By Judy Clabes
NKyTribune Editor
Downtown Covington is getting a new, special service business, thanks to Gateway Community and Technical College.
Emerge Hair Studio and Spa is a new student-run business, part of Gateway’s Urban Campus, to be opened at 438 Scott Boulevard, formerly the Abode building, this fall. Plans are for a soft opening sometime this summer and a grand opening in the fall.
“Student led enterprises give students from across the college opportunities to gain valuable work experience while being part of a small business they operate,” said G. Edward Hughes, President/CEO of Gateway Community and Technical College.
“Emerge will not only provide a classroom for our students, it will also play a part in the revitalization of downtown Covington. This beautiful and functional facility will be a great place for students to learn and work while they serve the community. Many will start their own small businesses and further develop the local economy.”
While renovations are underway, Gateway started a process for naming the business through focus group meetings and ultimately an online voting opportunity for community responses.
The name Emerge came from that. Then the second phase was a logo contest for which guidelines were developed and entries accepted from students and graphic design professionals. Those entries were judged by a team of both internal and external experts.
The winner was a design by Eugene Heard, a Covington resident and designer, whose concept was inspired by the ripple created from a drop of water.
“Like a single drop creates ripples, everything starts from each student’s hand,” said Heard. “For the student, Emerge Hair Studio and Spa will be the place to learn how to use techniques to provide great moments. The identity represents the power of single student.”
“This fall, cosmetology and massage therapy students will learn and work in a new state-of-the-art hair studio and spa in downtown Covington,” said Hughes.
“Our student run business will be the real world classroom for Gateway students. We are excited about this opportunity for them and the expansion of our Urban Metro Campus in Covington.”
Proceeds from the business will go back into the cosmetology and massage therapy programs.
Students may earn an Associate’s Degree along with cosmetology or massage therapy licensure and get hands on experience operating a business from marketing to sales to client retention through service delivery.
Gateway has one other student run business, repairing computers, as part of the Computer Information Technology program.