Raphael's School of Beauty Culture, Inc.

What Raphael's School of Beauty Culture, Inc. does

Raphael's School of Beauty Culture, Inc. is a private, family-owned vocational education institution operating seven campuses across Ohio (Brunswick, Boardman with two sites, Alliance, Niles with two sites, North Olmsted, and Willoughby). Founded in 1958 as McKinley Heights College of Cosmetology and rebranded following purchases in 1970 and 2006, the school is now owned by Ralph P. Delserone III and has been in its third generation of family leadership since 2020. The institution offers six state-approved licensure programs: Advanced Cosmetology (1,800 hours), Barbering (1,800 hours, Niles only), Advanced Esthetics (750 hours), Advanced Manicurist (300 hours), Massage Therapy (900 hours, Boardman only), and Instructor Training. The core technology is a hybrid learning platform combining online theory coursework with hands-on, in-person practical training, supplemented by a walk-in Student Salon & Spa where supervised students provide paid services to the public, generating secondary revenue and real-client practice opportunities.

The company's substantive technical components are limited: an in-development Distance Learning mobile app (2025) for grades, attendance, course hours, job search, and financial aid document signing is the primary digital asset. The school maintains an extensive ecosystem of brand partnerships with professional beauty product and equipment companies including Paul Mitchell, Dermalogica, Pravana, Sexyhair, Hydrafacial, Young Nails, Apres, Amber Products, and STI, which supply training products and lend industry credibility. Hydrafacial training within the Advanced Esthetics program is highlighted as a differentiator, with the school being one of few nationally offering it within an esthetics curriculum. Other minor partnerships include Geneo, Celluma, and Crown Brush for esthetics and makeup training.

The business model is primarily tuition-driven, with federal financial aid (Pell Grants, Direct Student Loans) available for eligible programs. Secondary revenue streams include student salon services (haircuts $7-10, gel manicures from $25, Hydrafacial $55, massage $45-60) and a branded merchandise shop. The GTM motion is sales-led and admissions-driven, relying on personal campus tours, admissions advisors, an interactive program quiz, content marketing (blog, social), and BBB/AACS credentialing to attract prospective students. Customer concentration is inherently low since the customer base is individual students, with no large enterprise or B2B concentration. The school has expanded to seven campuses and added a dedicated massage facility in 2023, with credentialing maintained through AACS membership and BBB A+ accreditation, including the 2026 BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Trust.

Name

Raphael's School of Beauty Culture, Inc.

Legal name

Raphael's School of Beauty Culture, Inc.

Website

https://raphaelsbeautyschool.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Raphael's School of Beauty Culture is a private, family-owned vocational beauty school operating seven campuses across Ohio, offering state-approved licensure programs in cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, manicuring, massage therapy, and instructor training, with a walk-in student salon providing real-client practice.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational 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), Esthetics & Skincare Training Programs (HSALANAB), Hair Styling & Cutting (EDAOALAB), Nail Technology (EDAOALAG)

Keywords

• Beauty school education
• Cosmetology training programs
• Barbering vocational training
• Esthetician certification programs
• Massage therapy training

Headquarters

HQ city

Brunswick

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Revenue: Primary revenue from tuition fees for beauty education programs including cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, nail technology, massage therapy, and instructor training. Financial aid including Pell Grants and Direct Student Loans available for eligible students.
2. Student Merchandise Sales: Sales of branded apparel including T-shirts, long sleeves, crewnecks, and sweatshirts through the school's merchandise shop.
3. Student Salon Services: Low-cost salon and spa services performed by students under instructor supervision, including haircuts, coloring, manicures, pedicures, facials, waxing, and massage therapy services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Raphael's School of Beauty Culture operates a multi-campus vocational institution providing state-licensed training programs in cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, nail technology, massage therapy, and instructor training. The school combines classroom theory with hands-on practical training delivered through its student salon and spa facilities, where students perform real services on paying clients under instructor supervision.

