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."

Photo Shoot Club was started by two faculty members who loved the combination of photography and beauty. Future Professionals began asking to participate in the photo shoots; thus, the creation of the Photo Shoot Club at SFIEC. Faculty and Future Professionals combining a love for fashion, hair, makeup and photography.

In December of 2011, Future Professionals participated in a professional Photo Shoot. Each Future Professional provided hair and makeup for his/her model as a part of their classroom requirements.

Photo Shoot Club was started by two faculty members who loved the combination of photography and beauty. Future Professionals began asking to participate in the photo shoots; thus, the creation of the Photo Shoot Club at SFIEC. Faculty and Future Professionals combining a love for fashion, hair, makeup and photography.

Since our dress code at Paul Mitchell Schools and events is all black, the Caper creators themed it a "white party" where we get to wear all white! At the party Future Professionals have the opportunity to get our picture taken with all of the Paul Mitchell platform artists and icons, many of whom are our mentors!

Photo Shoot Club was started by two faculty members who loved the combination of photography and beauty. Future Professionals began asking to participate in the photo shoots; thus, the creation of the Photo Shoot Club at SFIEC. Faculty and Future Professionals combining a love for fashion, hair, makeup and photography.

Debut: Shape Shift was held in January of 2012. Future Professionals (students) are responsible for creating the overall look of his/her model to walk down the runway.

Debut: Shape Shift was held in January of 2012. Future Professionals (students) are responsible for creating the overall look of his/her model to walk down the runway.

Ugly Sweater Day is a tradition at the San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology. Future Professionals and staff found their ugliest holiday sweater and competed for the title.

Fantasy Makeup classes allow the Future Professionals to find inspiration in their world and use a "blank canvas" to create their own interpretation!

In September of 2011, Future Professionals participated in a professional Photo Shoot. Each Future Professional provided hair and makeup for his/her model as a part of their classroom requirements.

Debut is a runway show put on by the San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology. Future Professionals provide hair and makeup for their models who walk down the catwalk. The beauty school's proceeds from this event are donated to the Paul Mitchell FUNraising efforts.

Free Hug Day is an annual event that Paul Mitchell Partner Schools across the country participate in.

Our talented Future Professionals create unique looks for his/her model and build their portfolios with a professional photo shoot.

Get your battle on! Beauty Battle 6 took place in July, 2011. Future Professionals (students) competed to be named the new Co-Captain for Design Team.

SFIEC participated in the Aids Walk on July 17, 2011!

Design Team at Madrone Studios prepping models for SFFAMA'S "Pret A Porter" runway show.

The talented Future Professionals are at it again! Future Professionals participate in a professional photo shoot in which they provide hair and make-up on their models. Here are just a few of the great work!

Design Team attending the March of Dimes and provided face painting.

Each year Paul Mitchell schools across the country participate in a FUNraising campaign that benefits multiple charities. FUNraising takes place for 3 months and ends in a "Magic of Memories" celebration.

Future Professionals show off their talents in a live runway show called Debut.

SFIEC's Design Team at George Washington High School's Career Day!!!

The staff at the San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology surprised Future Professionals with a pancake breakfast on April 20, 2011. Here are a few of the pictures:

Future Professionals display their work with a professional photo shoot.

Future Professionals are given an opportunity to win their way to the annual Caper event.

Future Professionals provide hair and makeup for their models and participate in a professional photo shoot on the San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology campus.

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.

Future Professionals host a fashion show in which they provide all the hair and makeup. This is a great opportunity for the Future Professionals to show off their work and build their portfolio. Donations are accepted at the fashion show and are given to a FUNraising charity.

Future Professionals host a fashion show in which they provide all the hair and makeup. This is a great opportunity for the Future Professionals to show off their work and build their portfolio. Donations are accepted at the fashion show and are given to a FUNraising charity.

Future Professionals host a fashion show in which they provide all the hair and makeup. This is a great opportunity for the Future Professionals to show off their work and build their portfolio. Donations are accepted at the fashion show and are given to a FUNraising charity.

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.'"

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.

August 25, 2010 SFIEC hosted an Industry Night where Future Professionals showcased their talent and resumes to Salon/Spa Professionals.

Future Professionals battle it out with the styling and makeup skills to the final two who compete for the title of Team Captain....It is a tradition here at SFIEC. Check these amazing people out...

Future Professionals style hair and makeup for a photoshoot. September 2010

Wildly beautiful make up class at SFIEC, from "merbots" to woodland nymphs, to flower children. Great job everyone!!

Night School created fantasy makeup; check out their inspirational work.

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.