Paul Mitchell Logan school officially in business
By: Jackson Murphy
They have been operating for a year and half, but on Nov. 10, Paul Mitchell The School Logan made it official.
Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the grand opening for Logan’s little but eager hair school — an opening that both students and Paul Mitchell The School Logan owner and operator Devri Ficklin had been preparing for a very long time.
“In order to be an official Paul Mitchell school you have to brand it,” Ficklin said. “We’ve moved walls, we’ve redone doors, windows, everything. Anyone who knew this school before would not recognize it. Once we’ve done that then we have to get on the schedule, and it takes a while to get on John Paul’s schedule.”
There are 120 Paul Mitchell schools open in the United States and primary owner, industry billionaire and philanthropist John Paul DeJoria flies — on his private jet — to the grand opening of each one.
“It’s important that the person who started the company is there, telling people this is still cool,” DeJoria said.
DeJoria partnered with the school’s current dean, Winn Claybaugh, 15 years ago after searching the United States for a school that had both a good energy and offered a great education. The school that he liked best was located in Provo, Utah and at the time was owned by Winn Claybaugh.
“As it turned out, the gentleman who owned the school happened to be one of our corporate motivators,” said DeJoria. “It was just perfect. I sat down with Winn and made the decision to invest millions of dollars into a school program. We would take what was going on there and enhance it. And make it really great when it came to hair cutting, hair coloring, hair styling, everything. And then put a culture in it.”
Devri describes the school culture as the most essential part. Beyond just constantly helping lift up students in the school, “We find people who need help and we reach out to them,” she said.
In 2014 Paul Mitchell The School Logan raised $24,000 for charities locally, nationally and internationally, donating $1,200 of those funds directly to the Family Place in Logan. According to their website, Paul Mitchell schools have cumulatively raised more than $15 million for charities.
While giving is a huge part of the culture they try to foster at Paul Mitchell schools, Dejoria said students can also expect an incredible education.
“Our philosophy was to teach them, not just take their money so they can pass the state exam, but how can we really create a career for you,” said DeJoria. “So that they would not just be good but really good. And then know things they normally wouldn’t teach you in school like marketing, merchandising, display, how to talk to people properly.”
Former Utah State University student Cody Sheffey and current Paul Mitchell school student said he has learned all of that and more during his time at the school.
“It’s a very loving and warm and open-armed community we have here at this school,” Sheffey said.
Once graduated, Sheffey hopes that he can use what he learned from school to bring back the tradition of barbering and to own and operate his own shop.
Along with DeJoria, the school’s dean, the chamber of commerce, franchise owners, teachers and most of the almost 70 students gathered for the ceremony and luncheon.
Logan’s Paul Mitchell school offers all the services of a full-service spa and salon. All services are performed by students under the instruction of licensed teachers.
“If you want to be career-minded, you’ve come to the most ideal place. If you want to expand in beauty and be creative and learn a fabulous career, dot-dot-dot — welcome home,” DeJoria said.
For more information about the Paul Mitchell Logan school, visit paulmitchell.edu/logan.
— jacksonmurphy111@gmail.com