Sydell Miller flanked by her daughters Lauren Spilman (left) and Stacie Halpern (right). Beauty Changes Lives President Lynelle Lynch and Pivot Point International CEO Robert Passage
Sydell Miller flanked by her daughters Lauren Spilman (left) and Stacie Halpern (right). Beauty Changes Lives President Lynelle Lynch and Pivot Point International CEO Robert Passage

Sydell and Arnold Miller and their family’s lives revolved around the professional beauty industry. Arnold was a talented hairdresser with a dream of helping beauty salons and hairdressers prosper; Sydell was the dream maker who helped make it all happen. They started their first product company in 1971 called Ardell. The company made Duralash eyelashes and their first haircare product called Hennalucent.

In 1980, the Miller’s founded Matrix Essentials and grew it into one of the largest “Professional Only” Beauty Companies in the world. Under the guidance of the Millers, Matrix quickly became a leader in every major beauty category. Sadly, Arnold passed away in December of 1992 and Sydell continued to run the company until it was sold several years later. After Matrix, Sydell served as Chairwoman of the Board for SalonQuest LLC, the makers of Aquage and Biomega Haircare.

 In March 2017, the Millers were honored with the Legends Award by Beauty Changes Lives Foundation at the America’s Beauty Show (ABS) in Chicago. To celebrate this award, Sydell, along with her daughters Lauren Spilman and Stacie Halpern and her brother Dennis Lubin established a generous scholarship program to carry-on their family name in the industry they love and want to give back to. It is their desire to help elevate the Professional Beauty Industry through a $1 Million Scholarship Program for beauty school students and Next Gen hairdressers over the next 10 years.

“Our family is so proud to help accelerate the careers of future generations of beauty professionals,” says Mrs. Miller. “Our scholarships will give them the opportunity to become the industry’s future superstars.”

 The Scholarship Awards will be administered by the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity committed to elevating the perception of the beauty business as a viable and rewarding career choice. Visit BeautyChangesLives.org for more information.

The 1st Annual Miller Family Scholarship Competition will start on January 8, 2018. The deadline for submissions is March 5, 2018. Winners will be announced during the Beauty Changes Lives Experience at America’s Beauty Show by Cosmetologists Chicago on April 29, 2018.

 Below is an overview of the inaugural scholarships offered in 2018:

 The Arnold M. Miller “Findaway” Scholarship:

There was only one Arnie and there’s only one very special Cosmetology Student who exemplifies the “Find-a-way” Attitude and the Entrepreneurial Spirit of Matrix Co-Founder Arnold Miller. This unique Scholarship rewards that special student.

 Scholarship: One (1) Full Beauty School tuition up to $25,000 per Year

Qualifications: Open to current students who have completed more than fifty percent (50%) of their coursework. Student must be attending or enrolled at an accredited beauty school.

Requirements to Apply: Video Presentation from Applicant explaining how his or her “Find-a-way” attitude helped his or her career and a Style Portfolio consisting of photos of three (3) different hairstyles featuring long hair dressing, haircuts or creative colors. During the video, the applicant must answer the following special question. The focus is on originality, creative expression and artistic execution.

Question: Arnie Miller was known for his entrepreneurial spirit and his “Find-a-way attitude.” He would always set lofty goals for himself and his business, and he always found a way to achieve his goal. Please describe how you used your “find-a-way attitude” to accomplish a goal in your life or career path.   

 Fashion Forward Hairdressing Student Scholarships: 

Awarded to beauty school students who exemplify the term “fashion forward” in both their personal lives, as well as their artistry. Their special edgy style separates them from the rest of the class.

Scholarship: Four (4) scholarships awarded annually for one-half tuition, up to $10,000 each.

Qualifications: Open to new or current students who have not completed more than fifty percent (50%) of their coursework. Student must be attending or enrolled at an accredited beauty school.

Requirements to Apply: Video Presentation from Applicant showcasing his or her fashion forward attitude and a Photo Portfolio of three (3) different “fashion forward” hairstyles featuring long hair dressing, haircuts or creative colors. During the video, the applicant must answer the following special question. The focus is on originality, creative expression and artistic execution.

Question: Sydell and Arnie Miller always believed in pushing the “envelope” in everything they did, especially in hair and fashion. The Miller’s always believed in fashion forward looks, but they also strived to do everything in good taste. Please describe how you “pushed the envelope” in your personal hair style, haircolor and fashion wardrobe to fashion forward. Did you feel what you did was in good taste and would you change it if you could do it over? Also include before and after photos of a client, friend or relative that you made fashion forward.

 The Sydell L. Miller “Total Image” Esthetic Scholarship: 

Sydell Miller is the beauty industry visionary who predicted that Skincare, Esthetic Treatments, Body Care and Color Cosmetics would be key growth drivers in the Salon. This very special scholarship honors a beauty school student who shares Sydell’s love of Esthetics.

Scholarship: One (1) $15,000 scholarship to be used toward beauty school tuition.

Qualifications: This scholarship is open to new or current esthetic students who have not completed more than fifty percent (50%) of their coursework. Student must be attending or enrolled at an accredited cosmetology or esthetics school.

Requirements to Apply: Video Presentation from Applicant explaining why he or she decided to go into Esthetics and/or Make up, plus a style portfolio containing two (2) different before and after photos of an esthetic model and a make-up model. The focus is on creating a spa-like feeling with the esthetics treatment and showing originality and artistic execution with the make-up model. During the video, the applicant must answer the following special question.

Question: Sydell Miller was known as a visionary in the beauty industry. Part of her vision was that beauty didn’t stop at the hairline and “Total Image Consulting” was introduced to the salons. The clients of the day were looking for more beauty services in skin care, body care and color cosmetics. Please describe how you used Total Image Consulting on one of your clients or friends. Also show us before and after shots and a description of their hair, skin and makeup benefitted from your services.  

 Next Gen Advanced Education Scholarships: 

Sydell and Arnold Miller always believed that “being a student for life” was the foundation for achieving success in the professional beauty industry. This Scholarship is for attending Advanced Education Academies, including travel expenses.

Scholarship: Two (2) scholarships awarded annually, up to $5,000 each, to  be used toward beauty school tuition and travel expenses to an advanced educational program, whether at a Beauty School, Advanced Academy or Manufacturers Academy Program.

Tuition is payable to an accredited school of choice, travel will be reimbursed to the recipient upon submission of pre-approved travel expense receipts and proof of program attendance.

Qualifications: This scholarship is for licensed hairdressers who have graduated beauty school and have been working as a hairdresser for a period of 2-5 years.

Requirements to Apply: Complete an Inspiration Board with a 200-word Written Essay or a Video Presentation from Applicant explaining what he or she loves about hairdressing and what he or she hopes to achieve by attending an advanced education program.

Plus, a Style Portfolio consisting of photos of three (3) different hairstyles featuring long hair dressing, strong haircuts or creative haircolors. In the written essay or video, the applicant must answer the following special question. The focus is on originality, creative expression and artistic execution.

Question: Sydell and Arnie Miller always believed that “being a student for life” was the key to a successful career in the professional beauty industry. Describe what type of advanced education would you like to pursue if you were to win this scholarship. Please include what kind of program you want to attend, what is the area of study you want to pursue and what do you hope to take away from the program.

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