Alumni Spotlight: 2009 Graduate Brian Pham
Phagans graduate Brian Pham is a hairdresser and district trainer for Regis.
When did you attend Phagans?
I graduated in 2009 and was a full-course student. I chose Phagans after looking at several other schools and decided Phagans was the best out of all of them and also had financial aid available, which helped me get through school, because I didn’t have much money.
Why did you choose the beauty industry?
I changed because I was bored with my job, which was electrical engineer. I’d been doing it for about 2-1/2 years and I realized that I was more of a people-person. A few people in my family did do nails and that’s why I came to school, but then I fell in love with hair.
What …
Barbara Climaldi: Looking Back on 2012, Looking Forward to 2013
It’s amazing to me that we get to contribute to our students’ success and that this small contribution is reflected in our school’s success.
Meet Phagans Instructor Keilee Hoag
Welcome to Phagans Keilee, how long have you been with us?
It’s been three and a half months now.
How did you get started in this industry?
It’s always been a passion. I was involved in dance recitals when I was younger and always liked the hair and make-up part of it. This was something that carried with me through High School, and I started in beauty school with Paul Mitchell at 17, while I was still in school.
Tell me about going to beauty school.
It was a lot of fun. I went to a platform artist school, which was a really cool experience. I liked the upbeat environment and the teachers were amazing. I found out that I really liked to cut hair. I was …
Meet Elisa Simko, Phagans Director of Financial Aid
I help students apply for financial aid and understand their financial aid options. I also help prepare them to support themselves through school and beyond.
Peek a Boo: Brighten Your Look with Fashion Highlights
Peek-a-boo highlights in fashion colors give you work-friendly conservative color, but with enough splash for nightlife.
Let Phagans Rescue Your Ailing Nails
FINALLY, warm and sunny days are here, but beware that all that fun in the sun can wreak havoc with the nails on your hands and feet.
Q&A with Jerry Kallioinen, Phagans’ Director of Education
Be willing to make a lifestyle change and don’t get discouraged by the challenges.
How to Use Hairspray to Achieve Your Best Style
The first step in using hairspray is to choose just the right type of spray for your hair type and the style you are going for.
Interview with Nancy Ripp, Director of Education, Phagans Clackamas Campus
I learned a lot about myself…good and bad! I learned that I liked doing hair, and the instructors meant business. I had a good education. It was physically and emotionally taxing – it wasn’t easy. I had to grow up because this was the real world!
Phagans Success Story – Former Student Opens Her First Portland Salon
When Heidi Aldana worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant one of her favorite parts of the job was working on patients’ hair and makeup.
Phagans graduate Heidi Aldana's first salon, Studio 90.
So when the native Guatemalan found herself unemployed she decided to follow a dream that began in her native country and enrolled at Phagans School of Hair Design in Portland. Now, less than 2 years after graduating, Aldana has her own salon.
Phagans was a name that rose to the top during her search for a school, Aldana said. The 30-year-old mother of 4 decided to enroll in the full course after she made an appointment with admissions and visited the school. Since English is her second language she was at first …
