[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.nathanlayneinstitute.com\/student-spotlight-daizy-koonce-cosmetology\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.nathanlayneinstitute.com\/student-spotlight-daizy-koonce-cosmetology\/","headline":"Leaving Medicine to Pursue Beauty Passion","name":"Leaving Medicine to Pursue Beauty Passion","description":"Editor’s note: This blog post was originally published on June 7, 2024 and refers to Aveda Institute – Boise or Aveda Institute – Twin Falls, which are now Nathan Layne Institute campuses. Learn more. Growing up in a family of eleven, with nine sisters and a younger brother, life was anything but boring. My mom […]","datePublished":"2026-08-17","dateModified":"2026-08-17","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.nathanlayneinstitute.com\/author\/angela-reed\/#Person","name":"Angela Reed","url":"https:\/\/www.nathanlayneinstitute.com\/author\/angela-reed\/","identifier":15,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ffa96050958e7b79aad0d2eb6c6603bbfdded74322502f015e4e385aa67a165e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ffa96050958e7b79aad0d2eb6c6603bbfdded74322502f015e4e385aa67a165e?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Nathan Layne Institute of Cosmetology","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/nlistage.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nathan-layne-logo-4.png","url":"https:\/\/nlistage.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/nathan-layne-logo-4.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.nathanlayneinstitute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Daizy-Koonce.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.nathanlayneinstitute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Daizy-Koonce.jpg","height":300,"width":300},"url":"https:\/\/www.nathanlayneinstitute.com\/student-spotlight-daizy-koonce-cosmetology\/","about":["Alumni"],"wordCount":885,"articleBody":"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEditor’s note: This blog post was originally published on June 7, 2024 and refers to Aveda Institute – Boise or Aveda Institute – Twin Falls, which are now Nathan Layne Institute campuses. Learn more.Growing up in a family of eleven, with nine sisters and a younger brother, life was anything but boring. My mom wasn’t really into the whole beauty thing, so I naturally became the go-to hairstylist for my sisters.We’d have these pretend spa days where I\u2019d be in charge of the comb and brush, creating hairstyles and having a blast. It was during these moments that my love for beauty started to bloom, even though I didn’t fully realize it at the time.From Nursing to BeautyDespite my passion for beauty, I initially aimed for a career in the medical field.It seemed like the responsible choice, right?So, I ended up working at a nursing home, helping the elderly residents. Interestingly, the nursing home had a small salon where the ladies would get their perms done.One day, while chatting with the stylist, my old love for beauty resurfaced. She suggested I check out Aveda Institute in Twin Falls, a top-notch cosmetology school affiliated with Nathan Layne Institute.Deep down, I knew that my true passion was making people feel beautiful. The world of cosmetology called to me, and I decided to dive in headfirst.Before I knew it, I had signed up and started classes the following month.The Deciding Factor: Aveda\u2019s Welcoming AtmosphereChoosing Aveda over other schools was a game-changer.I had initially considered a different school, but when I visited Aveda Institute – Twin Falls, their friendly and welcoming atmosphere won me over. The staff made me feel so at home, and I just knew it was the right place for me.Navigating Day-to-Day Life as a Student at AvedaI\u2019d still help out at the nursing home on my days off from school, doing vitals and passing out meds. Balancing my medical job and cosmetology classes wasn\u2019t easy, but it was worth it.Life at Aveda is a mix of challenges and rewards.We have classes from Tuesday to Saturday, with theory lessons on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The rest of the time, we’re on the salon floor, working with real clients.It\u2019s like a free therapy session: I get to chat with clients, learn new techniques, and see the joy in their faces when they love the results.Facing and Overcoming Early Career FearsOf course, not everything comes easily. I still remember my first day on the salon floor after finishing the foundational course. A client came in with dark hair, wanting to go platinum blonde with red and black lowlights.I was terrified!The process took from 9 am to 6 pm, and I must have asked my instructors a million questions. In the end, the result was great, but I was a nervous wreck. Now, whenever I get a similar request, I still get a bit anxious, but I\u2019ve learned to handle it better.Support and Growth: Aveda Institute\u2019s Role in MyJourneyThe support from the Aveda team has been amazing!They\u2019ve recognized my potential and given me opportunities to grow. For example, our admissions director once asked me to join her at a school fair to talk about the beauty industry. Her confidence in me was such a huge boost and made me even more determined to succeed.Future Plans: Certifications and Opening a SalonAfter graduation, I want to become a well-rounded professional. I\u2019m already lash certified and plan to go back to Aveda Institute to complete the barbering program.I want to gather as many certifications as I can and eventually open my own salon.At first, I thought I could jump straight into owning a business, but the staff wisely advised me to gain more experience first. I\u2019m really grateful for their guidance and now plan to work under seasoned professionals before taking that big step.Reflecting on Growth and PurposeLooking back, I can see how much I\u2019ve grown, both personally and professionally. The beauty industry isn\u2019t just about making people look good; it\u2019s about making them feel good, too. And that\u2019s something I\u2019ve always been passionate about.Advice for Aspiring Beauty ProfessionalsFor anyone thinking about a career in beauty, I can\u2019t recommend Aveda Institute enough. The sense of community and support here is incredible. We\u2019re not just students. We\u2019re a family, always ready to help each other out. And if you\u2019re like me, transitioning from another field, know that it\u2019s never too late to follow your true passion.So here I am, Daizy with a \u201cz\u201d, named after a street sign in Mexico, carving my own path in the world of beauty and loving every minute of it.Take the First Step Towards Your Beauty CareerIf Daizy\u2019s journey resonates with you and you\u2019re ready to take your first step into the world of beauty, don\u2019t wait!Explore the exciting programs at Aveda – Twin Falls and see how you can transform your passion into a rewarding career. Join our family today and start your journey to making people feel beautiful, inside and out.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Leaving Medicine to Pursue Beauty Passion","item":"https:\/\/www.nathanlayneinstitute.com\/student-spotlight-daizy-koonce-cosmetology\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]