There’s nothing like the pressure and excitement of a competition to test a cosmetology student’s skills and readiness for the salon floor. At a recent “Create the Cut” event in Cleveland, contestants were not just competing for a first-place title, they were battling it out for cold, hard cash prizes. 

For the past three years, independently owned and operated Great Clips® salons in the Cleveland area have worked together to host and sponsor a “Create the Cut” competition. At the most recent event held at the Don Umerley Civic Center in Rocky River, local media outlets including Fox 8 Cleveland were there to capture the challenge, as contestants exhibited their professional haircutting and styling skills.  

Competitors were a cut above 

To gain entry to the competition, Cleveland-area students were nominated by their cosmetology school instructors. Not only did the students have the pressure of the competition, but they also had the added pressure of representing their schools! The instructors selected 29 top performing students who were positioned to go head-to-head in healthy competition.  

Participants competed on mannequins, performing three timed haircuts in sequence: a long cut, a medium cut, and a short cut, with approximately 15–20 minutes allotted for each. Five judges circulated the floor during the cutting and assessed the finished results to assign scores.  

The energy ran high as cosmetology instructors and family members showed support for their students. 

Real incentives  

All Great Clips franchisees and salons in the Cleveland market contributed to the cash prizes for the event, including matching gifts for the nominating school. Winners were presented with oversized checks to celebrate their achievement.  

Real effort and excitement 

Great Clips franchisee Alex Harris and his family own and operate 34 Great Clips® salons in Ohio and Florida. According to Alex, the “Create the Cut” event is a real team effort. “Fellow franchisees Clara Osterhage, Lorie Cathcart, Cathy Taggart, and former Great Clips franchisee Kathy Rooney—along with representatives from their salon teams—play a significant role in making the event a success,” Alex said.  

As he reflects on the Cleveland market’s investment of time and resources to execute the event, Alex says it’s worth it. “We’ve had winners who jump up and down, laughing and crying, in total disbelief they have won,” Alex said. “This is always a high-energy event, and seeing the level of participation and the reactions of the winners and their families makes the months of planning worthwhile.” 

A great place to work 

When considering the value this annual competition brings to cosmetology schools and students, Alex is clear. “This is a growth opportunity for students,” he said. “It’s also a chance for us to demonstrate to the next generation of stylists that Great Clips is not simply a large haircut chain, but a network of locally owned and operated businesses that invest in their communities, support local students, and hire local talent.” 

A great opportunity could be waiting for 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.