Principal
Candyce Bakke
Director of Operations
Candyce thrives as a high-performing entrepreneur who has pioneered multiple sustainable businesses with engaged teams. Her unique approach to leadership is built on nearly two decades of experience, a deep investment in herself, building tools to support her teams, and a tenacity to triumph over tragedy and setbacks.
Candyce Attended the Salon Summit Business College in Tampa, FL, becoming an industry leader, incorporating Summit’s cutting-edge business model into Saskatchewan’s salon industry. Candyce is also an advocate for empowering and mentoring women, with initiatives that benefit and engage the community.
While inspired to build and sustain Saskatchewan’s creative industries, she has blazed entrepreneurial trails with a solid track record of investing in people, supporting communities and advancing an industry she loves.
In her newest venture My life Planner she proudly shares the tools birthed from the commitment to enjoy all life has to offer while continuing to achieve success as an entrepreneur and mother of two young boys. She inspires others with her passion as she shares the stories of the strength she has gained through her vast life experiences.
Awards & Achievements
Hairstyling & Barbering Education Team
Siobhan Loos
Vice Principal & Lead Educator
Beginning her career as a Richards Beauty College alumni in 1985, Siobahn has 30 years of industry experience! She has been an educator for 18 years at Richards Beauty College and a competition mentor for Skills Canada Saskatchewan for 14 years. She is considered to be a Hairdressing Expert by the National Technical Committee of Skills Canada.
Awards & Achievements
Gena Kropinak
Basic Design & Hair Cutting Educator
Gena began her career as a Richards Beauty College Alumni in 1994. She worked behind the chair for 17 years. “I wanted to share my passion for the industry with others.” She was given the opportunity to become an educator at Richards Beauty College in 2011. Gena spent two years mentoring under Carol Scott & Siobhan Loos.
Carol Scott was an educator at Richards for 30 years, in which she taught both men’s & women’s haircutting techniques. Carol attended many Cicilia Leatherberry advanced haircutting classes, was a Platinum Master Judge & a trainer for Skills Canada.
Under the mentorship of Carol & Siobhan, Gena was groomed to teach texture, design & haircutting. She now shares her wealth of knowledge with her students in her current role as The Style Academy’s 101 Hairstyling program.
Gena has taken advanced design & colour classes from Redken Educators Jorge Jaio & Sean Godard. She is a Wella accredited senior colour specialist, as well as a waxing technician. Gena holds her Red Seal Journey Person and is The Style Academy’s Academic Advisor.
“As an Educator I am committed to helping each of my students achieve success. Teaching 101 skills to my students can be challenging for them at first, but watching them grow as they journey through their program is amazing! This is a very rewarding industry, but it takes a lot of hard work and determination."
In the end, I want my students to think to themselves, "because of you, I never gave up."
Ryan Desjarlais
Floor Educator for Guest Services
Ryan Desjarlais born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan brings over 26 years of experience behind the chair. In 2000 Ryan moved to London England to expand his creative and educational opportunities in the world of Hairstyling. After 20 years of working abroad Ryan has returned to Regina to inspire and guide the next generation of stylists.
"I decided to move back to Canada to be closer to my family and hopefully share some of what I have learned with the hairstyling community who I intern am excited to learn from as well!"
Ryan’s England highlights include:
-London/Paris Fashion Weeks
-Music videos
-Movie sets
-Celebrity hair for the cover of a top British magazine
-Burberry Lookbook
-Wigs for Westend Musical London (Miss Saigon)
Spa & Makeup Education Team
Leanne Brown
Advanced Nail Tech Educator
Leanne Brown is a Richards Alumni, graduating in 2003 from Cosmetology, Advanced Esthetics & Nails. Leanne is a creator, designer, innovative trendsetting nail artist and self proclaimed “Nail Nerd”. Having worked in the industry for more than 13 years, Leanne is trained in many gel and acrylic lines. Being recognized by the nail community, many of her couture looks have been published in Nail magazines. Leanne continues to grow as a nail artist by updating her education and staying on top of new products and techniques.
“I am so excited to dedicate my time to contemporary design & art through the wonderful nail industry. I have high hopes of sharing my passion and love of creativity through the art of nail design. I have the ability to think outside the box and bring knowledge of the industry in every aspect from, helping students acquire the technical, creative and work ethic skills they need to be successful nail techs & entrepreneurs in the workplace.”
Tasha Rhead
Medical Esthetics Educator
Tasha Rhead is a Medical Esthetics Educator & the owner of Tabella Studio founded in 2011.
The pursuit of her career started as a Richards Beauty College alumni and she has gained over 20 years of industry experience.
