DC–Maryland–Virginia (DMV) Community Initiative where students, hairstylists, and barbers connect with Shadow-Hosting Salons and Barbershops to build community, gain first-hand experience, and explore opportunities for employment.
💡 The Shadow Program is part of our online community, The Stronghold, and included with the Elite Membership Plan, which also unlocks education, events, and professional development resources.
👀 Special Beta Launch Offer: Join Elite for just $15.39/month (or $184.68/year) — normally $324/year (cancel anytime). Students and new talent (licensed 1 year or less) qualify for a free year.
Ready to join? Click here!
“Shadowing” - a verb; which means to spend time in a shop or salon to observe and interact with all aspects of said shop or salon.
Student/New Talent
Whether you want to work at a salon/shop or go straight into business for yourself, take control of your education and your future now!
Learn and observe new business models, meet salon/shop team members, experience customer interactions, connect with mentors, and possibly find your future employer, all for FREE!
Benefits to Me
Find DMV Salons + Shops in one place - Meet your favorite salon/shops and find new ones
Online Scheduling, Just Show Up & No Formal Interviews - Low-pressure & no commitment
Experience Different Business Models & Cultures – Compare salon vs. suite vs. hybrid environments so you can make informed choices about your future.
Career Planning Made Easy – Use what you learn to set realistic career goals that feel right for you.
Gain Real-World Experience – Experience what it’s really like to work in a salon/shop, beyond what you see online.
Shadow Program Member Space + Elite Online Community Access – Connect with peers and mentors in a supportive environment. Join bi-monthly calls to ask questions, share experiences, and learn from others. Access resources that build your confidence in professionalism, business, and money management so you’re prepared to take smart next steps in your career.
Accessing the Shadow Program
The Shadow Program is part of The Stronghold, our online community for hairdressers, barbers, and salon/shop owners.
If you’re a cosmetology student or newly licensed (1 year or less), you qualify for one year of free access to the Elite Membership inside The Stronghold.
Fill out this quick form with your details so we can confirm eligibility. Once approved, you’ll receive a discount code to unlock your free membership, granting you full access to the Shadow Program, as well as education, events, and professional development resources to help you launch your career successfully.
How it Works
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Join for free & complete your profile
Provide basic contact info and customize your profile with your favorite headshot, photos/videos of your work, and details about you.
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Find Salons & Shops in one easy place
Search the Member-only directory to meet your favorite salons/shops and find new ones.
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Easily online book shadow sessions
Select a time that’s good for you and complete the booking in less than 1 minute. You will receive an email confirmation with an option to easily add to your calendar so you don’t forget!
✺ Frequently asked questions ✺
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To spend a part of a day in a salon or shop getting to know the team, culture, clients, boss, and vibes.
It is also what you do if you want to learn more about how businesses operate for your own research and endeavors!
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NO! The Shadow Program is free for verified students!
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NO! Shadowing is observing, not working. This is not an internship, it is not a job application, but you are allowed to ask to help out or do things around the salon/shop if you want!
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Each salon and shop will be a unique experience. Primarily, you are there to observe, learn, and maybe meet a future employer or a business/industry mentor!
Salon/Shop Owner
As a salon or shop owner, the Shadow Program helps you showcase your business, connect with motivated students and professionals, and highlight your team culture.
Whether you are hiring or not, we need leaders who understand the importance of active and sustained local community engagement to enhance education and opportunities. What better way to elevate your local industry while creating a passive talent pipeline for your salon/shop — and positioning yourself as a mentor and leader in the community?
Benefits to Me
Connect with Talent – Meet motivated students and hairstylists/barbers who are genuinely interested in your salon or shop.
Effortless for Owners – A low-maintenance platform built exclusively for Beauty Pros, designed to save you time.
Automated + Hassle-Free Scheduling – Get notified of shadow bookings instantly, only on the schedule you’ve approved.
Elevate the Industry Together – Join other leaders committed to raising standards and building a stronger future for beauty professionals.
