On February 16th, 2015, The Institute of Beauty and Wellness (IBW) opened its doors in Madison, Wisconsin, with the mission to bring the legacy of Aveda’s full-time Cosmetology program to a new community. With it came the city’s first Esthiology program and a unique three-day accelerated Cosmetology option—planting roots in a bustling space on Campus Mall.
Ten years later, those roots have grown deep. Within the familiar hum of blow dryers and scent of Aveda Chakra 4 Balancing Pure-Fume Mist, the Campus Mall location became more than a school—it became a home. A place where students in black smocks found their passion, where guests sought warmth from the Wisconsin chill, and where educators shaped futures with care and dedication.
As Rachel Hittesdorf, the Spa Team leader, put it “Some (of our) favorite memories are the Charity fashion shows, tent events, and graduation ceremonies. It is always a fun to watch the students be able to give back to their community in a positive way and setting their goals as well as achieving them.”
But now, it is time for a new chapter
Starting May 5th, IBW Madison will officially move from 353 E. Campus Mall to our new home at 7021 Tree Lane on the west side of Madison. The decision was not made lightly, but as our Director Kari Kennedy so aptly put it: “Change is hard, but what an opportunity.”
This relocation is about more than a building. It is about growth—the kind that comes from merging two vibrant communities of students and educators. Our new campus brings together the existing IBW Madison with a talented group of students from a former barber and cosmetology school on the west side. In turn, we are sharing our Aveda mission and esthiology program with them.
Together, we will be offering Cosmetology, Esthiology, and Barbering—reintroducing our Barbery program and expanding our services to a broader, more diverse population in Madison.
At the old location, we service many Universities of Wisconsin-Madison college students and staff currently, as well as the downtown community. With the new location, we will be in more of a shopping district and right across the street from a large Madison high school. Offering our students a new mix of ages, cultures, and lifestyles that make up the city of Madison.
When the opportunity to merge with another school arose, it offered the chance to consolidate resources, expand our offerings, and better serve our students—all while continuing to provide the same high-quality education our community has come to expect.
Of course, letting go of Campus Mall is bittersweet. It is where countless students took their first confident steps toward becoming beauty professionals. Where instructors shared not only techniques but mentorship. Where friendships were forged, careers began, and many unforgettable memories were made.
For students and staff alike, it is not just a building—it is the backdrop to so many personal milestones. And while we are excited for what is next, we are taking time to honor what has been.
Moving to a beauty institute is no small feat. It takes months of planning, coordination, and teamwork. From timelines and checklists to calls with movers and meticulous packing—this move is a full production.
Our team has been hard at work dismantling salon stations, mirrors, styling chairs, product displays, and spa equipment. We are carefully packing facial machines, massage tables, aromatherapy gear, and all the tools and materials our students rely on every day. Even our classrooms—filled with textbooks, mannequins, TVs, and desks—are being moved with care.
One of the most inspiring parts of this transition? The students. This movie is seen as an opportunity to enhance their learning through the movie itself. Giving them instances where they can practice flexibility and grow through changes like shifts happen and plans changing. Many have volunteered to help with the move—not just to lift and pack, but to support their school and each other. It is a reminder that beauty education is not only about technique—it is also about teamwork, adaptability, and rising to a challenge.
“I am very proud of the teamwork, the diligence, and success that was that has come through our transition and moving journey.” -Rachel Hittesdorf
While we will miss our old space, the Tree Lane campus offers exciting new possibilities. Upgraded labs, open studios, innovative technology, and more room to grow—it is everything we need to support our students’ futures.
Educators are already prepping their classrooms, reimagining demos, and dreaming up what’s next. The new campus will give us more tools to teach, more space to create, and more opportunities to serve.
For our current students, this transition is a chance to grow, to adapt, and to be part of something meaningful. For future students, it is an invitation to join a school that is not afraid to evolve—one that believes in the power of change and the promise of what is next.
At IBW Madison, we are not just changing our address. We are expanding our purpose.
So, as we say goodbye to our Campus Mall home, we carry with us the heart and history of everything we have built together. And as we step into Tree Lane, we do so with excitement, pride, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Same mission. Same passion. New possibilities
