Social Promoter of the Month: Alison Cylwik

Meet this month’s Social Promoter of the Month: Alison “Ali” Cylwik! Ali has been at Summit Salon Academy since September 2021, and we have loved having her as a student! Before enrolling in beauty school, Ali completed Running Start for an AA degree when she was 17 years old. An impressive accomplishment! She then worked as a barista before joining us at Summit Salon Academy. We are excited to have her with us for her journey into the world of Cosmetology!

Get to Know Alison

Ali has always been interested in hair and chose to enter the beauty industry to bless the people around her by helping them with the health of their hair. Another reason Ali chose Cosmetology was for the flexibility the career offers to one day be able to balance her love of hair while focusing her energy on growing a family and being a mom. So far, Ali’s favorite part of the beauty industry is the supportive network of other stylists in her field. She is proud of her individual growth in her skill and character, and so are we!

When Ali isn’t at Summit Salon or practicing her beauty skills, she loves playing the cello, caring for animals, serving at her church, and spending quality time with her loved ones.

Ali on Social Media

Ali knows it can be hard to put your work out there, especially if you don’t feel confident. This is why she thinks it’s so important to keep going; keep posting, sharing and letting people support you in your growth. Ali believes that for students, social media is an opportunity they don’t want to miss because through this platform, students can receive advice and tips from more experienced stylists, get good practice for gaining confidence, and focus on developing a skill that can benefit those around them.

In regards to social media, Ali’s advice to prospective students and stylists is that it doesn’t matter how many likes or comments your post gets. Oftentimes, you have no idea how a post may impact someone’s learning. She says to keep on posting whether you feel like it makes a difference or not. We second this advice, and love Ali’s positive outlook!

Check Out Her Work!

Before beauty school, Ali rarely used her own Instagram account. Now, however, she posts her work at least once a week, but wants to post more! She told us she utilizes social media by following as many stylists and salons as she can so that she is always learning from them. When she posts her own work, she loves to see her development as a stylist. Ali finds it encouraging to see the support from others through all her levels of work.

Since using Instagram to showcase her work, Ali has seen the amazing opportunities that can come from interacting with other salons and stylists. She knows it’s important to stay connected in the community. You can check out her work on her Instagram: @alicylwik.

Why Summit Salon Academy?

We know choosing the right beauty school is a big decision. When we asked Ali what made her choose Summit Salon Academy, she simply said:

“The quality of education, investment, and opportunities they put into their students.”

We strive to give our students the best opportunities, so we’re happy to know Ali feels that way! Now that she’s here, Ali’s favorite thing about Summit Salon Academy is learning so many cool techniques from educators and other students, aside from the basic structural learning of cosmetology.

According to Ali, the most valuable thing she’s learned in school is to “Give yourself grace for the journey, and when you think you can’t take in anymore, keep being present, engaged and learning.” What a great lesson to learn!

Any Advice for Future Students?

The one thing she wants to let future students know is that things don’t necessarily get easier, but you will flourish no matter what comes your way if you count your blessings and have a teachable heart. She says that it’s important to recognize your weak areas and then work at them, rather than avoid them, and knows it’s also important to recognize your stronger areas and be confident in what you have to offer. Amazing advice, Ali!!

Ready to Learn More?

If you have a passion for style, hair and all things beauty related, cosmetology school is a great place to expand your knowledge and skill set to grow in the ever-changing beauty industry. It takes about a year to become licensed in cosmetology and be on your way to a fun and rewarding future.  

If you’re still wondering if this field is right for you, contact us! We’d love to answer any questions and schedule a tour of our school. You can also check out our website, or read some of our past Promoters of the Month stories: 

https://summitsalonacademy.edu/social-promoter-of-the-month-melissa-rich/

https://summitsalonacademy.edu/social-promoter-of-the-month-meghan-lowe/

We can’t wait to hear from you!