From Single Mom to Senior Colorist: Sarah Jenkins' Story
"I Loved Attending This School"
When Sarah Jenkins enrolled in the ICBAS cosmetology program in 2023, she was a single mother of two working part-time at a retail store. She had always been passionate about hair — she'd been doing friends' and family members' hair for years — but the idea of going to school full-time felt impossible.
Then she discovered ICBAS and its hybrid format.
Finding a School That Fit Her Life
Sarah had looked at other beauty schools in Los Angeles, but most required full-time, in-person attendance five days a week. With two kids and a part-time job, that schedule was a non-starter.
ICBAS was different. The 50% online, 50% in-person hybrid model meant she could study theory during nap times, after bedtime, and on her lunch breaks — then come to campus for hands-on training on a schedule that worked around her family.
"I could study theory before or after work," Sarah says. "The hybrid format is the only reason I was able to finish."
The Training That Made the Difference
Sarah completed the 1,000-hour cosmetology program in 40 weeks on a part-time schedule. She credits the hands-on training for preparing her for the real world.
"Working with real clients in the student salon was the biggest thing," she says. "By the time I graduated, I'd already done dozens of color services, cuts, and blowouts. I wasn't nervous walking into my first job — I was ready."
She also highlights the instructors: "They were so helpful and helped me step by step on my journey. The instructors provided real guidance and hands-on experience."
Passing the State Board
Sarah passed the California State Board exam on her first attempt — a milestone she credits to the weekly State Board prep built into the ICBAS curriculum.
"We practiced the practical exam format every week," she says. "By the time the actual test came, it felt like just another day at school."
Where She Is Now
Today, Sarah works as a Senior Colorist at a well-known salon in Los Angeles. She specializes in balayage, highlights, and corrective color — services she first practiced on the ICBAS salon floor.
"I went from barely making ends meet to having a career I'm proud of," she says. "And I did it without putting my life on hold."
Her Advice for Future Students
"Don't let your situation convince you it's not possible. I was a single mom with no savings and no experience in a salon. If ICBAS can work for me, it can work for anyone. Just start."
Interested in following a path like Sarah's? Explore the cosmetology program or apply online.