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Recently, Bellevue Beauty School became a member of the Evergreen Beauty College family in the sale of a school which had a long tradition of quality education for the beauty professional. Prior owner Charlotte McBane remains on as an instructor and owner Linda Imhoff is now enjoying her retirement.
Charlotte and Linda were in attendance and pleased with the new energy at the college. The fashion show was rambunctious and loud and students were the models as well as the hair and makeup artists. The interior of the new school showed fine evidence of a total remodel. The reception area hosted a wide screen TV, built in retail shelving, ample seating, and a professional salon décor. The cutting/styling floor is divided into several intimate, yet open, areas where stylist and client have a generous measure of personal space. Each station is graced with coach lighting to better illuminate client hair and features.
The salon colors are taupe, muted greens and earth tones. The walls are adorned with huge black and white headshots, the type which one sees at Tony & Guy and Sassoon's. With the lighting and flooring, the whole effect is one of a successful urban salon. In addition to the usual lineup of cosmetology classes, Evergreen Beauty College offers a business course for all students. Both of the business trainers, Frank Trieu and Theresa Tran, have degrees in Marketing, Finance, and Economics from the University of Washington and Seattle University.
Fifteen years later, she purchased Evergreen, a school she used to clean after hours. "I came to this country 30 years ago, without shoes on my feet, and any understanding of the English language. It's a wonderful industry that has given opportunities for me and my husband and our five children. My goal as an educator is help our students reveal the gifts that are within them." Her children, Frank and Joe, are the new engines that drive the growth of this family business and this great American story. Comments by Attendees: Students Elisa, Kensey and Trisha are graduating in two weeks and are doing the salon tours to see where they would like to work. Mentioned by one is the Garage Salon in the Northgate area of Seattle. Student Hillary is a receptionist at Paradise Salon in Duvall and looks forward to joining their team. Her school partner, Tenea, is excited about working at Salon Just Between Us in Bellevue. When asked about their inspirations to become hairdressers, several mentioned Tabitha of TV fame. Linda Imhoff, Former Owner: Capelli: What are your plans now that you have passed the ownership on and what do you think of the new owners?
Linda Imhoff: Charlotte and I are pleased with the transfer and happy about the energy they bring to the school. I am at home enjoying my time. I am not used to so much time free, but I look forward to new things. I am coming back here next week to see the students and plan more visits.
Betsy McFreely, Seattle Goodwill, mailto:betsymcfeely@seattlegoodwill.org Capelli: Is this a type of event Goodwill likes to be involved with?
Betsy McFreely: It's an opportunity for Goodwill to partner with community organizations, like this school, and show the level of fashion that you can find at Goodwill. If any salons want to hold an event like this, we have a store right up the street, so anyone can call or drop by with their ideas and we will seriously consider them.
Joe Trieu, one of the new owners: Capelli: Is this a family affair?
Joe Trieu: Yes, my brother Frank and sister Teresa are both involved. My mom and my dad were the ones that built this business. We really like the culture in Bellevue. Next week, we are traveling to Portland to enter a competition between Washington and Oregon schools. There probably are about a hundred of us going.
Capelli: What is your ambition for your schools in the next five or ten years?
Joe Trieu: We don't need to be the number one school, but we want to be the most respected. We want to develop our future professionals as artists and as business persons. We include an eight week business program that teaches sales, business management and how to open your own salons. This way, when they go into the business, they have the skills to become salon managers and business leaders.
Visit Evergreen Beauty College at http://www.evergreenbeautybarber.com Edward Paul - Capelli d-Oro©2009 Would you like your article or event to be featured on this site? Then contact Capelli d'Oro today. |
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On April 17, 2009 Evergreen Beauty College hosted "Beauty on a Budget" with the support of Salon 7, Seattle Goodwill and MOViN 92.5 to demonstrate inexpensive ways to look sharp in a tumbling economy.
The classrooms can be united with the removal of room screens to create one large open space for classes, shows, and events. There are several separated shampoo areas and the hairdresser stands behind the onyx bowls to perform shampoos and treatments. 
The founder of Evergreen Beauty College, Thi Trieu, is a refugee of Viet Nam and, after the war, started working in the US as a janitor, and then transitioned to the beauty industry. Soon, she had opened two salons.