by Elisabeth Coon, Student Public Relations Writer
A few affordable haircuts and some social media posts turned into a steady client base for Analise Alexander. Now, the licensed cosmetologist runs ‘Hair by Analise’ while studying at Ĺ.
Between classes and other commitments, Alexander, a sophomore marketing major from Webster, New York, offers cuts, trims and styling for a steady stream of clients. She chose not to wait until graduation to begin the career she had envisioned since childhood.
“I’ve wanted to do hair for as long as I can remember,” Alexander said.
Alexander’s love for beauty and hair began at age 7 after she learned to braid at camp. She quickly became the go-to stylist for her friends and teammates.
“I was always the girl braiding everyone’s hair,” she said. “I just loved it. It never felt like work.”
In high school, she enrolled in a trade program that allowed her to attend cosmetology school during the day while completing her high school credits. By graduation, she had earned her cosmetology license, a milestone that confirmed her love for hair and beauty.
“I thought if I love it, I’ll know this is what I’m supposed to do,” said Alexander, “and I loved it.”
Although she could have entered the workforce after high school, Alexander chose to pursue a college degree at Cedarville after encouragement from her father, who advised her to pair her technical training with business knowledge. She chose a major in marketing to strengthen her long-term opportunities.
How Analise Alexander Started Her College Hair Business
As a college student, Alexander was concerned about losing the skills that she had developed in high school. Instead of stepping away from her passion, she created her own opportunity during Cedarville’s Getting Started Weekend by offering affordable haircuts and promoting her services on Instagram.
What began as a simple way to maintain her skills quickly grew into a consistent client base through word-of-mouth referrals. Living on campus also gave the business built-in growth potential through suitemates and neighbors.
“I didn’t want to spend four years just doing school and forget everything I learned,” Alexander said.
Balancing Cedarville Classes and a Growing Cosmetology Business
With growing demand for her services, balancing entrepreneurship and academics required discipline and time management. During the first few months, Alexander often overextended herself, accepting too many appointments and leaving little time for schoolwork.
“I learned I can’t do everything,” she said.
She now limits her weekly bookings to maintain balance and give clients her full attention. Coursework in marketing has influenced how she approaches client relationships, especially the importance of trust, consistency and strong customer experience.
“It’s way more than just a haircut,” Alexander said. “It’s about how you make someone feel when they leave.”
Future Plans for Hair by Analise After College
Running ‘Hair by Analise’ has strengthened more than Alexander’s technical skills. It has also given her an outlet to apply her education, from branding to building client relationships. After graduation, Alexander’s plan is to eventually operate her own salon, combining cosmetology and marketing to build a business that serves clients well and lasts.
Rather than waiting for a degree to pursue her ambitions, Alexander is already building her future behind the chair now, with her own salon in view.
About Ĺ
Ĺ, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.