stu·dent : /ˈst(y)o͞odnt/ : noun
denoting someone who is studying in order to enter a particular profession.
The previous stories we’ve highlighted are blueprints and/or guidelines as to how to approach the career of barbering/cosmetology. If there’s one thing we’ve learned from those stories is that at one point, they’ve all been students. For some becoming the student is a setback. For others it’s the beginning of a great experience that will push them forward. It’s never easy to put yourself in that position, especially when you’ve been practicing for years and have developed a following.
To become a cosmetologist in the state of Arizona you are required to complete as many as 1500 hours of school, which could take up to a year. After completing those hours you are then considered a graduate and move on to take the state exam. Once you pass the state exam you officially become a licensed cosmetologist and those long hours of school become a stepping stone to your future.
A student of the game is 24 year old, Fernando Barba also known as Fern and/or Nando .
Fern, may be one of the newest students over at Charles of Italy Beauty College and Massage Therapy School but he actually has 9 years of hair-styling experience. His interest in hair-styling came from home. Several family members had cosmetology experience including his older sister and uncle who would cut & style his hair growing up. At the age of 13, he had different hairstyles in mind that he wanted to attain. He explored the local barber scene and would occasionally see different barbers to achieve the look he was going for. A moment that made an impact & will forever live in his memory is the day he went to get his first cut from Sam Casillas
“When I was 13, a friend of mine took me to see Sammy at his house and I got my first ever fade with a design and it really opened my mind & changed the way I looked at hair-styling.”
After being inspired by the haircut, he started cutting his own hair as well as his friends throughout junior high and high school. Hair-styling was just one of his many interests during his teenage years. Though, he took it serious and was able to learn/practice, he wasn’t convinced that it was his true calling in life.
His real passion came in making music, specifically drumming. He felt that becoming a musician could be his future profession. Drumming took him out to California at the age of 22, where he felt he could meet like minded people and take his skills to another level. Moving in with family made the transition to living in Beaumont a lot easier.
Thereafter getting settled, Fern’s music career didn’t end up going as planned. He had a hard time finding people who understood his musical taste & vision that he sought after. Working seasonal jobs at an Amazon warehouse and Starbucks didn’t make his situation or mindset any better. While living in California, family issues arose putting him in a challenging position.
After a lot of thought, Fern made the decision to leave his dreams behind and come back home to Bullhead City to help out his family. Picking up where he left off previously, he continued with drumming & cutting hair on the side to make some extra money. He soon found a full time job painting houses which he enjoyed but knew he had other talents he could actually use. Fern saw a moment of clarity through this experience,
“I was blinded for 9 years as to what I felt I was meant to do. I was confused as to what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to be a musician - but it didn’t work out. I wanted to join the military - but the recruiter told me my neck tattoo wouldn’t be accepted. Here I was cutting hair successfully though. I had my friend Angel (Elizalde) who was pushing me to give this profession a try. He was trying to help me and lead me on the right path. Both Angel and my friend Dale sparked that motivation for me to come to school.”
Now enrolled at Charles of Italy, Fern has been pursuing his dreams full time. He is now 6 months into his program and has learned a lot more than just styling hair. Cosmetology is a big world that includes different topics such as, proper sanitation, hair, scalp, nail & skin care, anatomy, massaging, hair-styling and hair color of course. The first hour of class is mostly book work that covers the extensive material. After class he hits the salon side to get hands on practice with mannequins and customers that come through the doors.
“I knew I had years of experience and I wanted to learn something new with enrolling. I wanted to learn how to style and color hair, especially female hair. It’s modern and there are more trends to follow. I feel we, as men, have to start thinking differently. There aren’t many men out here doing both male and female hair.”
Being half way through his schooling journey, Fern is now ready to take on new challenges. He is looking for brave men & women who are willing to sit in his chair and let him explore and expand on different cutting / coloring techniques. Don’t be afraid, as he will still have an instructor alongside to guide him through the process. So if you’ve got the long locks or the interest in color, visit Charles of Italy and ask for Fern.