Twins to open cosmetology college

Visit with Jodi Dahl and Jill Burke and you'll notice they tend to finish one another's sentences.

And when the twins share a business venture vision, they tend to finish what they start. In July the owners of Hair Success are opening Styling Professionals Academy, a new cosmetology college in Fargo.

"We've always had it in the back of our minds to do this," Burke said.

"Part of it has been just our passion for this industry."

Part of it, too, is somewhat selfish. With their north and south Fargo salon and spa locations, the sisters employ 90 people -- 80 of those stylists -- and they're constantly seeking new talent.

"We just really have wanted to produce a high-quality student," Burke said.

Burke started Hair Success when she bought an Ada, Minn., barber shop in 1984. She moved the business to Moorhead in 1986. Her sister joined her in 1988 and they added a second location, in north Fargo, in 1991. Today the sisters operate sister salon spas in Fargo, one at 1461 Broadway and one at 1638 32nd Ave. S.

Their Salon Professionals Academy will join Moler Barber College of Hair Styling and Josef's School of Hair Design of Fargo and Rita's Moorhead Beauty School among styling schools in Fargo-Moorhead.

Moler is the oldest among the three.

The business, founded by A.B. Moler of Chicago, marks its 80th anniversary this year. Mary Cannon, who owns the business along with husband Joel, said they usually have about a dozen students. Moler is the only barber college in North Dakota.

Josef's has been in business for more than 40 years, according to manager Carol Fugere. It currently has about 100 students.

Rita's has been in business for 27 years and usually has between 15 and 25 students.

Owner Rita Bickelman said the market can support another school. Fargo-Moorhead at one time had five styling schools, with the New York Hair Styling Academy and Mr. Don's School of Beauty in the market with Moler, Josef's and Rita's.

"The best thing a prospective student can do is come in, take a look and choose where they want to go," Bickelman said.

Emily King chose Salon Professionals Academy. The 22-year-old Breckenridge, Minn., woman, a graduate of North Dakota State College of Science at Wahpeton, said she'll move to Fargo-Moorhead to attend school.

Salon Professionals Academy will conduct classes in a 6,500-square-foot space, just south of Hornbacher's Express, in the Southside Shopping Center on South University. Burke and Dahl purchased Salon Excel, from owner Sandi Werlinger, and adjacent space in the center. They'll spend more than $400,000 to transform the space into a school, Burke said.

Werlinger will be lead instructor at the school. The school will offer cutting and styling services to the public.

King is among 18 students who have signed up for 25 spots in the school's first class. A new class section will begin every two months. Typically, it will take about 10 months to complete the course, which includes instruction in styling, nails and salon business and management practices.

"Many kids come out of beauty school with no idea how to work in the real world," Dahl said. "We'll teach them how they can work harder and make more money."

Tuition, including books and materials, is $6,900. Beginning in the fall, the school will add weekend and evening classes.

"I can't tell you how many working moms want to go to school but can't because they have day-time jobs," Burke said.

If the school achieves accreditation after two years, its students will be eligible for state and federal financial aid programs, Dahl said.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Gerry Gilmour at (701) 241-5560