American Association of Cosmetology Schools

What American Association of Cosmetology Schools does

L'esprit Academy is a family-owned beauty and cosmetology school founded in 2004 by the Wells family, operating two NACCAS-accredited campuses in Canton (8,000 sq ft) and Southfield (7,000 sq ft), Michigan. The school delivers five programs — cosmetology (1,500 hours), esthetics (750 hours), manicuring (600 hours), cosmetology instructor (600 hours), and limited instructor (300 hours) — using a hybrid model that pairs in-person practical training with online content delivered via Microsoft Teams and Milady's CIMA portal. NACCAS accreditation and U.S. Department of Education Title IV approval underpin enrollment by unlocking federal student aid, Pell Grants, and access to state workforce programs (Michigan Works, Michigan Rehab) alongside zero-interest in-house payment plans.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition ($3,000–$20,750 per program) and a $65 enrollment fee, with a secondary stream from a public-facing student salon offering discounted hair, skin, nail, lash, waxing, and makeup services performed by supervised students. The school serves aspiring beauty professionals — high school graduates, career changers, and working adults pursuing state licensure — and differentiates through brand-aligned curriculum partnerships with Dermalogica, Redken, Mizani, Pureology, Borboleta, Berodin, Scrummi, Pigment Cosmetics, Milady, and Tammy Taylor Nails, plus a family-run heritage and a reported 100% State Board Licensure pass rate (per the 2022 NACCAS Annual Report).

The go-to-market is sales-led admissions with year-round start dates and direct outreach by admissions advisors across digital channels (website, SEO, Facebook, Instagram, X, Pinterest, TikTok) and opt-in SMS. Stacy Wells — daughter of founders Peter and Sally Wells — currently serves as owner and sits on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), the industry association of which the firm is a member.

Name

American Association of Cosmetology Schools

Legal name

L'esprit Academy

Website

https://lespritacademy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Family-owned, NACCAS-accredited beauty school operating two Michigan campuses in Canton and Southfield, offering state-licensed programs in cosmetology, esthetics, manicuring, and instructor training with hybrid learning via Milady CIMA and Microsoft Teams.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Beauty and Wellness Education (Post-Secondary Cosmetology School)

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAOALAA

Cosmetology (General)

Education/Vocational, Technical & Trade Education/Beauty, Cosmetology & Personal Care Training

SECONDARYHSALANAA

Cosmetology Schools & Programs

Home & Personal Services/Personal Care & Beauty Services/Beauty Schools & Training (Cosmetology/Esthetics/Nails)

SECONDARYHSALANAK

Salon Business, Management & Retail Training

Home & Personal Services/Personal Care & Beauty Services/Beauty Schools & Training (Cosmetology/Esthetics/Nails)

SECONDARYEDAOALAB

Hair Styling & Cutting

Education/Vocational, Technical & Trade Education/Beauty, Cosmetology & Personal Care Training

Keywords

• Cosmetology education
• Beauty school training
• Esthetician programs
• Manicuring instruction
• Licensed instructor training

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Revenue: Primary revenue from tuition fees charged for cosmetology, esthetics, manicuring, and instructor training programs. Tuition ranges from $3,000 to $20,750 depending on program. Additional revenue from kit, books, and uniform fees totaling $200-$2,410 depending on program.
2. Enrollment Fees: Non-refundable enrollment fee of $65 ($50 application fee and $15 State of Michigan Registration fee) charged to all enrolled students.
3. Student Salon Services: Public-facing student salon offering haircuts, coloring, nail services, facials, waxing, and makeup at discounted school prices. All services performed by students under licensed instructor supervision.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

L'esprit Academy delivers accredited state-licensed cosmetology, esthetics, manicuring, and instructor training programs (ranging from 300 to 1500 clock hours) through a hybrid model that pairs in-person practical training at two Michigan campuses with online learning delivered via Microsoft Teams and the Milady CIMA portal. The school also operates a public-facing student salon where supervised students provide discounted hair, skin, nail, and lash services to local consumers. Revenue is generated primarily through tuition, mandatory kit/books/uniform fees, and ancillary fees, with secondary revenue from the student salon.

