The Salon Professional Academy
The Salon Professional Academy (TSPA) Fort Wayne is a NACCAS-accredited beauty school franchise offering cosmetology, esthetics, manicuring, and instructor training programs, serving aspiring beauty professionals with licensure preparation, hands-on salon training, and career placement support.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersFort Wayne, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Salon Professional Academy does
The Salon Professional Academy (TSPA) Fort Wayne is a privately operated franchise location of a nationwide beauty school network headquartered at 10264 Coldwater Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana. The academy delivers four core educational programs — Cosmetology, Esthetics, Manicuring (450 hours), and Beauty Culture Instructor — designed to be completed in under a year and leading to state licensure. It is accredited by NACCAS, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and holds Redken Diamond Academy status, the highest tier of Redken's business affiliation, with additional brand partnerships spanning Mizani, Milady, Circadia, Tammy Taylor Nails, Farmhouse Fresh, SamVilla, and others.
The business operates a dual-revenue model. The primary engine is student tuition, paid either out-of-pocket or via federal financial aid and scholarships, across its four program tracks. The secondary engine is a student-run salon and spa open to the public, offering discounted haircuts, coloring, facials, waxing, manicures, pedicures, and makeup services performed by students under licensed educator supervision, supplemented by retail sales of professional beauty products. The academy employs 110 people and recruits students through website inquiries, an admissions phone line, campus tours, and open-house events, while also driving guest service traffic through promotional pricing, referral programs, and an active social media presence on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
The Fort Wayne location is one of 30+ independently owned and operated TSPA franchises governed by SPEC Franchise, the franchisor. The network has produced 25,000+ graduates who form an alumni base that supports employer networking and career placement services. Revenue, enrollment figures, founding date, and ownership details of the local franchisee are not publicly disclosed, limiting visibility into unit-level economics.
The Salon Professional Academy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Salon Professional Academy
- Legal name
- The Salon Professional Academy
- Website
- https://tspafortwayne.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- The Salon Professional Academy (TSPA) Fort Wayne is a NACCAS-accredited beauty school franchise offering cosmetology, esthetics, manicuring, and instructor training programs, serving aspiring beauty professionals with licensure preparation, hands-on salon training, and career placement support.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Salon Professional Academy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Beauty and Wellness Education
- NAICS
- Cosmetology and Barber Schools (611511), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cosmetology Schools & Programs (HSALANAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cosmetology (General) (EDAOALAA), Nail Technician Training & Certification (Nail-Focused) (HSALACAN), Nail Technology (Manicure/Pedicure) Training Programs (HSALANAC)
Keywords
Where The Salon Professional Academy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fort Wayne
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Salon Professional Academy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Student Tuition and Program Fees: Revenue from enrolling students in cosmetology, esthetics, manicuring, and instructor training programs. Programs are designed to be completed in less than a year, with tuition and fees covered through financial aid, scholarships, and out-of-pocket payment.
- Guest Salon Services: The student salon/spa provides beauty services (haircuts, coloring, facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing, makeup) at discounted prices. Services are performed by students under licensed educator supervision, generating revenue from walk-in and appointment-based clients.
- Retail Product Sales: Sale of professional beauty products including Redken haircare, Circadia skincare, Farmhouse Fresh products, and other professional brands to salon guests and students.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Cosmetology Program - Fullbeauty education covering hair, skin, nails, and makeup |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Salon Professional Academy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Salon Professional Academy (TSPA) Fort Wayne is a beauty school franchise that delivers state-licensure-track education programs in Cosmetology, Esthetics, Manicuring, and Beauty Culture Instructor, most completable in under one year. Students gain hands-on practical experience through an on-campus student salon and spa that provides discounted hair, skin, and nail services to the public under licensed educator supervision. The academy also retails professional beauty products from brands such as Redken, Circadia, and Farmhouse Fresh.
Product overview
The Salon Professional Academy (TSPA) Fort Wayne is a beauty school offering a portfolio of four core educational programs (Cosmetology, Esthetics, Manicuring, and Beauty Culture Instructor) that train students for licensure and careers in the beauty and wellness industry. The academy operates a student-run salon and spa where enrolled students practice services on real guests under licensed educator supervision. TSPA is a Redken-affiliated school and part of a nationwide network of 30+ academies, with over 25,000+ graduates. Programs are designed to be completed in under a year, and the school provides financial aid, scholarships, and career services to support student success.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Cosmetology Program Comprehensive cosmetology training program covering hair, makeup, skincare, and nail care techniques with Redken expertise and hands-on salon/spa training, preparing students for state cosmetology licensure.
- Esthetics Program Skincare training program preparing students for esthetics licensure and careers in spas, med spas, and dermatology clinics, utilizing Circadia professional-grade skincare products.
- Manicuring Program 450-hour nail technology training program teaching manicures, pedicures, nail enhancements, and nail art using Tammy Taylor Nails products and methods, preparing students for manicurist licensure.
- Beauty Culture Instructor Program Instructor training program for licensed cosmetologists to become beauty educators, teaching them how to mentor and train future beauty professionals.
- Student Salon & Spa Services Hands-on beauty services performed by students under licensed educator supervision, including haircuts, coloring, highlights, facials, waxing, manicures, pedicures, and makeup applications, offered to the public at reduced prices.
