Erica Menendez from Career Academy of Beauty won the prestigious 1st place award in the 5th Annual Nuts and Bolts International Business Student of the Year Competition.

As 2nd place winner, Erica received a prize package worth $4,684 including the following:

NUTS AND BOLTS:
• Cash prize of $1,000
• Clarisonic Mia 2: Cleansing Brush (value of $150)
ASSOCIATED HAIR PROFESSIONALS: Membership in our hair and nail association (AHP) – $179
DERMALOGICA: Gift basket worth $200
NOVALASH: Kit worth $180, Eyelash Extension gift certificate worth up to $680, Choice of 2 Training Courses worth as much as $2,430
DINAIR: Airbrush Make-up Kit worth $270
OPI: Avoplex Trial Kits & OPI Shoulder bags – $375

WATCH: Interview with Erica after winning 1st Place for Esthetics in the 5th Annual IBSY Competition

Sarah Nemmers from Capri College in Iowa was the recipient of the 2nd place International Business Student of the Year Award for the category of Cosmetology. We enjoyed Sarah’s “Tool Time” themed video so much.

As 2nd place winner, Sarah received a prize package worth $2,374 including the following:

NUTS AND BOLTS: Cash prize of $500
WELLA:
• Ready, Set, Go Salon Career ($50)
• Wella: Stylist choice award winner Basket ($350)
SASSOON: Sassoon Collection Barbering DVD – $289
CARLTON HAIR GROUP: Carlton Hair Flat Iron ($150)
SHARK FIN: Student Kit ($660)
OPI: Avoplex Trial Kits & OPI Shoulder bags – $375

WATCH: Interview with Sarah after winning 2nd Place for Esthetics in the 5th Annual IBSY Competition

Sophia Garcia, a graduate from Evergreen Beauty College in Washington State, was awarded with 2nd Place in the 5th Annual Nuts and Bolts International Business Student of the Year Competition for Esthetics. Not only did she submit remarkable up-service and retail sales numbers, but her video was so creative and original!

As 2nd place winner, Sophia received a prize package worth $2,175 including the following:

NUTS AND BOLTS:
• Cash prize of $500
• Clarisonic Mia 2: Cleansing Brush (value of $150)
DERMALOGICA: Gift basket worth $200
NOVALASH: Kit worth $180, Eyelash Extension gift certificate worth up to $680
DINAIR: Airbrush Make-up Kit worth $270
OPI: Avoplex Trial Kits & OPI Shoulder bags – $375

WATCH: Interview with Sophia after winning 2nd Place for Esthetics in the 5th Annual IBSY Competition

Like so many contestants, Kimberlee blew us away with her IBSY entry video. Nothing but sincerity and positivity came across while she was on camera. Be sure to watch both her entry video and her interview after winning the award on stage.

As 3rd place winner, Kimberlee received a prize package worth $1,980.

NUTS AND BOLTS: Cash prize of $250
WELLA:
• Ready, Set, Go Salon Career ($50)
• Wella: Stylist choice award winner Basket ($200)
SASSOON: Latest 3 Collection DVDs: a prize value of $295
CARLTON HAIR GROUP: Carlton Hair Flat Iron ($150)
SHARK FIN: Student Kit ($660)
OPI: Avoplex Trial Kits & OPI Shoulder bags – $375

WATCH: Interview with Kimberlee after winning 3rd Place for Cosmetology in the 5th Annual IBSY Competition

After watching the first couple of testimonials given by Karlene’s clients in her IBSY submission video, it’s no wonder she placed in the top 3 during the Award Ceremony at ISSE. She already had a successful business before receiving her Nuts and Bolts Training, and now her business has more than doubled!

Not only did Karlene win a trophy and international recognition, she also took home a prize package totaling $1,425

NUTS AND BOLTS:
• Cash prize of $250
• Clarisonic Mia 2: Cleansing Brush (value of $150)
DERMALOGICA: Gift basket worth $200
NOVALASH: Kit worth $180
DINAIR: Airbrush Make-up Kit worth $270
OPI: Avoplex Trial Kits & OPI Shoulder bags – $375

Watch both videos to get an idea of what a remarkable person this graduate of Evergreen Beauty college is.

