Gould's Academy
Gould's Academy is a private, family-owned post-secondary beauty school operating two Memphis-area campuses that train and license students in cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, nail care, massage therapy, and instructor education.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersMemphis, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Gould's Academy does
Gould's Academy is a private, post-secondary vocational school operating two state-licensed campuses in Memphis and Bartlett, Tennessee, delivering training across cosmetology (1,500 hours), barbering (1,500 hours), nail technology (600 hours), esthetics (750 hours), massage therapy (650 hours), and a 300-hour instructor course. The school prepares students for Tennessee and Mississippi state licensing exams and operates evening tracks to broaden its applicant pool. Its educational program is built on third-party branded curricula from Sassoon Academy (cutting), Milady (standard textbooks and Master Educator), CND (nail technology), Revlon (color), and Image Skin Care (esthetics), supplemented by guest platform artists through events such as the Gould's Legacy Event.
The business is owned and operated by P & D, LLC, controlled by David and Philip Gould, who also run the related Gould's Salon Spa chain employing more than 450 people across the Memphis market. This parent brand provides both a direct graduate employment pipeline and shared administrative and reputational infrastructure. Each campus is approximately 18,000 square feet and ADA-compliant, equipped to Tennessee State Board of Cosmetology standards, and includes student-run salon and spa facilities where supervised students perform discounted services to the public.
Revenue is generated primarily through upfront tuition and required books, kits, and uniforms across six program tracks, with pricing ranging from roughly $5,650 (Instructor Course) to $22,650 (Cosmetology Program). A secondary revenue stream comes from the student salon and spa, where clients pay for services performed by supervised students. Federal student aid eligibility (FAFSA) and prior CARES Act funding demonstrate Title IV participation. Marketing relies on the school's website, organic social media, video content, photo tours, and direct inquiry forms, while distribution is entirely direct-to-consumer via the two physical campuses in the Memphis metropolitan area.
Gould's Academy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Gould's Academy
- Legal name
- Gould's Academy
- Website
- https://gouldsacademy.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Gould's Academy is a private, family-owned post-secondary beauty school operating two Memphis-area campuses that train and license students in cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, nail care, massage therapy, and instructor education.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Gould's Academy industry classification
Industry- 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
- Barbering Schools & Programs (HSALANAD), Nail Technology (Manicure/Pedicure) Training Programs (HSALANAC), Barbering (EDAOALAC)
Keywords
Where Gould's Academy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Memphis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Gould's Academy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue from tuition charges for cosmetology, barber, nail tech, esthetician, massage therapy, and instructor programs. Students pay tuition along with required books, kits, and uniforms.
- Student Services: Revenue from providing salon and spa services to clients in the student salon environment where supervised students perform services on real clients
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Cosmetology Program - $22,650 total |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Barber School Program - $18,650 total |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Nail Tech / Manicurist Program - $9,950 total |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Esthetician Program - $14,600 total |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Instructor Course - $5,650 total |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Massage Therapy Program - Tuition not publicly disclosed |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Gould's Academy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Gould's Academy is a post-secondary vocational school delivering state-licensed training programs in cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, nail technology, massage therapy, and instructor education across two Memphis-area campuses. Programs combine classroom instruction, brand-partner curricula (Sassoon, Milady, CND, Revlon, Image Skin Care), and hands-on practical training in student-run salon and spa environments, preparing graduates for Tennessee and Mississippi state board licensing exams. Revenue is generated primarily through program tuition plus ancillary revenue from the student salon serving public clients.
Product overview
Gould's Academy is a cosmetology and beauty school offering a portfolio of vocational training programs across multiple disciplines. The core offerings include Cosmetology (1,500 hours), Barbering (1,500 hours), Nail Tech/Manicuring (600 hours), Esthetics (750 hours), Massage Therapy (650 hours), and an Instructor Course (300 hours). An Evening Classes option provides part-time scheduling for working students. All programs prepare graduates for state licensing exams in Tennessee and Mississippi. The school operates two campuses (Park Place in Memphis and Bartlett) and includes a student-run salon where practical training occurs on real clients.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Gould's Salon Spa: Related salon and spa business operated by the Gould family, separate from the academy educational institution.
Products and services
- Cosmetology Program Comprehensive beauty school education covering hair, skin, nails, and makeup services. Prepares students for Tennessee and Mississippi State Board licensing exams with 1,500 hours of coursework. Tuition: $18,650 plus books/kits totaling $22,650.
- Barbering Program Professional barber training covering haircutting, shaving, hairstyling, hair coloring, and chemical texture services. Requires 1,500 hours to complete. Tuition: $14,650 plus books/kits totaling $18,650.
- Nail Tech / Manicuring Program Nail technology training covering manicures, pedicures, nail enhancements, and nail art. Requires 600 hours of education and training. Tuition: $6,950 plus books/kits and uniforms totaling $9,950.
- Esthetics Program Skincare and spa training covering facials, hair removal, skin treatments, and makeup application. Requires 750 hours of education (300 classroom hours plus 450 practical hours). Tuition: $11,225 plus books/kits and fees totaling $14,600.
- Massage Therapy Program Therapeutic massage training covering Swedish massage, deep tissue, sports massage, and other modalities. Requires 650 contact hours over 22 weeks. Federal student aid available. Tuition not publicly disclosed.
- Instructor Course Educator preparation program using Milady curriculum and Master Educator Program. Prepares licensed cosmetologists to become instructors with 300 hours of training. Tuition: $4,650 plus books/kits and uniforms totaling $5,650.
- Evening Classes Part-time evening cosmetology classes for students who cannot attend daytime programs. Offers Cosmetology, Manicuring, and Esthetics evening tracks.
