My Story

....................

I’ve always known I was born to be a hairstylist, entrepreneur, and educator.

At just 18 years old, I became a licensed cosmetologist—and by 19, I opened the doors to my very first salon. That early vision turned into a career of transformation, where I’ve helped not only clients feel beautiful but guided countless aspiring professionals to find purpose through the beauty industry.

Over the years, I’ve owned and operated five successful salons, and my leadership journey led me to become a Field Education Leader for a major corporate salon chain, where I oversaw 126 salons, more than 1,400 stylists, 14 district leaders, and 6 training centers in the Midwest. These roles gave me the experience, insight, and influence to elevate industry standards, champion talent, and manage large-scale operations.

But my heart has always belonged to education. In 2002, I became a licensed cosmetology instructor and later earned my Illinois Board of Education CTE License. I currently write cosmetology curriculum for middle and high schools, bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world beauty career pathways. My programs offer students a direct pipeline into entrepreneurship, advanced textured hair education, and multicultural beauty expertise.

As the Founder & CEO of Ivana Miles LLC and Ivana Miles Beauty Academy, I lead a tech-enabled, culturally-rooted beauty education platform for aspiring and emerging professionals who have been underserved by outdated, one-size-fits-all cosmetology schools. Unlike traditional programs, our academy combines hands-on learning, elite mentorship, business strategy, and leadership development to help students grow from stylist to CEO.

My journey has also been shaped by prestigious entrepreneurial training, including graduating from the Bank of America Women’s Entrepreneurship Program at Cornell University and Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women in Business Program. I am a proud member of IOTA PHI LAMBDA Sorority, Inc. – Zeta Pi Chapter, where I continue to serve and uplift women in business and education.

At my core, I am a bold, faith-filled educator committed to building legacy, leadership, and self-worth through beauty. My work is not just about styling hair—it’s about shaping futures.

Cosmetologist. Educator. CEO. Legacy Builder. I don’t just teach beauty—I teach ownership, confidence, and six-figure vision.