Quantifiable outcome
- Most programs take less than a year to complete, enabling faster entry into the workforce compared to traditional 4-year degrees
Companies that use The Salon Professional Academy
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Salon Professional Academy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Salon Professional Academy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- RedkenflagshipRedken is TSPA's primary brand partner providing curriculum content, educator training, and professional haircare products. TSPA Fort Wayne holds Diamond Academy status, the highest level of Redken affiliation, recognizing excellence in education and commitment to the brand. Students receive Redken-specific training and use Redken products in services.
- MizanicoreProfessional hair care brand specializing in textured hair and multicultural beauty. Mizani provides educational support for textured hair diversity training, including events like the Texture Love parent education program and classroom instruction on curly and coily hair care.
- MiladycoreLeading publisher of beauty education textbooks and learning materials. Milady provides the foundational curriculum and textbooks used in TSPA programs, ensuring standardized, comprehensive education aligned with state licensing requirements.
- Tammy Taylor NailscoreProfessional nail care brand providing products and training for the Manicuring Program. TSPA uses Tammy Taylor products exclusively for manicuring services, and students learn nail techniques using brand-approved methods.
- CircadiacoreProfessional skincare brand known for science-backed formulations based on chronobiology. Circadia products are used in esthetics training and services, giving students experience with professional-grade skincare lines.
- Farmhouse FreshminorSpa-quality skincare brand that donates a portion of proceeds to animal rescue organizations. Products feature natural ingredients and are used in body treatments and skincare services. Partnership aligns with TSPA's community-focused values.
- NACCAScoreNational Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences provides programmatic accreditation for cosmetology, esthetics, and manicuring programs, ensuring compliance with industry standards.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Salon Professional Academy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Empire Beauty Schools: Largest US cosmetology school chain with 80+ locations offering cosmetology, esthetics, and nail programs under a franchise-style model. Directly comparable as a multi-state beauty career school serving similar prospective students with similar licensure-focused programs.
- Aveda Institute: Network of Aveda-branded cosmetology and esthetics schools operated in partnership with Estée Lauder brands. Directly comparable as a brand-affiliated beauty career school offering cosmetology, esthetics, and instructor training programs at similar price points.
- Ogle School: Regional cosmetology, esthetics, and nail school operating multiple Texas campuses with student salon services. Comparable as a privately operated beauty career school with similar program mix and student-run clinic model.
- Sassoon Academy: Premium international hairdressing education brand offering full cosmetology and advanced education programs. Comparable as a brand-led cosmetology school with strong industry reputation, though positioned at the higher end of the market.
- Paul Mitchell Schools: National network of cosmetology and barbering schools co-branded with Paul Mitchell, offering similar cosmetology and esthetics programs. Directly comparable multi-location brand-affiliated beauty school with student salon services and similar target student demographic.
- Xenon International Academy: Multi-state cosmetology and esthetics school with Redken affiliation and student salon services. Comparable as a brand-affiliated cosmetology school with overlapping curriculum partnerships and similar licensure preparation focus.
- Tricoci University of Beauty Culture: Multi-location cosmetology, esthetics, and nail technology school with student-run clinics in the Midwest. Directly comparable regional beauty career school offering overlapping programs, brand partnerships, and student salon service revenue model.
Others
- Milady (Cengage Learning): Leading publisher of cosmetology and esthetics textbooks and curriculum, listed as a TSPA partner. Comparable as a curriculum/educational content supplier rather than a direct competitor, providing the foundational learning materials used across the industry including by TSPA programs.
Emerging players
- Regis Hair Institutes / Regis Education Group: Education arm of Regis Corporation providing cosmetology and barbering licensure programs through partner schools. Comparable as a multi-school beauty education provider with similar industry alignment and licensure focus.
- Younique Beauty School: Smaller multi-location cosmetology and esthetics school chain with student salon services and career placement support. Comparable as a regional beauty career school serving similar prospective students with overlapping programs.
Market position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Salon Professional Academy social profiles
Digital presenceThe Salon Professional Academy compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
The Salon Professional Academy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Salon Professional Academy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
The Salon Professional Academy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Salon Professional Academy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Salon Professional Academy
What does The Salon Professional Academy do?
The Salon Professional Academy (TSPA) Fort Wayne is a beauty school franchise that delivers state-licensure-track education programs in Cosmetology, Esthetics, Manicuring, and Beauty Culture Instructor, most completable in under one year. Students gain hands-on practical experience through an on-campus student salon and spa that provides discounted hair, skin, and nail services to the public under licensed educator supervision. The academy also retails professional beauty products from brands such as Redken, Circadia, and Farmhouse Fresh.
Is The Salon Professional Academy a public or private company?
The Salon Professional Academy is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Salon Professional Academy founded?
The Salon Professional Academy was founded in -1. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is The Salon Professional Academy based?
The Salon Professional Academy is headquartered in Fort Wayne, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Salon Professional Academy make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Student Tuition and Program Fees are the primary driver. The others are guest Salon Services and retail Product Sales.
Who are The Salon Professional Academy's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Empire Beauty Schools, Aveda Institute, Ogle School, Sassoon Academy, Paul Mitchell Schools, Xenon International Academy and Tricoci University of Beauty Culture. Milady (Cengage Learning) is listed as an others. Emerging players are Regis Hair Institutes / Regis Education Group and Younique Beauty School.
Does The Salon Professional Academy have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Salon Professional Academy.
What industry is The Salon Professional Academy in?
The Salon Professional Academy's product category is Beauty and Wellness Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSALANAA, Cosmetology Schools & Programs, with a secondary code of EDAOALAA, Cosmetology (General). Its NAICS code is 611511 and its SIC code is 8200.