confidence, better skill retention, and at the end of the day - more earning power.”

      Scot ShermanFormer Redken Artist, Salon Owner

    • “The combination of strong technical skills and unique business building essentials make TSPA one of the top education facilities in the country. Students are provided the opportunity to gain skill excellence from amazing instructors as well as internationally recognized guest artists from across the country. When students graduate from TSPA they are fueled with a skill set to build a solid foundation behind the chair.”

      Ryan MorganRedken Artist, Redken Exchange Facilitator

    • “Exclusive training and unforgettable moments are in store for the student that attends The Salon Professional Academy. [They] offer top-notch education that will create healthy habits early on in your career behind the chair, as well as, more money in your wallet for the rest of your life. The point of difference with TSPA is this: While you are building your technical skill, you aren’t just learning to pass the State Board exams, you are learning how to build, run and grow a business.”

      Jayson MorganRedken Certified Designer & Colorist, Salon Owner

    • “Beauty schools are a great way for students to learn practical cosmetology skills while simultaneously preparing themselves for a rewarding career path and there is only one that I recommend and that is The Salon Professional Academy. In today’s world of cosmetology schools there is no better school that trains a student for the salon community then TSPA. TSPA schools teach technical skills, as well as solid business skills to support any salon, as the school atmosphere is professional and conducive to the achievement of excellence by student and faculty alike based on learner-focused education. The educators at TSPA find the knowledge and guidance to prepare a cosmetology student for a long successful future in the cosmetology field. The staff and management of TSPA schools instill the student with confidence to succeed in the professional salon industry.”

      Sam VillaRedken Education Artistic Director, Platform Artist

    • “I am thoroughly impressed by the well-rounded skills of the students that The Salon Professional Academy provides our industry. And as an owner, it is refreshing to hire students that are so well prepared.”

      Phil LeeRedken Educator, Salon Owner

    • “TSPA is undoubtedly the finest and most thorough academy for coaching and grooming the hairdressers of tomorrow! By not only learning your new hair skills from the industry's best, most experienced instructors, but also how to combine them with essential business strategies, you will be fully prepared for success!”

      Kenny BerkRedken Artist, 35 years industry experience

    • “I believe the Salon Professional Academies are some of the finest schools available in our industry. They have an excellent education philosophy and [their] curriculum stands out; providing their students with a complete cosmetology experience and prepares them for a great career in this industry.”

      Patrick ParentyPresident L’Oréal Professional Products Division, USA

    • The decision on choosing the correct academy to fast track your hairdressing career can be ominous. I think that means hard! LOL. Seriously, as the Artistic Director for Redken, President of Fuel Education and hairdresser for 47 years, I’ve traveled the world, taught and performed in 27 different countries. There is one common thing in the hairdressing industry… your “Learning to Earning” ratio. Simply put, the more you learn and the higher the quality of your learning – the more you earn.
      TSPA is affiliated with education-centric companies like Redken and Fuel Education Systems that train and help to produce the finest TSPA educators with the highest standards of education in the industry – bar none. How does that affect you? The best educators produce the best students. Salon owners want graduates who are salon-area ready with minimal post-academy training.

      TSPA understands your need to be grounded in the Principles of Design, Finish and Color upon entering your first salon. They help ground you in those principles and ready you for that position behind the chair; and TSPA has one of the highest rates of job placement …and after all that is the point, isn’t it

      Chris BaranEducation Artistic Director - Redken

    • As an educator for Redken (and as a working hairdresser), I have trained and worked with thousands of hairdressers in salons and schools all over the nation. No matter where I am, I can always tell a "TSPA" graduate because they are consistently one step ahead of their peers - in skills, professionalism, and customer service.

      Jesse LinaresRedken Artist, Artistic Director - The Studio by Studio Gaven