Seven years after graduating from Capital Region BOCES, a young entrepreneur returned to the Cosmetology program to share her knowledge and expertise with the next generation of hair stylists and beauty consultants.

Brooke Ross is owner of Rooted + Company in Clifton Park where she specializes in blonding and hair extensions. She also rents stalls to other cosmetologists. In 2019, she graduated from the Capital Region BOCES Cosmetology Program and Niskayuna High School and pursued a lifelong dream of working with hair.

On Monday, she spoke with students in the BOCES Summer Cosmetology program on the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center – Schoharie Campus about her journey from BOCES and Niskayuna High School to Fantastic Sams, the College of Saint Rose and salon ownership.

“BOCES was great. It absolutely prepared me for where I am today,” she said.

Ross said the path of business owner wasn’t easy, but it was rewarding.

“You have to be so positive if you want to open a salon. It’s a lot of physical work, but it’s also a lot of mental work,” she said, noting jealousy among others and criticism are par for the course when growing a business. 

She encouraged the students to use social media to build their client base to prepare them for their professional careers.

“Take pictures of everything. Post everything. It helps you build traction and gain followers and ultimately build your customer base,” Ross said.

Ross said that the $200 in supplies she bought for the Cosmetology program was the best investment she has made in herself and allowed her to pursue her dreams. After graduating from BOCES and Niskayuna, she went to the College of Saint Rose where she earned  bachelor’s degree in business management with a focus on entrepreneurship.  She also worked for Fantastic Sam’s and several other salons before renting a stall in a salon and then, in February of this year, opening Rooted + Company.

“You can make an amazing living for yourselves if you work hard enough,” Ross said.

Students said they appreciated hearing from a contemporary.

“It was nice She is young and she got it down to our level and made it very interesting,” said Jocelyn Menzies, a senior from Duanesburg.

There are more than 100 students—all rising seniors—who are taking part in a summer cosmetology program at BOCES on the CTE Schoharie and Albany Campuses.

During the program, which runs through July 27, students spend 120 hours learning from guest lectures and take part in labs as they compile the 1,000 hours that are required by New York state for them to take the state licensure exam.