The Esthetic Institute Training Center

What The Esthetic Institute Training Center does

The Esthetic Institute Training Center (TEI) is a privately held post-secondary educational institution founded in 2009 in Calgary, Alberta, focused exclusively on esthetics and spa therapy training. The institution operates two Calgary campuses (South near Chinook LRT at 7005 Fairmount Drive SE and North near 32 Avenue NE) and serves four primary customer segments: aspiring estheticians, experienced estheticians seeking advanced clinical certifications, international students seeking globally portable credentials, and employer-sponsored trainees using the Canada-Alberta Job Grant. TEI is one of only three schools in Canada accredited to deliver the internationally recognized CIDESCO diploma (approved in 2016), providing graduates with credentials for global employment in luxury spas, resorts, and cruise lines.

The institution offers a broad product surface anchored by 7 diploma programs (CIDESCO Esthetic Diploma, CIDESCO Beauty & Spa Management, CIDESCO Post Graduate, Full Esthetic, Advanced Clinical Esthetic, Nail Technician, and Electrolysis) plus over 70 certifications spanning facials, chemical peels, derma needling, dermaplaning, laser and IPL treatments, microblading, lash extensions, body treatments, makeup, nutrition, and oncology esthetics. Delivery is via in-person, hybrid, and online formats on a Moodle-based LMS with professionally filmed video content. Students train on Health Canada approved medical devices including the InnoPen derma needling system, IPL, Diode Laser, Nd:YAG, radio frequency LED devices, and microdermabrasion equipment. Brand-certified training partnerships with Repêchage, Serene, Esse, Podoexpert, PREempt, and Silhouet Tone supplement the core curriculum.

TEI's business model is dominated by tuition (CA$75 to CA$15,500 per program) with multiple payment pathways including 50% deposits, full payment, Alberta Student Aid loans for five programs, financing through iFinance Canada starting at 7.9%, and the Canada-Alberta Job Grant. Revenue is further diversified through three ancillary streams: training room rentals ($250/day minimum), spa room rental suites ($1,200-$1,500/month full-time, $600/month part-time), and external spa consulting services led by senior instructor Betty Ann Newton. The school also operates the EI Student Spa as a hands-on training and revenue-generating facility. Reported graduation rates are 87.5% (Nail Technician) and 95.6% (Advanced Clinical Esthetic), with job placement rates of 100% and 92% respectively.

Name

The Esthetic Institute Training Center

Legal name

Esthetic Institute

Website

https://estheticinstitute.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Esthetic Institute Training Center is a Calgary-based post-secondary institution offering esthetics, spa therapy, and clinical beauty training across two campuses and 70+ certifications, including one of only three CIDESCO-accredited programs in Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Esthetics and Spa Vocational Education

NAICS

Cosmetology and Barber Schools (611511), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Esthetics & Skincare Training Programs (HSALANAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Esthetics / Skincare (EDAOALAE), Permanent Makeup & Cosmetic Tattoo Training (HSALANAH), Eyebrow & Eyelash Training (Brow Design/Lash Extensions/Lifts) (HSALANAG), Spa & Body Treatment Training (Body Wraps/Scrubs/Hydrotherapy) (HSALANAI), Continuing Education & License Exam Prep (CE/State Board Prep) (HSALANAL)

Keywords

• Esthetics education
• Beauty therapy training
• CIDESCO diploma program
• Clinical esthetics certification
• Post-secondary esthetician training

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Program Fees: Revenue from diploma programs, certification courses, and individual workshops. Programs range from CA$75 to CA$15,500. 50% deposit and full payment options available.
2. Student Aid Administration: Partners with iFinance Canada for financing. Accepts Alberta Student Aid. Licensed for student loans from Alberta Student Aid for five programs.
3. Facility Rentals: Training room rentals at CA$250/day minimum. Spa room rental suites at CA$1,200-$1,500/month for full-time or CA$600/month part-time.
4. Spa Consulting Services: Betty Ann Newton provides spa consulting services including staff training, equipment setup, product recommendations, and business optimization for external spas.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Esthetic Institute Training Center is a post-secondary educational institution that delivers esthetic and spa training programs, including internationally accredited CIDESCO diplomas, full and advanced clinical esthetic diplomas, a nail technician diploma, and over 70 certification courses in facials, laser treatments, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, eyelash extensions, microblading, brow services, and related modalities. Programs are offered in-person at two Calgary campuses, in hybrid format, and fully online, with tuition funded through student loans, iFinance Canada financing, and government grants.

