IMAGE offers facial and nail specialist programs
A new institute offering facial and nail specialist programs has opened its doors in North Fort Myers
The Institute for Medical Aesthetics and Laser held its grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony at its new facility on March 26, in the Merchants Crossing Shopping Plaza, Unit 450.
The school is licensed by the Florida Independent Commission for Education.
Emily Tichy, licensed esthetician, electrologist, and Founder of IMAGE, said the idea to start a school began brewing three years ago with her husband. They own a med spa and spenta great deal of time training new hires.
Their thoughts then turned to starting their own school as they saw a need in the community.
“We started that process; just with the build out with the facility took a year and with the state of Florida it took nine months. We have a couple additional programs that the independent commission has approved, but are waiting on the Department of Health,” Tichy said.
The first set of classes will begin on April 7 for facial specialists, nail specialists, and full specialist – both facial and nail.
Tichy said their programs are hybrid.
“All of that boring book work, lecturing, sitting in class like you are in elementary school, is gone,” she said.
Students will receive physical books, as well as access to all the chapters, curriculum, and theory online. There also will be quizzes and videos online.
“They do those hours at home,” Tichy said. “They have to come in for four hours, three times a week for hands-on clinical.”
The facial specialist program is eight weeks, while the nail specialist program is six weeks.
“They are really focused on hands-on learning skills that they need,” she said.
The hybrid option is offered, as Tichy believes that flexibility is important, as most people cannot quit their job to go to school. There are morning, afternoon and night classes offered, so students can go to school and have their life at the same time.
Tichy said when the students finish the class, and make their application with the State of Florida, they will receive their license within days.
“These beauty industries and service industries have huge opportunities,” she said.
The minimum age for the classes is 16 years old.
Students will receive a kit with high quality products, as well as social media and business marketing training, she said.
“They are going to be hands-on promoting themselves, so they can build a portfolio and build clientele while at school,” Tichy said. “They will know how to market themselves and have a jump start. What sets you apart today is knowing how to connect with your potential clients, how to market yourself, and how to create that portfolio.”
The goal of the school is for students to really learn what they need to know to be successful. To accomplish this, they will offer continued education courses because they want to be a resource long-term.
“We are so blessed to be able to provide ethical, quality education to students, so they can set off on the right foot from the beginning,” Tichy said.
When she was 19 years old, she completed a nail technician program in Minnesota and used it to get her degree in mass communication and advertising. Tichy said she was a pharmaceutical tech for 16 years before going back to school for the esthetician program.
She said she never thought what she learned at 19 she would be using again.
“Never let your license lapse because you never know,” Tichy said.
In the near future, she said they will offer spa services at IMAGE providing students with the opportunity to work with the public with discount service prices.
Merchants Crossing is at 15201 N. Cleveland Ave.
Information will be provided on the website of when this service will be available.
For more information visit www.instituteimage.com. The pricing of the courses will be emailed to those interested. Tours are also offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the school and there are $500 scholarship opportunities available for students.