Cosmetology College Opens on Youngstown’s South Side

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Beyond Expectations Barber College is growing into cosmetology.

Business and community leaders cut the ribbon Tuesday morning at Beyond Expectations Beauty College, located in the rear of 2246 Glenwood Ave., the same building where the Beyond Expectations Barber College opened in 2022. 

“With the success we’ve had with the barber college, graduating over 200 people – we boast a 91% graduation, 90% licensure rate and a 100% placement rate – we wanted to just continue that into the beauty industry, the cosmetology industry,” said founder Eric Garrett Sr.

He owns the colleges with his business partner, Daniel Williams. Garrett’s children, Eric Garrett II and Eryca Garrett, are the co-directors.

“We wanted to make an impact,” Garrett said. “So far we’ve done a positive thing in the barbering industry. Traditionally, barber is synonymous with men, but now with the cosmetology piece, we felt like we wanted to expand.”

Tuesday’s grand opening drew community leaders, including Mayor Jamael Tito Brown who urged residents to take advantage of the new school.

“This is an opportunity for our young men and women now for a career,” Brown said. “This is not just a job. This is a career for them.”

Applications for the beauty college are available at the barber college.

Christin Cylar is the cosmetology and manicure programs instructor. The program requires 1,500 hours for the cosmetology program, 200 hours for the manicure program and an additional 100 hours for the advanced manicure program, she said.

Beyond Expectations Barber College, which was founded in 2013 in Akron, teaches its students about more than hair. Courses cover the basics of owning a business, financial literacy and the importance of mental and physical health.

“Part of the American dream is just that,” Garrett said. “As a disabled veteran myself, I love this amazing country. Giving other people the idea or the thought process or the skill to be able to own their own business is part of the American dream. That’s part of what we incorporate in our curriculum.”

Beyond Expectations partners with Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation, Choffin Career & Technical Center, Mahoning and Columbiana Training Association and the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation.

YNDC owns the building and leases it to the college. Choffin students attend training at the barber college, and Garrett said they’re working out an agreement to work with Choffin cosmetology students as well.

“Our goal is to help as many young people in Youngstown as we possibly can,” Garrett said.

The college demands professionalism. 

“You’re not cussing in church, you’re not cussing in court and you’re not cussing here,” he said. “Everybody will be greeted as Mr. or Mrs., and it’s a professional setting.”
Pictured at top: Eric Garrett Sr., founder and co-owner of Beyond Expectations Beauty College, cuts the ribbon Tuesday. Standing next to him is Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito Brown; Ian Beniston, executive director of the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation; Christin Cylar, cosmetology instructor; Daniel Williams, co-owner; and supporters

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.