Tasha is a familiar expert in the Medical Esthetics Field and her core exposure include laser, IPL, radio-frequency, microdermabrasion & chemicals.
Her advocacy for mentorship and development has led her to build a strong voice of empowerment in the beauty industry and she is always seeking opportunities to develop herself.
“I have realized that building a solid clientele requires patience & persistence and I believe that personal growth really comes from helping others to evolve as well. I will continue to impact the industry through mentorship & education.”
KRISTA BRAITHWAITE
Esthetics Educator
Krista, a graduate of Richards Beauty College, completed her Advanced Esthetics and Nail education in 2004. Throughout her time at Richards, Krista took the time to volunteer at various events through the school. She took that attitude of community and continued to grow her support and her community through participating in Sask Fashion Week, Hillberg & Berk fashion shows/product launches, other local fashion shows, and several trade shows.
She recognizes the importance of advanced education having taken additional classes in advanced nails and nail art, skin care and product lines. Not only has Krista advanced her knowledge, she has shared by educating at “Tech Talk” local classes for nail technicians to advance their skills. She has extensive customer service, retail, and management experience.
Lauren Dong
Makeup Educator
Lauren Dong is a Style Academy Makeup Artistry Alumni. Originally from a small city near Vancouver BC she moved to Regina 7 years ago for a new start. Eager for change and to dive into something she had a passion for she knew she wanted to create a career in the beauty industry. Her passion for makeup from a young girl pushed her to pursue makeup as a career and 1 year after her move to Regina she was beginning to establish herself as an artist.
Lauren has been trained in a variety of services over the years, ranging from makeup and skincare to lash extensions and facial waxing. Her true passion and specialization is in creating radiant brides that want to embrace their own naturally beautiful features. Lauren loves to explore her more creative side with whimsical applications on herself and other. She enjoys being part of a creative team behind the scenes participating in photoshoots.
"Throughout the years I have had to adapt to the changing ways of makeup artistry, keeping up on my education and new trends, but what has stayed the same is my love for creating beauty. Since becoming a mom, I have so much gratitude that my career has allowed me to have flexibility, a family and still be successful doing what I love most."
Support Staff
Cydney Frank
Marketing & Communications
Cydney Frank is an honours graduate of the Alberta College of Art and Design’s Bachelor of Design / Photography program. As a creative mind and award winner photographer, Cydney has always had a passion for the beauty industry, having worked as a beauty expert in boutiques.
Cydney has won photography awards and had her work featured on Applied Art’s magazine cover. Over the years her passions have led her to a world of graphic design and communications. After interning at The MacKenzie Art Gallery, she was able to secure a position on their Communications team.
Upon joining the TSA team Cydney facilitated the visual rebrand of Richards Beauty College to what TSA is today.
"I love the energy at The Style Academy and the opportunities for collaboration. Being a photographer, these professionals are who help bring ideas to life, and I love when students are able to experience that!"
Guest Educators
Jadi Rowan
Lash Extension Educator
Jadi Rowan was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan and brings close to 10 years of experience in the eyelash industry. An alumni of The Style Academy, Jadi got her start in the beauty industry as a Classic Eyelash Extension artist. Jadi immediately fell in love with the beauty industry and continued taking classes to expand her knowledge and skill set within the field of esthetics, though lashes was always her deepest interest.
In 2017, Jadi had the incredible opportunity to partner with The Style Academy to become a Bella Lash Partner School, making them the first and only Canadian partner. With this new partnership, Jadi travelled to Bella Lash in Utah to meet with and learn from their world class education team. Since 2017, Jadi has had the privilege of training over 200 students in the art of eyelash extensions.
In 2019 Jadi moved to small town Watrous, Saskatchewan to be with her husband, and with this new opportunity she decided to honour her passion for esthetics even further with entrepreneurship. Jadi co-founded 306 Day Spa, which opened February 1, 2020.
"I truly believe that each decision we make in our lives forms the path to living out our dreams, whether we recognize those dreams at the time, or not. If I hadn’t taken the leap of faith and registered for Classic Eyelash Extensions all those years ago,I don’t know that I would be where I am today - a lash artist, salon owner, educator, farm wife, and beauty-industry enthusiast… living the dream!”
Awards & Achievements;
- Bella Lash Educator, 2017
- University of Regina, Bachelor of Business Administration, 2020
- University of Regina, Certificate in Public Relations, 2019
- Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards, Women of Influence Nominee, 2022
- Dale Carnegie, Leadership for Managers Award, 2016
- Co-Owner 306 Day Spa, 2020