Product overview

L'esprit Academy offers a portfolio of beauty and wellness education programs: Cosmetology (1500 hours), Esthetics (750 hours), Manicuring (600 hours), and Instructor Training (600 hours for cosmetologists, 300 hours for estheticians/manicurists). All programs combine hands-on instruction with online learning via Microsoft Teams and Milady's CIMA portal. The school also operates a public-facing student salon where enrolled students provide supervised beauty services. Financial aid and payment plans are available for all programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cosmetology Program A 1500-hour state-licensed cosmetology program teaching hair cutting, styling, coloring, extensions, braiding, texture services, chemical services, makeup, skincare, nail care, and nail art, available in full-time and part-time schedules with hybrid learning. Tuition $20,750, kit/books/uniform $2,410, total $23,160.
• Esthetics Program A 750-hour esthetics program covering facials, facial massage, hair removal, body treatments, makeup application, and lash services, available full-time (~6 months) or part-time (~9 months) with hybrid study. Tuition $12,900, kit/books/uniform $2,200, total $15,100.
• Manicuring Program A 600-hour (30-week hybrid) manicuring program teaching manicures, pedicures, nail tips, nail enhancements, acrylics, nail shaping, and spa treatments, with part-time day and night options. Tuition $8,000, kit/books/uniform $2,000, total $10,000.
• Cosmetology Instructor Training A 600-hour course for licensed cosmetologists preparing them to teach, covering classroom preparation, curriculum development, lesson planning, teaching methodology, and technical demonstrations. Tuition $5,500, books $500, state fee $15, total $6,015.
• Limited Instructor Training A 300-hour course for licensed manicurists or estheticians covering classroom and curriculum preparation, lesson planning, and teaching methodology. Tuition $3,000, books $300, total $3,300.
• Student Salon Services Public-access salon offering hair services, color services, nail services, facials, waxing, makeup application, lash services, and skincare treatments performed by supervised students at discounted school prices at both Canton and Southfield campuses.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% State Board Licensure Pass Rate
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• DermalogicaminorOthersProfessional skincare brand partner. Used for esthetics student training in facials, peels, and advanced skincare treatments. Dermalogica Pro facials offered in student salon.
• RedkenminorOthersProfessional hair color and styling brand partner used for cosmetology student training in hair coloring and texturizing services.
• MizaniminorOthersProfessional hair care brand specializing in texturizing and styling products, used for cosmetology training.
• PureologyminorOthersProfessional hair color care brand providing products for student training in color services.
• MiladycoreTechnology or IntegrationIndustry-standard curriculum provider. L'esprit Academy uses Milady curriculum and CIMA online portal for hybrid learning delivery. Tammy Taylor Nails curriculum also integrated.
• Tammy Taylor NailscoreTechnology or IntegrationNail care curriculum partner. Tammy Taylor Nails content integrated into manicuring program alongside Milady curriculum.
• BorboletaminorOthersLash extension brand used for esthetics student training in lash services including classic, volume, and hybrid lash extensions.
• BerodinminorOthersWaxing and hair removal product brand used for student training in face and body waxing services.
• ScrummiminorOthersDisposable hair care products brand providing supplies for student salon services.
• Pigment CosmeticsminorOthersMakeup brand used for esthetics student training in makeup application services.
• American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association membership. Stacy Wells serves as Director on the AACS Board. Association provides advocacy, resources, and standards for cosmetology schools.
• beautychangeslives.orgminorGTM or Marketing PartnerScholarship provider for aspiring beauty professionals. Listed as scholarship resource for prospective students.
• beautyschools.orgminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry directory and scholarship resource for beauty school students.
• beautyschoolsdirectory.comminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeauty school search directory and scholarship resource for prospective students.
• getyourdreamjob.comminorGTM or Marketing PartnerScholarship provider for aspiring professionals, referenced as financial resource for prospective students.
• Michigan WorksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMichigan state workforce development program. Listed as state program option for tuition assistance.
• Michigan RehabminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMichigan state vocational rehabilitation program. Listed as state program option for tuition assistance.
• MESP (Michigan Education Savings Plan)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMichigan state education savings program. Listed as payment option for tuition.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LespritAcademy
• Facebookfacebook.com/LespritAcademy
• Instagraminstagram.com/lespritacademy
• Pinterestpinterest.com/lesprit/?eq=LespritAc&etslf=9505
• TikToktiktok.com/@lespritacademybeauty
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-association-of-cosmetology-schools

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about American Association of Cosmetology Schools