WARSAW — Beauty will be a little easier to attain after Inspire College of Cosmetology opens at 3171 E. Center St. on March 21.

Warsaw’s first beauty school is the dream of Nicole Lawrence, a stylist herself. Lawrence is a licensed cosmetology instructor and she’s excited to develop a new generation of cosmetology professionals.

In August, high school juniors from Warsaw Area Career Center will begin a two-year program that will also prepare them to take the state licensing exam by the time they complete their senior year of high school.

“Our high school students will be career ready when they graduate,” says Lawrence. “Inspire’s partnership with Warsaw Area Career Center is an amazing opportunity for local students who want to move into a skilled profession after completing high school.”

It was a conversation between Lawrence and Ronna Kawsky, director and principal of the Warsaw Area Career Center, that planted the seed that grew into Inspire. WACC students have been requesting cosmetology training for years while, at the same time, Lawrence was developing the idea of her own cosmetology school.

“After all the planning and work to get the building ready, it’s exciting to see everything come together,” Lawrence says.

WACC students from Tippecanoe Valley, Warsaw and Whitko High Schools who are interested in attending Inspire should contact their home school guidance counselors. Adults should contact Lawrence at (574) 221-1492 or [email protected] to enroll in the inaugural class that begins in early April.

“There are so many career opportunities available in the cosmetology field,” Lawrence says. “Hair and nails are only part of this world. There’s also product development and sales, management, aesthetics like skin care and makeup application and, of course, teaching.”

When Inspire’s doors open next month Lawrence will accept adults from the area who want to make the world a brighter place one head of hair (or fingernail or toenail) at a time. The one-year program for adults provides the training necessary for them to take the Indiana State Board of Cosmetology licensing exam.

A community grand opening ceremony is also planned for April.