We were so excited to have the opportunity to sit down and chat with Sally Rogerson, Founder and Creative Director of SR Education. Sally is passionate about designing programs and classes that speak to the unique needs of salons, stylists and cosmetology schools. S•R Education believes in high-quality, modern and relevant hair education through a personalized and hands-on approach.

how did you get into the beauty industry?

At 16, I was living in a small town in England with my parents. I got really good grades in school and was studying math and economics. I was also very creative. Shopping for second hand clothing and remaking it was a passion of mine. I was that goth punk kid into music and fashion. Mostly I was looking for a career in a creative industry that would get me out of the small town life.

One day I went to a hair show. I was amazed and intrigued by these platform artists creating amazing and beautiful work on stage. I decided these people were very cool, and kind of weird, and I could definitely see myself getting into this field.  When I told my parents my plan to go into hairdressing, it was met with the same response many of us got – “No you aren’t! You’re too smart….”  So I left home at 16 and began my 3 year apprenticeship with Vidal Sassoon in London.

when did you discover your passion for education?

My dad was a math teacher so it actually came very natural to me. After a time, I began teaching the assistants at Sassoon and worked my way up to Creative Director of the Vidal Sassoon Academy in London. I love sharing my knowledge with others and watching them grow and succeed. There is such gratification for me in that.

what made you decide to open your own school?

This was always my dream, my end goal. I left Sassoon after 21 years so that I could write my own programs and curriculum. My school opened in Scottsdale, Arizona in July of this year and we are already in week 13! I am seeing such amazing things from my students.

SR Academy offers cosmetology teacher training and mentorship courses that provide current and prospective instructors with the tools necessary to train the cosmetologists of tomorrow.

In addition to these classes, SR Education also offers intensive, 2-day in-person cutting programs for stylists wanting to learn the theory and foundations of haircutting.

what is the best advice you ever got?

The best advice I think I ever got was from Vidal himself.  He said to always be humble. Be confident but always be humble.

what are the tools you just can’t live without?

My YS Park Combs! I love the grip and the quality of these combs. They have a parting head, different widths of the teeth and flexibility. They are heat resistant and the holes in the spine act not only as a measuring device, but to provide comfort in grip.

I also love my equipment case. Because I could never find a case I liked to organized my tools – I designed my own! Check it out here.

We know you will want to learn more about Sally, so visit her WEBSITE and INSTAGRAM to learn more about her incredible work.