I'm a Pathfinder: Chanel Prince-Kitchen
Published on Nov 12, 2024
In the last decade, Chanel Prince-Kitchen’s journey has gone from student to business owner to national educator.
A proud 2014 graduate of Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC)’s cosmetology program, Prince-Kitchen owns her own salon in Grayson and serves as an educator for The Mane Culture, keeping current stylists up to date on the best techniques to use on their clients.
“I've always felt from a young age that making people feel pretty or just better about themselves was what I wanted to do every day,” she said.
Prince Kitchen says she specifically chose ACTC because of its cosmetology program and how close it was to home.
As a third-generation hairstylist, Prince-Kitchen says she immediately began working after graduation, dedicating herself to building a steady clientele and honing her craft.
She is now the proud owner of Royal Reflections Salon, which celebrated its grand opening in May.
“To anyone considering ACTC I would tell them this: don't wait. Just do it,” she said. “Having the opportunity so close to home to start making what dream you a reality is possible for anyone.”
She added, “The faculty and staff offered every resource I needed to eventually get me where I am today. Any questions I had, any obstacle I faced, they sought out an answer or a solution.”
Since graduating, Prince-Kitchen has made several return visits to ACTC, paying forward the education she received by speaking to current cosmetology classes.
“Chanel is a phenomenal cosmetologist and we, here at ACTC Cosmetology, are eternally grateful to have her as a resource for our students to learn and grow from,” said Mourine Smith, cosmetology program coordinator. “Chanel strives to not only make her career successful but everyone around her as well. Her passion and determination are just a glimpse of the amazing person that she is.”
The Cosmetology program at ACTC offers a variety of choices for people seeking entry-level jobs as well as currently employed individuals who wish to enhance their skills.
Knowledge of the theories of hair, skin, and nail care are coupled with techniques used in salons. Clinical work experience is performed in an actual beauty salon atmosphere in the ACTC Cosmetology Salon located on Oakview Road in Ashland.
After successful completion of 1500 clock hours, program graduates are eligible to take the licensure exam.
The Cosmetology program enrolls a new class every January and August.
The ACTC Salon accepts walk-ins and takes appointments by calling 606-326-0565. Hours of operation are 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday.
For more information about the cosmetology program at ACTC, contact Mourine Smith by emailing mourine.smith@kctcs.edu.
Written by: Megan Smedley
