Diamond Cosmetology College

GRAYSON_diamondMs. Stengel was planning retirement options when she first visited the Grayson SBDC in February 2005. “Ms. Stidham (SBDC Director) encouraged me to pursue something I knew well. I had been an educator for 21 years and love teaching. It just seemed logical…that this was what I should pursue,” stated Ms. Stengel. Counseling regarding start up requirements, financing and marketing as well as the use of SBDC library resources were provided by the SBDC.

Soon after visiting the SBDC a loan was secured and Diamond Cosmetology College opened for business July 13, 2005 in a rented building. The first six months was touch and go. Counselor, Ken Mullins, suggested using new student recruitment methods which proved very successful. Initially, Ms. Stengel taught all classes 8 am-9 pm six days a week. Today, Ms. Stengel has 7 seven employees and shares the teaching duties with additional full time instructors. Customer services sales increased from $500.00 weekly initially to over $2,500.00 weekly currently. Student enrollment has also grown dramatically. Enrollment is currently at 55 students and is near capacity, even in the new larger building. Accreditation with the Council on Occupational Education was earned as was Department of Education accreditation which makes student financial aid available and thus is a very important milestone.

Ms. Stengel is always interested in improving her business and participated in two recent opportunities through the Jobs Act program at the Grayson SBDC. The first activity was an energy audit. A cosmetology training facility requires a substantial amount of electrical energy as well as water resources and the audit was a means of identifying ways to reduce the operating cost by reducing or eliminating energy use. A few months later, the client requested an on-site visit by Marc Willson, a retail and marketing specialist. Mr. Willson suggested activities and techniques the client can employ to increase marketing and enrollment.

Counselor Ken Mullins most recently assisted the client in securing financing to construct a new building in order to accommodate the growth of this very successful business. The client was able to secure an SBA 504 loan through Landmark Bank in Sherman for the new building which they recently moved into. The new building is in an excellent location close to the intersection of two major highways and near busy shopping areas. The new location will not only provide space for more students and classes, it will also provide easier access for local customers who come to the school for cosmetology services. Ms. Stengel continues to use the services of the SBDC and stated, “I would definitely recommend the SBDC to anyone going into business.”