OUR MISSION

Pivot Point International is a leading publisher and provider of hairdressing and beauty education solutions for training organisation, salons, students, individual stylists and international distributors. The company’s brandfolio, including A Designer’s Approach™, Salon Fundamentals™, Artist Access®, Exam Ace™, Snap Cap®, Meta™, Mindful Teaching® and Salonability™, can be found on six continents. Since 1962 when Leo Passage founded the Pivot Point Beauty School in Chicago, Illinois, the company has empowered and embraced hair designers who elevate their skill to a higher level of artistic creativity.

Lifelong learning is the cornerstone upon which the company has built 50 years in the industry. Pivot Point-educated beauty professionals are bold and curious in their pursuit of a successful career because they know how to approach every client with the precision and artistry indicative of the Pivot Point method.

Pivot Point Global map showing locations they are available around the world.

OUR FOUNDER

In 1958, Leo Passage immigrated to America from the Netherlands with his young wife, Lenie, and created a network of hairdressing education that is now taught in countries around the globe.

During his long career, Passage won more than 95 competitions and gained a reputation as an enterprising visionary. In 1961, he captured the coveted titles of World Supreme Champion and Hairdresser of the Year at the International Beauty Show in New York City.

Through his interest in the Bauhaus principles of art and design, Passage saw how that movement’s ideas could be applied to teach hairdressing. In 1962, he opened the first Pivot Point Beauty School at the corner of Howard and Clark streets on the north side of Chicago. It is there that he developed and refined the system of hairdressing that has become the gold standard in cosmetology education.

At a little more than 5’6”, Leo Passage was a giant in the industry who showed that solid education, a clear vision of goals and a passionate desire to be the best will make you a leader, not a follower. Today, his legacy lives on in all Pivot Point educators and graduates in the best salons, spas and companies around the world.

HOW OUR MANNEQUINS ARE MADE

Ever wonder how our mannequins are made? There are many steps that include cuticle smoothing, bathing, conditioning, drying, hackling, mask makeup, implantation, and much more. This carefully executed process gives you the most realistic educational experience possible!