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Meet the Military Spouse & Salon Owner: Cindy Bowcutt
Licensed esthetician and military wife, Cindy Bowcutt prioritizes her faith, family, and career in a way that works for her. Until recently, she rented a salon space where she worked to build a business providing skin care and waxing services to her clients.
While Ms. Bowcutt wasn't eligible for GI Bill transfer or other military spouse education benefits, she found pride in attending and affording school on her own, and now enjoys the benefits of having a job when and whereever she chooses-- a freedom any military spouses can elect to pursue. Here, Ms. Bowcutt discusses her educational experience as well as how taking certificate and college courses online can give others the same career freedom Ms. Bowcutt has enjoyed.
Q: What was your favorite part of the work you did at the salon?A: I enjoy being an esthetician because regardless of the service provided, I always got to see results at the time of service. Whether it is visible results on skin care and waxing, or just the fact that my client is relaxed and rejuvenated.
Q: What were the most challenging aspects of your job?A: The challenge for me is always juggling my schedule to fit my family in and to prioritize them. This is a factor because in the cosmetology industry, you are responsible for building our own clientele. I have to be flexible to win the client over and , because there is so much competition at every corner of the street.
Q: What first inspired you to enter the cosmetology field?A: My husband had just gotten out of the Marine Corps and we decided to move to a small town to have a fresh start. I thought that if I held my own spa party for a certain skin care line, I might be able to get to know people better. By my third year, I was a successful sales representative. That was when I decided to become a licensed esthetician. In school we had to perform hands-on services, and that was when I fell in love with the job.
Q: Did you use a GI Bill transfer or other military education benefits for your schooling?A: My husband had gotten out of the USMC two weeks prior to 9/11, so we did not qualify for benefits like the military GI Bill transfer, and we had to pay in full for my schooling. Not to boast, but we were proud that at 25 years old, we were able to make those payments while owning a home and having two children.
Q: How does your experience as a military spouse come into play in your life?A: Now that my husband is back in the USMC as a reservist, we are aware of the possibilities of deployment. When you are in the military, you are owned by the government. If they say jump, you say how high. The fact that deployment is always a possibility played a part in my husband's request as the leader of our family that I check the salon off my list for now.
Q: Now that you're putting the salon on hold, you're experiencing a real sacrifice as a military spouse. How do you and your husband view the future?A: My husband is thrilled to be back in to the USMC. He is supporting his Brothers and serving his country. I am pleased to support him in any way I can. I predict I will be back in business in about 3-5 years. Leaving the salon was sad to me, but also exciting to be able to have more time to dedicate to my husband and children. Because we feel like this is God's plan, I am not stressed over this experience whatsoever.
Q: What advice would you give other military spouses considering training to enter the work force?A: My advice to any wife or mother, military or not, would be to remember that our first job in life is to be the wife or mother that we are. When a commitment is made, fulfill it to your best ability, and never give less.
