From Doubts to Beauty School Success: How Katie Found Her Best Life at Noe’ Noonan
Starting something new can be super exciting—but let’s be real, it can also be downright scary. Whether it’s the “What if I’m not good enough?” thoughts or the “Am I making the right choice?” worries, those doubts can feel like they’re holding you back. We get it and you’re not alone.
That’s why we’re so excited to introduce you to Katie. She’s a rockstar double grad from Noe’ Noonan, having completed both our Cosmetology and Teacher programs. But guess what? She came into the program with her own fears and doubts, just like so many of us.
In this blog, Katie’s opening up about her journey—how she faced those scary “what ifs,” found her groove, and now gets to live her best life doing what she loves. If you’ve ever felt like your doubts are too big to overcome, Katie’s story might just change your mind.
So grab a coffee, get comfy, and let’s dive in. This one’s for all the dreamers ready to take that first step.
Fear #1: Am I Good Enough?
What if I spend all this money and don’t end up being good at it? The first client I had brought me face to face with this fear. One of the first highlights I did by myself, I looked at Miss Taylor (Instructor) and said, “I can't do this”. Taylor said she’d be there for whatever I needed, but that I had to do it myself. I remember I started it and said, “OK I can do this.”
Not only did the client end up being very easy to talk to, but, by the end, she loved her look too! And by the end of my cosmetology program, I sat back and thought, “You were never going to be good at something the first time you try it.” Soon, it’ll be a year since I’ve started this journey and gotten my license and I’m still learning things. As you go and continue on, you’re only going to get better, but growing starts with taking that first step forward even while being afraid.
Fear #2: I Won’t Make Any Friends.
To be honest, starting something new is awkward at first, because you don’t know anybody (usually), and I was such an introverted extrovert when I started. But, when I learned I had to be unapologetically myself, I made more friends because of it.
Even with the friendships I made within my class and the other classes around me, I made such lasting relationships with my Directors and Instructors that I never dreamed to make. And I never felt like I couldn’t turn to them. To this day, I still feel that I could come to them for anything.
Fear #3: This is Too Much at Once.
I was a high achieving student in high school (class president, clubs, etc...) and going from that to having to start all over again in a new place, you feel like you’re at the bottom again working up.
Even though it was a big change, when life puts you in a place and you instantly can walk in and say I want to be a part of this, then you just have to trust the process and yourself that you want to be there for a reason. There is always purpose in where you’ve been placed.
Fear #4: My Journey Will Look so Different Than My Friends Who Did Traditional College.
I cared so much what people thought about me and I was afraid that even if I sat down and told them that this is truly something I love and want to do they’d question my path still. Friends and family included, you will always have somebody tell you that you won't make money or find success.
This can be such a high paying job and it’s so rewarding beyond that too. You have to remember that. You have to always remind yourself why you’re doing this. For me, I imagine being with a real person (not a mannequin head), a real client, who doesn’t love their hair, and maybe they’re so self-conscious that they can’t event look at themselves in the mirror; would I be able to turn it around, make them smile, and help them love what they see? This is my “why”. The purpose I found to push me forward. The money is great, but the true reward is the smile on your client’s face—it's the impact you make.
Final Thoughts/Advice: You Should Never be Afraid to Make your Dreams Come True.
No matter how hard it may seem, or how impossible it may look, it’s not. Truthfully, this school is what saved parts of my life. Finding what I love to do and the people that would help me through it, changed who I was and helped me move forward.
Next Steps: Explore our School!
We always have another class coming up and another opportunity to start your own beauty journey. If this is what you’ve been dreaming about, it’s been on your heart for a while, then let this be a sign to take the first step forward and schedule a visit to the school to learn more.
Schedule your Discovery Tour Here!
Oh, and don’t forget to have the best day ever! 🩵