For some people, going to the closest school location just isn’t the right option for their education. This was the case for Michelle Roberts, who ended up needing to travel quite a bit to attend the school that was right for her–Ogle. Read on to learn more about why she made the journey every day and what that did for her career.
Michelle Roberts’ Journey
Why did you choose Ogle?
I did a lot of research. I went to school later in life than most of my classmates, so I wanted to make a very educated decision on where I went to school. And I did a lot of research on a lot of different campuses and toured several different campuses. I just knew when I got here that this was the one.
I actually drove an hour and a half every day to get here. Well, it was about an hour, but with traffic and construction, it was about an hour and a half to get here every day. There was a school about eight miles from my house that was about one-fourth the cost, and I just couldn’t justify it. When you go to school later in life like I did, you want the best education that you can get. And I knew that even though it meant a little more in tuition, it was worth it. And I was absolutely right. It was the best decision.
What are you doing with your cosmetology education?
I currently own a salon inside of the country club in Runaway Bay, Texas. The opportunity came up about three months before I graduated; the salon became available. It wasn’t my original plan, but it was one of those super unique opportunities. And I spoke with my instructors here in detail, and they all said, “Ask them.”
I know I’m missing out on apprenticing and possibly getting a little more of the experience that you learn from working with a more experienced stylist, but with this opportunity, somebody else is going to take it. It was just, every instructor I had told me, “You kind of have to do it.” So I did, and I just jumped in head first.
Do you have any regrets with your cosmetology experience?
Absolutely not. Absolutely not. My instructors were so amazing, and I still can call them in my freakout moments, and they always answer my calls. And just like family, they can, you know, walk me through a panic, or whatever the situation is.
What is your favorite part of cosmetology?
Hair. Everything hair. I know most people’s ultimate goal is to own a salon. It’s amazing, and I love it. I want to be a platform artist. I want to be on the platform. I want everyone to know my name. I’m going to be with the Guy Tangs and the Robert Cromeans. And I want to be up there, compete, and make a difference in the hair industry.
What was your experience like with Face Off?
Face Off is so fun. And I just don’t see how you come to school, to Ogle, and not want to at least try, because that further solidified that I want to be a platform artist, that that’s what I want to do, you know, being there with the lights and the people. And people screaming and whistling at something that you created is incredible. It’s absolutely incredible.
Talk about a time when you had an impact on someone.
It was my first clinic in school. We had to have a model for a free haircut. I’m originally from Colorado. I didn’t know anyone in my area at the time, and I just put an ad on Facebook, on a buy/sell/trade website, for someone to come in and get a free haircut. And this older lady who turned out to live near me came in, and she was just so grateful, and she just felt like she was so beautiful. And she is, to this day, a big part of my life. When I opened the salon, I made sure she was my first client in my chair.
What challenges did you face in school?
Because of my commute, any kind of inclement weather was an issue. It made it a little harder to get from A to B. I had two freezes. I live on the other side of a really long bridge, and it flooded the last week I was in school, and you couldn’t get across the bridge. So my husband drove me all the way around and got us a hotel, and stayed over here, and worked from over here just so that I could come to school and back on my last week. And then my house was hit by a tornado. This is all like the last month of school, was a tornado and the flooding, but you do what you have to do.
How did Ogle help you achieve your goals?
I feel that they set me up to do what I’m doing better than I would have had anywhere else. I don’t think I could have gone to another school and gotten out owning my own salon. I don’t feel like I would have had the tools. I feel like only because of my instructors and the support I had through Ogle am I able to do what I do.
Discover Your Own Beautiful Story
Whether your Ogle location is just down the street or a bit of a journey, Ogle School wants to make it as easy as possible to get the education you need. With the cosmetology program and the esthetics program, you can access a beauty education that really works for your needs. Request more information today to find out how Ogle School could be right for you.
