From a leap of faith to a legacy in the making.
Enrolling at Ezell's Instead
On the day she went to sign up for classes at Murray State, Amanda had a change of heart. She enrolled at Ezell's Cosmetology School in Murray, KY instead, defying her parents' expectations and setting the course for everything that followed.
The Essential Day Spa & The Cutting Edge
Her first job at the previous location of the Essential Day Spa in Murray wasn't what she'd pictured. She transitioned to The Cutting Edge, a walk-in salon, and pursued massage therapy school at the same time — building a broader foundation before she ever thought about teaching.
Founding Great Ambitions
After four years at The Cutting Edge, Amanda taught cosmetology for seven years before opening Great Ambitions. She later went back to school for instructing, recognizing that her region lacked comprehensive cosmetology education. In 2012, that recognition became Great Ambitions School of Cosmetology — the first school to start completely from scratch with the Kentucky state board since the 1950s.
Finding the Right People
Building a school from nothing meant finding the right staff and instructors first — one of the hardest parts of the early years. What followed were the joyful milestones: watching students graduate, and watching the school earn a reputation for personalized, intimate instruction.
As the Shampoo Spills
Workplace challenges, difficult decisions, and a life-changing car accident forced Amanda to reevaluate her path and purpose. Through determination, faith and perseverance, she turned that reckoning into her debut memoir — Volume 1 of an ongoing series.
Growth on Her Own Terms
Amanda is focused on growing Great Ambitions with new locations in Mayfield and Murray, while staying close to the emerging trends that keep her students at the forefront of the field.
