“Night to Shine” is a special event hosted by churches all around the world to honor and celebrate people with disabilities. To help community members get ready to attend their local Night to Shine, stylists from franchised Great Clips® salons across the Cincinnati area volunteered at an area cosmetology school’s “Glam Day,” which helps VIP guests feel red-carpet ready. Great Clips stylists were there to work alongside cosmetology students, delivering haircuts and styles that helped everyone sparkle.  

From student to service leader 

The volunteer initiative was led by the Cincinnati market’s design team, which is made up of stylists from locally owned and operated Great Clips® salons. Design team members serve as brand ambassadors at schools and events.   

For design team member Wrylee, participating in the 2026 Glam Day event was deeply personal. “I remember seeing Great Clips come in when I was in cosmetology school,” she said. “I told myself, ‘one day I’m going to be a part of that.’” 

Six years later, Wrylee is an assistant manager, a trainer, and a design team member at a franchised Great Clips salon. “I started in a Great Clips salon right out of school,” Wrylee said. “Volunteering at Glam Day was a full circle moment.” 

Great Clips stylists give back 

The Cincinnati market is very active with local cosmetology schools, and the Glam Day event is one more way area Great Clips salons demonstrate their commitment to community involvement and mentorship. It also helps the next generation of stylists see how rewarding a career at a franchised Great Clips salon can be.  

Real experience for students 

The Glam Day event gave cosmetology students the chance to work alongside professional Great Clips stylists and serve real customers—not mannequins. “Having an actual, live customer in your chair is so much better than just working on a mannequin,” Wrylee explains. “Seeing the customer light up gives a student the ‘that’s why we do this’ spark!” 

The confidence boost that comes when a customer sees themselves in the mirror is what draws many people into the beauty industry in the first place. 

Connecting with professionals 

For students preparing for hair stylist jobs after graduation, real-world experience matters. Events like Glam Day give students exposure to professional stylists who can answer their burning questions about training, income, and growth opportunities in franchised Great Clips salons.  

According to Wrylee, one of the most common questions cosmetology students ask is whether they need to build clientele in a Great Clips salon. “They’re worried about how they’re going to get customers,” Wrylee says. “I always reassure them. The customers come to us, and we have walk-in traffic all the time.” 

Consistent customer flow means new stylists can build confidence quickly while earning steady income, which is a key concern for many recent graduates. 

Another misconception? That working efficiently means sacrificing quality. “I don’t cut hair fast,” says Great Clips National Design Team member Addison. “I cut it efficiently.” 

Efficiency comes from structured training, repetition, and skill building, not rushing customers. “I always tell our new stylists, if you need me, come and get me — no matter what phase you’re in,” Wrylee adds. 

That kind of support and mentorship helps bridge the gap from being a cosmetology school student to becoming a confident, licensed stylist. 

A stable career with plenty of room for growth 

Some students and seasoned stylists are skeptical about Great Clips careers. Samantha, who oversees recruiting and field operations for her franchisee’s organization, understands that perception. 

“In school, I remember hearing some of the concerns,” she says. “Now, I can confidently tell people: if you’re skeptical, let me prove you wrong.” 

Addison agrees. After working independently at a stylist and approaching burnout, he left the industry for a short time before applying at a Great Clips salon on a whim. 

“I was working as a bartender when I saw the job post for salon manager,” he says. “I thought, ‘Sure, why not?’” 

Today, Addison leads a team and cuts hair while participating in industry events, school outreach, and education initiatives. 

“You don’t know what you don’t know,” he says. “Just remain open to opportunities.” 

A great, big family 

One of the biggest differences Addison highlights is the Great Clips culture. 

“It’s not a competition,” Addison says. “We’re all working together. Everybody wants you to succeed. You and I? We can be both great at the same time.” 

In the Great Clips model, stylists don’t have to market to find customers or fill appointment books. That stability allows teams to focus on developing technical skills, supporting one another, and building real connections with customers. 

“Every step of the way,” Wrylee says, “we’ve got you.” 

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All Great Clips® salons are independently owned and operated by third party franchisees. Franchisees, not Great Clips, Inc., are responsible for all hiring and personnel matters at their individual salons.