Shadow Program Member Space + Elite Community Access – Connect with fellow owners and industry leaders, join bi-monthly calls to exchange ideas and solutions, and access resources that strengthen your business, leadership, and team development while positioning your salon/shop as a community leader.
Get access to consulting and advisory services around hiring, educational programming, onboarding, intake, and other business systems
Teach or Host Classes in Your Salon/Shop– Verified Shadow Hosts & Mentors can teach their own classes in their space, with HdS promoting and producing the event to bring students and stylists through their doors.
Be a Host Location for HdS Cutting Classes – If you don’t have in-house educators, your salon/shop can still benefit by serving as a host site for our HdS academy-level cutting classes, putting your business at the center of advanced education in the community.
Accessing the Shadow Program
The Shadow Program is part of The Stronghold, our online community for hairdressers, barbers, and salon/shop owners.
To access the Shadow Program, you’ll register for the Elite Membership, also unlocks education, events, and professional development resources for you and your team to thrive.
How it Works
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Join & complete your profile
Provide basic contact info and the days/times you want to regularly host. Then, customize your profile with your business’ logo, specialties, brands used, and details about your Salon/Shop!
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Find local Beauty Pros
Search the Member-only directory to meet Rising Stylist!
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Beauty Pros book shadow sessions on your approved schedule
You will receive an email confirmation with an option to easily add to your calendar so you don’t forget!
✺ Frequently asked questions ✺
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The Shadow Program will always be free for students.
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The success of this program depends on open and equal access. There are no applications. If you like the person and they like you, you can offer them an application and next steps.
All Shadow-Hosts provide the days/hours they are willing to open their doors and we embed a scheduler on your profile. This scheduler sends you email and text notifications of a Shadow booking and gives you the option to add it to your google or apple calendar.
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Yes! There are 2 hour sessions and ½ day (4 hours) sessions. You will only get 1 Shadower at a time and the limit is based on the availability you provide! For example, if you say you only want to host Shadowers on Tuesday and Saturday from 10am-4pm, that is 6 hours. So, you will either get three 2-hour sessions, OR 2-hour + a 4-hour session, etc.
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There are two options for Shadowing. Shadow sessions are 2-hour sessions or ½ day sessions (4-hours).
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The Shadow Program, currently, is open to all Cosmetology and Barbering School Students. The earlier they begin Shadowing the better. The longer they are in school with no real-world experience, the less influence shadowing has.
Schools
It is now easier than ever for your students to get direct access to potential employers AND real-world exposure with no obligation and no application!
Now, your students can ground their career-planning process in reality, not social media dreams.
Benefits to My School & Students
Free career planning tool to create realistic goals & expectations.
Higher and faster placement post-graduation.
Build stronger relationships with local Salons/Shops.
How it Works
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Students join for free & complete their profile
Provide basic contact info and customize their profile with their favorite headshot and details about themselves.
-
Find Salons & Shops in one easy place
Search the Member-only directory to meet their favorite salons/shops and find new ones.
-
Easily online book shadow sessions
Students pick a time & date and complete the booking in less than 1 minute. They’lll receive an email confirmation with an option to easily add to their calendar. After the shadow sessions, both salons and students can review each other.
✺ Frequently asked questions ✺
-
The Shadow Program will always be free for students.
-
The success of this program depends on open and equal access. There are no applications.
All Shadow-Hosts provide the days/hours they are willing to open their doors and we embed a scheduler on their profile. This scheduler sends them an email and text notifications of a Shadow booking.
-
NO! Shadowing is observing, not working. This is not an internship, it is not a job application, but the students are allowed to ask to help out or do things around the salon/shop if they want!
-
Each salon and shop will be a unique experience. Primarily, they are there to observe, learn, and maybe meet a future employer or a business/industry mentor!
-
There are two options for Shadowing. Shadow sessions are 2-hour sessions or ½ day sessions (4-hours).
-
The Shadow Program, currently, is open to all Cosmetology and Barbering School Students. The earlier they begin Shadowing the better. The longer they are in school with no real-world experience, the less influence shadowing has.