- Student Salon and Spa Guest Services Student-run salon and spa providing discounted beauty services to the public. Services include hair, nails, massage, waxing, and facials performed by supervised students.
Quantifiable outcome
- Industry job growth projections of 13% for cosmetologists and 16% for nail technicians through 2022
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Gould's Academy
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Gould's Academy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature3 records
Gould's Academy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Sassoon AcademycoreIncorporated Sassoon Academy's highly selective cutting techniques into the cosmetology curriculum. This provides students with professional cutting skills from one of the most recognized names in hair education worldwide.
- CND (Creative Nail Design)coreCND Advanced Nail Care System built around innovation and excellence is incorporated into nail technology curriculum. Provides students with professional nail care techniques and products.
- MiladycoreUses Milady's Standards of Cosmetology textbook, Milady Standard Nail Technology textbook, and Master Educator Program for instructor training. Milady is the leading publisher in beauty and wellness education materials.
- RevlonminorRevlon color system is used in the cosmetology curriculum for hair coloring education, providing students experience with professional color products.
- American Heart AssociationminorStudents receive CPR/First Aid certification through the American Heart Association as part of the massage therapy program business practices curriculum.
- American CrewminorPlatform artists from American Crew participate in Gould's Legacy Event, bringing men's grooming expertise and trends from around the world to Memphis.
- Bumble & BumbleminorPlatform artists from Bumble & Bumble featured at Gould's Legacy Event, sharing styling techniques and industry trends with students.
- PureologyminorProfessional hair care brand represented at Gould's Legacy Event through platform artists sharing color and styling expertise.
- UniteminorProfessional hair care brand participating in Gould's Legacy Event, bringing styling and product knowledge to student education.
- Image Skin CareminorImage Skin Care products and education incorporated into esthetics curriculum, providing students with professional skincare product knowledge.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Gould's Academy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Empire Beauty Schools: Largest cosmetology school chain in the United States with dozens of campuses nationwide. Directly comparable to Gould's Academy in offering cosmetology, esthetics, and instructor programs, but operates at significantly greater scale and geographic breadth.
Direct peers
- Aveda Institutes: Network of brand-affiliated cosmetology and esthetics schools operated by Estée Lauder's Aveda brand. Comparable to Gould's Academy through similar premium brand-curriculum model and emphasis on professional-grade product and technique training.
- Tricoci University of Beauty Culture: Multi-location cosmetology and esthetics school chain with programs in cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology, and massage therapy. Directly comparable to Gould's Academy in curriculum structure, state licensing preparation, and target student segments.
- Pivot Point Academy: Cosmetology schools using the Pivot Point curriculum, one of the most recognized beauty education systems. Comparable to Gould's Academy's use of Milady standard curriculum and similar state licensing exam preparation.
- The Salon Professional Academy: Network of independently owned but co-branded cosmetology and esthetics academies. Comparable to Gould's Academy in offering cosmetology, esthetics, and instructor training with a focus on salon industry career placement.
- Milan Institute: Multi-campus for-profit vocational school offering cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology, and massage therapy programs across multiple states. Closely comparable to Gould's Academy in program mix and target student demographic.
- Paul Mitchell Schools: National network of brand-affiliated cosmetology and barbering schools operating under the Paul Mitchell name. Highly comparable to Gould's Academy in curriculum depth, premium positioning, and emphasis on professional brand partnerships, though operating at greater scale.
Regional players
- Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers: Regional cosmetology and beauty school operating primarily in Florida with cosmetology, esthetics, nail, and massage therapy programs. Comparable in program mix to Gould's Academy, though serving a different regional market.
- Tennessee School of Beauty: Independent cosmetology and esthetics school operating in Tennessee. Direct regional competitor to Gould's Academy in the same state regulatory environment, with overlapping program offerings and student demographics.
Emerging players
- Xenon International Academy: Smaller chain of cosmetology and esthetics schools operating in a limited number of states. Comparable to Gould's Academy in program offerings but at a smaller geographic footprint.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Gould's Academy social profiles
Digital presenceGould's Academy compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Gould's Academy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Gould's Academy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Gould's Academy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Gould's 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 Gould's Academy
What does Gould's Academy do?
Gould's Academy is a post-secondary vocational school delivering state-licensed training programs in cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, nail technology, massage therapy, and instructor education across two Memphis-area campuses. Programs combine classroom instruction, brand-partner curricula (Sassoon, Milady, CND, Revlon, Image Skin Care), and hands-on practical training in student-run salon and spa environments, preparing graduates for Tennessee and Mississippi state board licensing exams. Revenue is generated primarily through program tuition plus ancillary revenue from the student salon serving public clients.
Is Gould's Academy a public or private company?
Gould's Academy is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Gould's Academy founded?
Gould's Academy was founded in -1.
Where is Gould's Academy based?
Gould's Academy is headquartered in Memphis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Gould's Academy make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are student Services.
Who are Gould's Academy's main competitors?
Empire Beauty Schools is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Aveda Institutes, Tricoci University of Beauty Culture, Pivot Point Academy, The Salon Professional Academy, Milan Institute and Paul Mitchell Schools. Regional players are Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers and Tennessee School of Beauty. Xenon International Academy is listed as an emerging player.
Does Gould's Academy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Gould's Academy.
What industry is Gould's Academy in?
Gould's Academy's product category is Vocational Beauty and Wellness Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSALANAA, Cosmetology Schools & Programs, with a secondary code of HSALANAD, Barbering Schools & Programs. Its NAICS code is 611511 and its SIC code is 8200.