"The business and technical training that the students at Kohler Academy are going to receive will give them an amazing advantage in the beauty industry."

Dean, The Ohio Academy Co-Owner, Noire Blanc Color Studio
Cleveland, OH
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Jill Kohler
President & Founder

No one believes in the beauty industry more than Jill Kohler. She continues to be an advocate for raising levels of professionalism and building greater respect for qualified and creative cosmetologists.

Kohler began her salon-related career in 1993, in the Marketing and Education division of Nexxus Products, a leading international manufacturer of shampoos, conditioners, and styling products.

In 1996, the Professional Beauty Association tapped her to help construct The Salon Association (TSA), which is now a powerful group of over 7,000 salons and spas across the United States and Canada.

As TSA managing director, Jill worked tirelessly on behalf of the beauty industry. Through the Beacon Initiative, for example, she developed an outreach program to improve recruitment opportunities at top salons for qualified cosmetology students. She also coordinated and actively participated in TSA’s lobbying efforts on behalf of employment-based salons.

Jill, a native of Nebraska, lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with her husband and two sons.

Burt Kohler
Co-Founder & Creative Director

When looking for someone to take on the marketing and public relations responsibilities of Kohler Academy, Jill and Burt didn’t have to go very far.

Burt has more than fifteen years of marketing experience in a variety of industries, including several years in Southern California's action-sports apparel industry. Performing marketing, public relations and production duties for several labels, under parent companies including Sierra West, MEI Apparel, and L&H Apparel, Burt has engaged targeted consumers through traditional and unconventional marketing efforts.

Client relations, copywriting, event planning, media relations, and creative campaign management are but a few of Burt’s special talents. He also knows the Southwest market, having served five years at the award-winning Montague & Company Marketing Communications, an integrated marketing firm and one of the Valley’s top public relations companies.

Burt enjoys time off hanging out and being creatively inspired by his and Jill's two boys, constantly reminded of how some of the most innovative and creative ideas come from children.