A Paul Mitchell cosmetology school has opened at 15303 E. Sprague, in Spokane Valley. Paul Mitchell Schools is a franchise based in Costa Mesa, Calif.

Though the school's first class, which started at the beginning of November, is small, with just six students enrolled, franchisee George Brunt, of Liberty Lake, anticipates that the school will have about 100 students in various stages of training by the end of its first year. It currently has five instructors, and Brunt expects to hire between five and seven additional staff members over the next year.

Along with his partners, salon industry professionals Devri Sicklin, of Las Vegas, and Jodi Wonacott, of Salt Lake City, Brunt has invested about $1 million in tenant improvements and outfitting the school, Brunt says. The 12,500-square-foot leased space is equipped with 72 haircutting stations and can accommodate up to about 200 students, Brunt says.

Silvey Construction Inc., of Spokane Valley, did the tenant improvements, and David Frith, of Laguna Beach, Calif., was the project architect, Brunt says.

A new class will begin every two months, and students must complete 1,600 hours of training to become eligible to apply for a Washington state cosmetology license, Brunt says. He says the program typically takes students just under a year to complete. Around the beginning of 2009, the school will begin offering discount salon services to the public, he says.

Brunt previously worked as a business lawyer in Orange County, Calif. He had become familiar with Paul Mitchell Schools because his sister works for the company. He says he attended a franchisee seminar offered by the company and was impressed with the curriculum and what he says is an uplifting culture that the franchise has created, he says.

"The curriculum goes way beyond just haircutting," Brunt says. "It prepares the kids for success in the business world as hair professionals."

Brunt says he chose the Spokane area for his school in part because he has family ties here. He and his wife moved to Liberty Lake about a year ago.

Outside of Spokane, the nearest Paul Mitchell Schools are in Everett and Mount Vernon, Wash., Brunt says. Altogether, there are more than 100 Paul Mitchell Schools in the U.S., he says.