As spring turns into summer and the days grow warmer, men and women everywhere are headed to salons to ready themselves for bathing suit, prom and wedding seasons. With all of the pampering plans on the market, it's no wonder the salon and spa industry generates $40 billion in profits each year. According to Bruce Grindy, an independent economist with 16 years of experience, "The number of personal appearance jobs is expected to jump 31% between 2008 and 2018; nearly three times the rate of growth of total U.S. employment." Enter Bellus Academy, the premier solution for summer makeover hopefuls on a budget and students eager to enter the fields of beauty and wellness.

Touted as the "Harvard of Beauty Schools" by San Diego Magazine and named one of the top three internationally for Intercoiffure's "Best School Award" in 2011, Bellus has been an innovative industry leader since its inception by William Lynch in 1972. Today, Bellus Academy is led by Lynelle Lynch, winner of the San Diego Chamber's 2010 Women in Business award, and offers three campuses in Southern California (Poway, National City, El Cajon) and one in Manhattan, Kansas. This nationally accredited institution was also honored in Modern Salon's "Excellence in Education" issues for 2010 and 2011.

Bellus Academy has spent 40 years grooming future stylists, estheticians, makeup artists, nail technicians, massage and spa professionals for greatness using their unique combination of cutting edge programs and highly experienced faculty and staff. In addition to courses in hair styling, esthetics, cosmetology, makeup artistry, spa nails, holistic health, and massage therapy, Bellus is one of the only schools in the nation to provide the advanced training and multiple license programs to fully prepare a future stylist or spa professional for a premium career. With courses in Business and Financial Literacy, students don't just earn their cosmetology licenses with confidence, they graduate with the advanced skills necessary to launch them into successful, exciting careers in a vibrant, sizzling industry. The S.T.A.R. precision haircutting system, developed by artistic director Diego Raviglione and master educator Nick Berardi, provides students with the best foundation in haircutting and enables them to grow their technical and creative abilities. Bellus is also the only school to offer NickEducation, the premier online education site created by international top stylist Nick Berardi, where students are able to access online training videos on demand. The Bellus "Best in Business" program trains students in marketing, social media and building their brand.

But Bellus is more than a school. While all four campuses double as salons, their main location in Poway is a hidden gem, where five-star spa services are offered to the public for a fraction of the price. Students are able to receive valuable hands-on training, while customers can spend the day treating themselves to a day of beauty at budget-friendly prices. Nail, makeup and hair services may seem standard offerings at a beauty school, but Bellus is always pushing the limits. Guests can splurge on Pomegranate Facials, Spirulina Detox Wraps, Murad Firm and Tone Anti-Cellulite Treatments, Chemical Resurfacing or even Microdermabrasion treatments.

Bellus also hosts a Corporate Wellness Program and encourages employers to explore the proven benefits: reduced absenteeism and injuries, increased productivity, lowered health care costs and improved employee morale and retention. As a main perk of the program, Bellus offers exclusive wellness cards to enrolled employees and their family members that grant them a 25% discount on all services and 10% off all salon and spa products. Additional benefits include wellness fairs with mini spa services performed by Bellus technicians, marketing materials to promote health and wellness, supplemental articles for business newsletters and guest speakers available to attend corporate meetings. Bellus will even host corporate retreats! Corporations can plan an event around a relaxing spa day, lunch and plenty of space for meetings and show their appreciation by offering their employees the keys to a beautiful, healthy life.

With salon industry job growth outperforming the overall economy in nine of the last eleven years, Alternative Strategies is proud to partner with Bellus Academy and is excited to expand the horizons of San Diego's burgeoning beauty industry this summer, and for many seasons to come.