IN THE MEDIA New Cosmetology School in Knoxville Opens Soon
Family Owned Company Adds Career Opportunities Student Scholarships

Knoxville, TN---- Douglas J now has 9 locations in the region. The company's sixth Aveda Institute is getting ready to open in downtown Knoxville, providing jobs and a top rated education for a career in cosmetology or esthiology. Scholarships are available to the first class of students beginning early Fall of this year.

Douglas J has been a strong presence in Michigan for 44 years. For its first 20 years the company focused on growing its ground-breaking salon and spa and making Douglas J a household name in the Lansing area. In 1986 Douglas J opened its first beauty school to provide an uncompromised level of quality education. Since then, Douglas J has not only remained a constant provider of a quality education, but has stepped to the forefront of the industry by continually raising the bar for excellence in Cosmetology education. The company is now expanding into downtown Knoxville on South Gay Street.

"I love the city of Knoxville and we are excited and proud to be a part of the downtown area. We will enrich this region with top of the line training for the fashion, beauty and wellness industries and are pleased to provide new jobs." Scott Weaver, President of Douglas J Companies.
In the past 15 years, Douglas J has expanded from one salon and one school to the largest Michigan-based salon employer in the State and now encompasses 6 Institutes in Michigan, Illinois and Tennessee plus 3 salons and a Day Spa.
"The growth of our business into new cities is very exciting for our company. We take pride in enhancing the communities we do business in by offering career training for students and salon-like services for guests at a fraction the cost of other salons," says Kristi Bernhardt, CFO of Douglas J Companies.

The East Lansing-based company is also a part of the Aveda network of salons and Institutes. Douglas J was started in 1967 by Douglas Weaver in East Lansing, Michigan and is now operated by his sons, Scott and T.J. Weaver. Doug started his company with a vision for his own salon based on three simple principles; provide an uncompromising level of service for his guests, create thriving career opportunities for people within the salon industry, and to give back to the communities that Douglas J serves.

Douglas J is a regional company that runs spas, salons and cosmetology institutes in Ann Arbor, East Lansing, Grand Rapids, Knoxville, Lansing, Okemos, Royal Oak and Chicago employing more than 450 technical staff, educators and support staff.

Both the Douglas J Salons and the DJ Salon and Spa are known for cutting edge experience in hair and color. The Day Spa in renowned for a spa experience with a true focus on guest satisfaction and the anticipation of every need.

The Aveda Institute is a highly esteemed institution that offers programs in cosmetology and esthiology to prepare its students for careers in the salon industry.

Contact:
Christina Minnis
christina.minnis@douglasj.com