Dive into the vibrant world of beauty education as we explore the corridors of The Institute of Beauty and Wellness and its sister institution, Aveda Institute Madison, with director Kari Kennedy. Amidst the bustling activities and innovative projects that characterize these esteemed establishments, one initiative stands out: the Institute Insider podcast series. This compelling platform peels back the layers of mystery surrounding the beauty industry, offering an intimate glimpse behind the scenes at The Institute of Beauty and Wellness.
A Dynamic Environment of Innovation
There’s always a lot happening at The Institute of Beauty and Wellness (and sister school, Aveda Institute Madison) – from guest education to embracing distance learning. One of the latest projects to emerge from the school is the Institute Insider, a podcast series, which delves into the inner workings at The Institute of Beauty and Wellness. For the pilot episode, the Institute Insider met with director Kari Kennedy, who joined the team in 2012 and has served as director since 2017, to learn more about her leadership, professional endeavors, and personal life.
Kari Kennedy’s Journey
Kari’s call begins with a question based on the institute’s tagline, “Your Journey Starts Here“. Like the students they serve, who come from an array of different backgrounds, the podcast sought to uncover what led Kari to the Institute of Beauty and Wellness: her initial experience as a client.
“I got services at The Institute of Beauty and Wellness back when I was in college,” Kari said. “I didn’t know of the Aveda brand until I moved to Milwaukee. I had a friend who received services there and convinced me to try it. As someone with curly hair, I was really nervous about getting my hair cut. But I loved it and went throughout college. Fun fact: Miss Catherine was actually the instructor who oversaw at the time. She always made me feel so confident, and it was such a great experience.”
Once an opportunity opened up to work at The Institute of Beauty and Wellness, she jumped at the chance to get her foot in the door. This led her to meeting the owner of the institute, Susan Haise, who came in that day specifically for Kari’s interview.
“That really made me appreciate the work environment, and how hands-on she was with the interview process. This was also my first experience interviewing with a woman owner, which was really impactful for me,” Kari shared.
Kari got the job and began working as the school’s academic advisor, but her dream was to connect adult learners to their dream careers.
Flourishing in Admissions and Transitioning to Leadership
What Kari enjoyed the most about her first year in this role was seeing a student start and finish school and then start working in that career. On the admissions team, she was able to witness a person grow from just learning a new craft to perfecting it and moving on to take the world by storm.
The admissions team was where Kari flourished until an opportunity came along in 2017 to apply for the director position. Kari felt that her experience in admissions helped set her up for success in her new role.
“I think what happens in admissions is all the excitement,” Kari said. “The school side is about really nurturing the student through that process. There are a lot of different feelings about coming to school. There’s a lot of emotion around it. They want to do it right, they want to be perfect for that guest or that future that they have. I think the biggest surprise for me transitioning from admissions to more of an administrative role is the excitement but also keeping people motivated.”
Passion for People and Programs
Kari is passionate about both the people and the programs. If Kari were to choose a program to pursue at The Institute of Beauty and Wellness, she thinks it would probably be cosmetology because it would allow her to learn other areas like nails and makeup. She also loves the spa experience and would go back to school to be dual-licensed as a cosmetologist and massage therapist.
A Glimpse into Kari’s Personal Life
To understand a little bit more about Kari outside of her role as director, we asked what her favorite things to do in summer are. Like many Wisconsinites, Kari enjoys spending time outside and taking walks through Milwaukee’s various trails and parks. Kari, originally from Texas, was not always an outdoorsy person.
“I remember moving to Wisconsin and people were always like, ‘Let’s go to the park,’ and I was like, ‘Why?’ I couldn’t understand why everyone just wanted to go to the park. I think moving to Wisconsin broadened my experience of being outside and I now truly enjoy it,” Kari Kennedy shared.
One might say that Kari has adapted well to living in the Midwest. The ability to adapt has become a theme in her life and career.
Adapting and Problem-Solving
“One thing that happens with school, and it happens anywhere, is you can plan until your heart’s content on something,” Kari said. “For example, maybe it’s the fashion show, and your planning and everything is in order, but then the microphone doesn’t work. So there is a lot of problem-solving that you have to do on the spot. I think adapting to challenges and finding quick solutions is a key skill in both education and life.”
Join Us and Start Your Journey
Are you ready to embark on your own journey of transformation? Contact our admissions team to learn more about how to get started, or check out more Institute Insider episodes to hear more personal stories. Discover the diverse programs we offer at The Institute of Beauty and Wellness and Aveda Institute Madison, and see how you can turn your passion for beauty into a rewarding career. Join us to transform your passion into a profession and become part of a community that values innovation, sustainability, and above all, the empowerment of its members.