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#1 Professional Beauty School, Bellus Academy, Expands to First Midwest Campus

Bellus Academy has acquired the Midwest's premier beauty school to become its first location outside of Southern California, and is poised to meet growing job market demand for beauty professionals. On January 1, 2011, The American Academy of Cosmetology and Massage Therapy (AACMT) became The Bellus Academy - Manhattan Campus.

According to the US Department of Labor, between 2008 and 2018 employment in personal care and service occupations is projected to grow by 20%. Skin care specialists are predicted to experience 38% growth. Massage therapists and nail professionals will experience 19% growth. Over the 10-year projection period more than one million jobs will be added to the beauty industry. Bellus provides students with the tools they need to climb the escalator to success -- and the Manhattan Campus has a waiting list of regional salons interested in hiring recent graduates.

AACMT was founded in 2005 by entrepreneur David Yocum and has quickly become the top beauty college in the Midwest with over 600 graduates completing courses in cosmetology, aesthetics, massage therapy and nail technology. The college outshines the most established schools in the region with its brand new 20,000 square foot facility, state-of-the-art equipment and mission of raising the standards of beauty education. The Student Salon and Day Spa is extremely popular in the Manhattan community, offering the latest aesthetic and massage treatments and hair styling techniques available. The AACMT staff of highly trained professionals prepares graduates technically as well as with business and communication skills for successful careers in the growing beauty industry.

Modern Salon and Day Spa magazines rank the Bellus Academy "Best in the Nation." Bellus Academy was founded in 1975 in San Diego and has expanded to 3 locations in San Diego County. Owner and President Lynelle Lynch, who took the reins in 2005, revamped the school's curriculum, goals and cadre of teaching professionals as well as expanded, remodeled and modernized all three Bellus campuses. Lynch is a renowned leader in both the private, post-secondary education and beauty industries and has been credited as being a pivotal figure in elevating the standard of professional beauty education throughout the country.