Product overview

The Esthetic Institute Training Center is a post-secondary educational institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of esthetics, spa, and beauty training programs. The institution operates a multi-product educational platform consisting of internationally accredited CIDESCO diploma programs, full esthetic diploma programs, advanced clinical esthetic programs, and specialized certificate programs in laser treatments, skin care, nail technology, makeup artistry, and body treatments. Programs are delivered through in-person, online, and hybrid formats. Additional offerings include spa consulting services, room rental suites, and a student spa for practical training. The institution has received CIDESCO accreditation (one of only three schools in Canada) and maintains partnerships with industry brands including Repêchage, Serene, and Podoexpert for product-specific certifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CIDESCO Esthetic Diploma Program (Beauty Therapy)
• CIDESCO Post Graduate Diploma Program
• Full Esthetic Diploma Program
• Advanced Clinical Esthetic Diploma Program
• Nail Technician Diploma Program
• Facials - Level I (Facial Therapist)
• Facials - Level II Advanced
• Derma Needling Specialist
• Dermaplaning Specialist
• Chemical Peeling - Level I & II
• Microdermabrasion and Hydrodermabrasion Courses
• Laser Level II - Cosmetic Laser & IPL Technician
• Laser Tattoo Removal
• Eyelash Extensions - Level I & II
• Lash Lift & Semi Permanent Mascara
• Brow Lamination
• Microblading - Level I & II
• Manicures, Artificial Nails and Nail Art Courses
• Pedicures Level I & II
• Waxing, Threading and Body Sugaring Courses
• Nutrition to Support Healthy Skin
• Skin Health and the Microbiome
• Professional Teeth Whitening Workshop
• Esse Professional Skin Care Therapist Certification
• Serene Professional Skin Care Therapist Certification
• Podoexpert Product Knowledge Certification
• PREempt Infection Control Workshop
• Répéchage Skin Care Workshops
• Spa Consulting Services
• Spa Room Rental Suites
• Training Room Rentals
• EI Student Spa
• Business of Brows Masterclass
• Beauty & Makeup Lessons for Adults

Quantifiable outcome

• 87.5% graduation rate and 100% job placement rate for Nail Technician Program (Reporting Period: April 1, 2025 - March 31, 2026)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CIDESCO InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2016, TEI was approved to offer the prestigious CIDESCO Program of Esthetics. This internationally recognized diploma provides graduates with a global passport to work worldwide in luxury spas, resorts, and cruise lines. TEI is among only three schools in Canada with this accreditation.
• RepêchagecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepêchage is a premium skincare brand offering complimentary and paid workshops at TEI. Students receive training on Repêchage professional skincare products and treatments. Lydia Sarfati developed the line which is sold in over 45 countries.
• Betty Ann NewtoncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBetty Ann Newton, with over 30 years in the esthetic industry and 20 years as an educator at TEI, provides spa consulting services and leads hands-on workshops. She holds a Masters in Skin Care from Repêchage in New York.
• Beauty DepotminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBeauty product supplier referenced as a retail partner. Students can shop at Beauty Depot after Repêchage workshops. Betty Ann Newton is also a consultant with Beauty Depot.
• Gems for GemsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTEI is a sponsor for this not-for-profit organization helping women who are survivors of domestic abuse. Aligns with TEI's community outreach and Empowering Women initiatives.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Christine Valmy International School: New York-based esthetics and CIDESCO-accredited school. Most internationally comparable peer because of CIDESCO program offering, similar premium diploma positioning, and international student recruitment model.
• National Laser Institute: US-based school specializing in laser, IPL, and medical esthetics training. Most directly comparable peer in the advanced clinical esthetics segment where TEI offers its CA$15,500 Advanced Clinical Esthetic Diploma.
• Vancouver College of Hair and Esthetics: Private vocational school in Metro Vancouver offering esthetics and hair diploma programs. Directly comparable business model — licensed private career college with multiple certifications and government student aid access.
• Canadian Beauty College: Multi-campus private vocational school in Ontario and Alberta offering esthetics, hair, makeup, and nail programs. Comparable operating model to TEI with broader geographic footprint, competing for the same international student pool.
• Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics: New York City esthetics school accredited by NACCAS offering diploma and certificate programs in skin care. Comparable in program structure, accreditation-driven positioning, and reliance on New York metro and international students.
• Blanche Macdonald Centre: Vancouver-based private post-secondary school offering esthetics, makeup, and nail programs. Closest Canadian direct competitor to TEI in size, scope, and program mix, serving a different regional market in Western Canada.

Broad incumbents

• Tricoci University of Beauty Culture: Multi-state US beauty school with esthetics, cosmetology, and nail programs. Comparable program mix but operates at significantly larger scale across multiple US states with a corporate, multi-campus structure.
• Aveda Institute: Network of brand-affiliated beauty schools owned by Estée Lauder. Comparable because it offers esthetics curricula across multiple North American campuses, but operates at much larger scale and as part of a broader beauty brand portfolio.
• Paul Mitchell The School: Nationwide network of cosmetology and esthetics schools in the US and Canada. Comparable in offering esthetics certifications within a brand-affiliated school model, though with a much larger footprint and broader cosmetology focus.

Regional players

• London College of Fashion (LCF): UK-based post-secondary institution offering esthetics and beauty therapy programs, including CIDESCO-aligned curricula. Comparable in curriculum depth and international student appeal, but serves a different geographic market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/theestheticinstitute
• Instagraminstagram.com/theestheticinstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-esthetic-institute-training-center

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Esthetic Institute Training Center