WATCH: Interview with Karlene after winning 3rd Place in the 5th Annual IBSY Competition

Pictured: Erica Menendez, 1st place Esthetics with Jim Yates, Kelly Mallery (center) between owners of Career Academy of Beauty, Dayna Pattison and Cari Eisele

This year, 1st place titles in both the categories of Esthetics and Cosmetology went to students from Career Academy of Beauty in California. Kelly Mallery was awarded 1st place in the cosmetology category, taking home a prize package totaling over $4,000 from Nuts and Bolts and industry partners like Sassoon, Wella and Novalash. Erica Menendez won 1st place for Esthetics and received over $4,000 in prizes, too. (*See below for a full list of prizes and prize sponsors).

Pictured: Sophia Garcia, 2nd place Esthetics (with Jim Yates) and Karlene Winchester, 3rd place Esthetics, both from Evergreen Beauty College in Washington

“It is truly inspiring to see these students so galvanized to be extraordinary using their Nuts and Bolts education,” said Nuts and Bolts President and CEO Jim Yates. “Everyone wants to succeed – that’s no secret; but without the proper foundation and guidelines, it’s like sailing in the dark. And that’s why I’m so gratified to see these students putting in motion all the tools they’ll need to achieve their goals – and our Nuts and Bolts students dream big! I feel like a proud parent.”

Pictured: Kimberlee Earl, 3rd place Cosmetology with owners of American Beauty Academy, Sarah Nemmers, 2nd place Cosmetology from Capri College in Iowa.

Every Nuts and Bolts-affiliated school nominates a top performer to be in the running as an IBSY finalist. The judging criteria are based on: retail sales, up servicing, average ticket sales and customer service. Students also had to impress with a 3-5 minute video showcasing how they are applying their Nuts and Bolts training to their career goals.

CLICK HERE to see photos from the red carpet
CLICK HERE to see all of the photos from the Recognition Ceremony

Category:

COSMETOLOGY

Melissa Kotkin
Capri Cosmetology Learning Center, Newburgh

Bethany Richardson
Hair Arts Academy

Nicole Smith
Hair Arts Academy

Escarlet Robles
Cameo College of Essential Beauty

Andrea Phillips
Cameo College of Essential Beauty

Melissa Farrell
Cameo College of Essential Beauty

Heather Remus
Evergreen Beauty College, Bellevue

Kristopher Powers
Evergreen Beauty College, Bellevue

Kathryn McCormick
Capri Cosmetology Learning Center, Nanuet

Sarah Nemmers
Capri College, Cedar Rapids

Kimberlee Earl
American Beauty Academy

Jeramie Anderson
Stewart School

Morgan Lampe
Hays Academy

Kelly Mallery
Career Academy of Beauty

Ahmed Al Jebori
Evergreen Beauty College, Everett

Ruth Lobb
Evergreen Beauty College, Everett

Marissa Bernegger
Gill-Tech Academy

Category:

ESTHETICS

Dennise Pagen
Capri Cosmetology Learning Center, Newburgh

Trica Muse
Hair Arts Academy

Sophia Garcia
Evergreen Beauty College, Bellevue

Yvette Wesemann
Cameo College of Essential Beauty

Kira Ingledew
Cameo College of Essential Beauty

Erica Menendez
Career Academy of Beauty

Christine Benkovic
Capri Cosmetology Learning Center, Nanuet

Karlene Winchester
Evergreen Beauty College, Everett

Recently at Capri Cosmetology Institute, A professional photography came in and took photos for students who are looking to start building their professional portfolios. These photos are a look behind the scenes!

“These 32 students were the first to receive the NAB diplomas at the glen dow academy since GDA became a member of Nuts and Bolts. Some of these students are graduating from the school in August and September. The information the collected from the NAB business program will have an Impact on their success. Thank you to NAB for providing an excellent program.” -Martin Dow owner / Glen Dow Academy