When Paul Mitchell Schools dean and cofounder Winn Claybaugh lost his good friend Ann Bowler last year, he wanted to do something to honor her. He called upon the schools' Be Nice (Or Else!) teams to hold "Ann Bowler Day," and it was a rousing success. This year, he asked them to repeat the event, and the response was overwhelming. Students and staff members from the nationwide network of cosmetology schools flocked to nursing homes and senior centers during the month of December, singing Christmas carols, bearing small gifts, and offering mini manicures and hairdos. Most important, they provided love and companionship to their new friends.

On September 21, 2011, Paul Mitchell Schools swept America into a great big bear hug with their 3rd annual nationwide Free Hugs Day. Future Professionals and staff members from all 100 schools simultaneously headed for parks, plazas, hospitals, nursing homes, and other destinations to offer hugs and spread our famous "Be Nice" culture.

CHICAGO (March 13, 2011) - Winn Claybaugh, dean and co-founder of Paul Mitchell Schools, motivational speaker, and author of Be Nice (Or Else!), received behindthechair.com's Hairdressers Unlocking Hope Award at the BTC 11th Annual Stylist Choice Awards. Given to individuals in the professional beauty industry who serve as exemplary models of philanthropy, the award was created in 2007 by behindthechair.com Founder Mary Rector Gable and Vidal Sassoon. "Winn has woven generosity and philanthropy into every aspect of his business and his life," Rector Gable said. "He has made giving back an integral part of the Paul Mitchell Schools' curricula, thereby creating generation after generation of caring, giving beauty professionals."

We love our Future Professionals!! Welcome to core!!

Paul Mitchell Future Professionals mingled with salon representatives, practiced their interview skills, learned about career opportunities in top salons, and took part in hands-on haircutting, color, and skin care classes at the 26th annual Caper in Las Vegas, Feb. 9-10, 2011.

After his 92-year-old friend Ann Bowler passed away in December, Paul Mitchell Schools Dean and Cofounder called on his staff and Future Professionals to find and visit a local nursing home, retirement home, or assisted living center and create some magic by bringing gifts (if appropriate), singing carols, reaching out to these adorable individuals. He also reminded them to sincerely thank the nurses, doctors, and caregivers who look after these beautiful people. "I realize that this time of the year is very busy for all of you," Winn said. "Actually, I can't think of a better time of year because many elderly people feel especially alone during the holidays. Mostly you'll be there providing love, a hug, and companionship. Each and every time I asked Ann if there was anything I could do for her, her one and only response was, 'Just be my friend.'"

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Three talented Future Professionals from the nationwide network of Paul Mitchell Schools have been named "Next Top Photo Stylist" by Paul Mitchell Editorial Director Lucie Doughty and a panel of distinguished judges. Elizabeth Ankenman from Paul Mitchell The School - St. George, Erik McEwen from Paul Mitchell The School - Sherman Oaks, and Heather Burnworth of Paul Mitchell The School - Salt Lake City were named winners in the recent competition, which drew over 130 entries. Elizabeth, Erik, and Heather will travel to Los Angeles in January for a two-day photo shoot with Lucie Doughty, where each winner will shoot one model with three separate style looks.

In immediate response to Haiti's devastating earthquake, Paul Mitchell Schools Dean and Cofounder Winn Claybaugh called for a nationwide fundraising day. "Our goal is $1,000 per school, times our 100 schools, for a total of $100,000," Winn said. The schools rose to the challenge and raised over $83,500 within two weeks. A personal donation from John Paul DeJoria, chairman and cofounder of John Paul Mitchell Systems, brought the total to $100,000. Future Professionals broke from their signature black outfits to hold "Casual for a Cause" days, donating money to dress casually for the day. They also invited family, friends, and guests to "buy" paper bottles for Haiti relief, donated tips, and held a number of other activities, from bake sales to benefit concerts.

Hair and Makeup by Future Professionals from The Cao Institute a Paul Mitchell School.

Work by Graduates form The Cao Institute a Paul Mitchell School

An army of 12,000 Future Professionals took to the streets on September 23, 2010, for Paul Mitchell Schools' second nationwide Free Hugs Day. Dressed in their signature black outfits, carrying handmade Free Hugs signs, and naturally sporting fabulous styles, Future Professionals from the network's 100 schools headed for plazas, parks, and other popular spots to offer hugs and make people's day. Events for day and night school students occurred simultaneously in every time zone throughout the continental U.S. and Hawaii. Paul Mitchell artists, educators, top executives, and superstars joined the Future Professionals at Free Hugs locations in their areas.

For the 25th year, Paul Mitchell Future Professionals used their sales skills to earn their way to Caper, a star-studded annual educational event. Over 2,000 Paul Mitchell cosmetology and skin care Future Professionals sold $2 million in Paul Mitchell products to attend the three-day Las Vegas event, where they received hands-on classes with the Paul Mitchell and Advanced Academy Artistic Teams and educators. Skin care Future Professionals also had a day of education at the Dermal Institute.

The incredible 30-year anniversary Paul Mitchell Gathering welcomed over 3,000 people from all over the world! The first night featured a 2-hour artistry event, including our amazing Paul Mitchell Future Professionals. Although there are thousands of Visionary Future Professionals who deserved to participate, we could only choose 16 -- 8 to model and 8 to do all the hair and makeup, led and mentored by the amazing George Morales of our Paul Mitchell Advanced Academy.