Exploring the multi-generational legacy of Seguin Beauty School

Driving through downtown Seguin, it’s hard to miss Seguin Beauty School. Located right on Court Street across from the courthouse, its black sign with bold white lettering announces its presence to passersby.

It’s a local staple serving an important role in the community. Students come to learn, and clients come to get a little self-care at an affordable cost.

Jennifer Evans is the assistant chief administrator at the campus, the daughter of its founders, and the latest in the family to carry on a multi-generational legacy.

“The school was opened in 1977; my parents opened it,” Jennifer said. “My mom’s family –– my great-grandma used to have the largest chain of schools in Texas. She had several and then my grandma had several. My mom ended up opening her own, my aunt and her brother, so it’s just been in the family for years. It’s crazy. My mom was a little girl and grew up in the school just like I did. I remember coming here every day after school, and being like ‘oh, we have to go back to the beauty school,’ and never thinking I would do this again because I was just around it my whole life.”

As with many children, she didn’t initially want to follow in her parent’s footsteps. It took time and life experience. After going off to college, she thought she might just pick up some hours in the summer, but ended up loving her salon education so much that she stuck with it –– the only of her siblings to do so. Since then, she has moved from student to educator and then on to her current administrator role.

“My favorite part through all the years is probably teaching,” Jennifer said. “I love the teaching part. I don’t do it anymore, or very rarely, but I enjoy talking to students and prospective students that come in. We have students that come in and don’t really know what they want to do. They’ve decided to try it and have never worn makeup before. They don’t fix their hair, but when they start, they learn, and it’s amazing to see how some come in that way, and by the time they’re graduating, they’re almost like a new person. They’ve learned to do their hair and makeup, and they’ve learned to talk to clients. It’s rewarding in the school aspect, but when they leave, they get to do that for someone else to make them look good.”

While looking good and self-care are key components to working in the beauty industry, the school treats classes like a salon job. This approach prepares the budding young stylists for the real world after graduation. They have hours to upkeep and skills to learn, but all of this is done through a combination of books and hands-on learning guided by skilled instructors.

“It’s like a job,” she said. “The students come in, and clock in –– they have to get their hours. They go to class, our teachers are teaching, we get clients that come in, and they get called out of class. We have another instructor that walks the floor and helps them. It’s sad because our program used to be a year, it’s only eight months now, but it’s like you get really close to these students, and then they’re gone. They graduate and move on, but luckily our clients are pretty committed to Seguin Beauty School. I think the prices also help, but they find someone else and know it’s just part of the routine.”

The beauty school serves an essential role as an educational facility. It serves the Seguin community with salon options and haircuts that start at only six dollars, making it affordable for most community members. From students to seniors, the school is prepared for any service, including nails, waxing, and hair.

“We have many clients that come in,” she said. “A lot of seniors that are on set income come in and get services. It’s cheap –– it’s a school, so they’re students, they’re learning. We have many students that are from Seguin, but also outside of Seguin. They drive in from Nixon, Luling, Lockhart, we have some from Schertz/Cibolo. I’ve had them come all the way from near Schulengberg just because I think we’re the biggest little town around the smaller cities, but it helps students tremendously. A lot of the salons in and around town, they all have been graduates from Seguin Beauty School.”

With a steady stream of new stylists graduating every eight months, Seguin Beauty School remains an integral part of the Seguin community, offering higher education opportunities in addition to needed community service. And with Jennifer’s own kids growing up, who knows, maybe someday the family business will pass on to the next generation yet again, further securing Seguin Beauty School’s local legacy.