Product overview

Raphael's School of Beauty Culture is a multi-location beauty and wellness education institution operating seven campuses across Ohio (Brunswick, Boardman, Alliance, Niles, North Olmsted, Willoughby, and Niles Barbering). The institution offers a portfolio of six educational programs: Advanced Cosmetologist Program (1,800 hours), Barbering Program (1,800 hours, Niles campus only), Advanced Esthetician Program (750 hours), Advanced Manicurist Program (300 hours), Massage Therapy Program (900 hours, Boardman campus only), and Instructor Training Program. All programs follow a trainable-from-beginners model despite 'Advanced' labeling. Students gain hands-on experience through the Student Salon & Spa Services, a walk-in facility where supervised students provide real-client services. The institution also operates a Merch Shop selling branded apparel. The programs collectively prepare graduates for careers in hairstyling, skincare, nail artistry, massage therapy, and beauty education, with job placement assistance and financial aid available for eligible students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Advanced Cosmetologist Program A comprehensive 1,800-hour cosmetology training program covering hair design, color theory, skincare, and nail artistry. Designed for individuals pursuing state licensure as cosmetologists, with flexible day and evening schedules and completable in 13-16 months.
• Barbering Program A 1,800-hour barbering program focusing on American barbering techniques including haircutting, beard grooming, and shaving. Offered exclusively at the Niles campus for individuals pursuing barber licensure.
• Advanced Esthetician Program A 750-hour advanced esthetics program covering basic and advanced skincare techniques, facial treatments, body therapies, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels. Includes specialized Hydrafacial training. Designed for individuals seeking esthetician licensure.
• Advanced Manicurist Program A 300-hour nail technology program covering professional manicures, pedicures, nail enhancements, and intricate nail designs. Can be completed in 2.5-3 months for individuals pursuing nail technician licensure.
• Massage Therapy Program A 900-hour massage therapy program teaching Swedish and deep tissue techniques, anatomy, and client care. Offered exclusively at the Boardman campus with day and evening class options for individuals pursuing massage therapy licensure.
• Instructor Training Program A training program for licensed beauty industry professionals to become educators, covering instructional techniques, classroom management, and lesson plan development. Designed for licensed cosmetologists, estheticians, barbers, manicurists, and massage therapists seeking teaching credentials.
• Student Salon and Spa Services Walk-in student salon offering haircuts, styling, coloring, manicures, pedicures, facials, waxing, massage, and barber services performed by students under instructor supervision. Provides affordable beauty services to the community while serving as practical training for students.
• School Merch Shop Online retail store selling official Raphael's branded apparel including T-shirts, long sleeves, and crewnecks in various sizes, providing branded merchandise to students, alumni, and supporters.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students can complete Advanced Esthetician program in as few as 6 months (750 hours)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Paul MitchellcoreOthersHair product brand partnership providing students with professional-grade hair care products and training using Paul Mitchell product lines. Students gain experience with industry-standard professional products.
• PravanacoreOthersHair color product brand used in training for cosmetology students. Provides professional color products for student practice and client services.
• SexyhaircoreOthersHair styling and care product brand partnership for student training on professional hair care products.
• DermalogicacoreOthersProfessional skincare brand used in esthetics training. Students learn skin treatments using Dermalogica products including Face Mapping and professional facials.
• HydrafacialcoreOthersAdvanced skincare technology partnership. Raphael's is one of few beauty schools nationwide offering hands-on Hydrafacial training within the Advanced Esthetics program, preparing students for Hydrafacial certification.
• Young NailscoreOthersProfessional nail products brand used in manicurist training program for nail art and enhancement services.
• AprescoreOthersNail enhancement brand providing products for student nail training and nail art education.
• Amber ProductscoreOthersMassage therapy products including oils, lotions, and equipment used in massage training program.
• STI - Salon Brands for LifecoreOthersBarber grooming products brand used in barbering program training for hair and beard grooming services.
• GeneominorOthersSkincare technology brand used in esthetics training for oxygenation treatments like OxyGeneo Facial.
• CellumaminorOthersLight therapy devices used in esthetics training for skin treatments and LED therapy services.
• Crown BrushminorOthersProfessional makeup brushes and tools used in makeup application training within cosmetology and esthetics programs.
• Beauty Schools DirectoryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExternal scholarship partner offering $2,500 scholarship for beauty students. Connects prospective students with funding opportunities.
• Joe Francis Haircare Scholarship FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry scholarship foundation offering $1,500+ scholarships for barbering and cosmetology students. Named after influential barbering figure Joe Francis.
• Great ClipsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational hair salon chain offering over $100,000 in cosmetology and barbering scholarships annually, with up to $5,000 per student. Scholarship program awarded bi-annually.
• Beauty Changes LivesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNon-profit scholarship foundation providing financial assistance to beauty industry students passionate about pursuing beauty careers.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Empire Beauty Schools: One of the largest cosmetology school chains in the US with multi-state campus footprint. Directly comparable as a multi-location private vocational beauty school offering cosmetology, esthetics, and instructor training.
• Paul Mitchell Schools: National network of cosmetology and barbering schools built around the Paul Mitchell brand partnership. Directly comparable given Raphael's own Paul Mitchell partnership and similar curriculum structure.
• Aveda Institutes: Network of cosmetology and esthiology schools affiliated with the Aveda brand. Directly comparable as a brand-aligned multi-program beauty school emphasizing professional-grade product training.
• Tricoci University of Beauty Culture: Multi-campus private beauty school offering cosmetology, esthetics, and nail technology programs. Directly comparable in program mix, multi-site operation, and tuition-based vocational model.
• Milan Institute: Multi-location private career school offering cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology, and massage therapy programs. Directly comparable in scope and program portfolio, including massage.
• Xenon International Academy: Private cosmetology and esthetics school with multiple campuses. Directly comparable as a regional multi-campus private beauty school targeting similar student demographics.
• PJ's College of Cosmetology: Regional multi-campus private cosmetology school. Directly comparable as a family-/privately-owned multi-site vocational beauty institution.
• TONI&GUY Hairdressing Academy: Brand-affiliated cosmetology and barbering academies. Directly comparable given Raphael's brand-partnership model and cosmetology/barbering program mix.
• Total Beauty Academy: Multi-program private beauty school offering cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology, and instructor training. Directly comparable in program mix and student salon revenue model.

Others

• American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS): Industry trade association of which Raphael's is a member. Not a competitor, but a relevant peer ecosystem participant for curriculum standards, accreditation, and industry benchmarking.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/RaphaelsBeautySchool
• Facebookfacebook.com/raphaelsbeautyschool
• Instagraminstagram.com/raphaelsbeautyschool

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 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 Raphael's School of Beauty Culture, Inc.