Lompoc Barber Academy; Giving Back is the New Black

Do you love people who want to make the world a better place?  Do you love dogs, cats, horses, animals, people, nature, the ocean?  The leaders of Cosmoton, The Lompoc Barber Academy have always embraced a culture of giving back to the community they live in, the planet they live on and to the people in the industry they serve.

Since 2004 the staff of Cosmoton Academy have been lending support in a very personal way to a variety of causes. “Sometimes all it takes is a set of clippers, an open heart and an opportunity.” Is the battle cry of one of the learning leaders (teachers) at the Barber Academy.

In September 2018 Michael and Laura Funkhouser arrived in Lompoc and established a Barber Academy because they saw a need for well trained talent in the hair industry.  Once they had a physical location dialed in they immediately turned their attention to community outreach and in April 2019 volunteered at Lompoc Spring Fest doing braids to raise money for the Lompoc Flower Festival.  They have, with the help of their growing number of students, volunteered and raised money for the Lompoc Theater Project, Santa Barbara Old Spanish Days, Santa Barbara Alzheimer Research Foundation and Blue Sky Community Center.

“We love bringing our talents to festivals and events where the community is already congregated.  The guests enjoy the novelty of having a haircut in the park and our students get to have their lives touched by the joy they have just brought to someone else’s live.”

The Funkhousers have done events over the years to support The Childrens Miracle Network, The Gary Sinise Foundation, Food 4 Africa, Thirst Project, No Limits, Morris Animal Foundation, Best Friends and Haircuts From the Heart.

Since the start of Cosmoton Barber Academy in Lompoc, they have raised over $1000 toward charitable causes through Cut-a-Thons, Haircut Booths and Bake Sales.  Dollar by dollar, Cosmoton Barber Academy is making a difference in the lives of their community.

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School Leaders

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Michael Funkhouser – Educator, Cutting Specialist, and Style Pro

Our cutting, styling and theory specialist, Michael Funkhouser made a name for himself early in his career working high-profile events. He got his start in hair in 2004, and since then, his career has followed an astronomical upward path: from LA Fashion Week to the Miss America Beauty Pageant to the Miss Chinese International Pageant to American Idol, Teen Idol, and Chinese Idol. Specializing in Japanese and Curly hair cutting techniques, he is certified in the DEVACHAN cutting style. He also holds his barbering license.

Previously, Michael worked as a Paul Mitchel School Educator throughout San Diego, Pasadena, and Santa Barbara. He traveled throughout the country, passing on his skills to others and even running a series of events that culminated in a teaching role at Cosmoton Academy. He himself is a graduate of The Cao Institute of Aesthetics a Paul Mitchell Partner School.

A natural leader, Michael also does speaking and mentoring work. He is the author of Mentorship Portfolio, and he currently works at both Cosmoton Academy and Napoleon Blonde. He cares deeply about his students and takes an active interest in their education, an attitude that shines through in his work as an educator. Believing wholeheartedly about the value of style and beauty, he applies himself enthusiastically to sharing his skills and experience with others.

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Laura Funkhouser – Color & Color Correction Specialist / Educator

A color and color correction specialist, Laura Funkhouser got her start in style in Studio City. Trained by Master Colorist Joseph Ledda, a major figure in the field, she honed her skills for several years before taking a position as a colorist and instructor at Vidal Sassoon Academy in Santa Monica and Vidal Sassoon Salon in Beverly Hills. Equally passionate about styling and teaching, she has made it her mission in life to give others the benefit of all the experience and knowledge that she has accrued over the course of her 18-year career.

In addition to teaching at Vidal Sassoon, Laura has also taught at Wella and Paul Mitchell, and she has competed on multiple occasions in the Wella Trend Vision, NAHA, and California Stylist Magazine competitions. She champions low-maintenance colors in her work, helping her clients to achieve their ideal looks with a minimum of effort and budget.

Laura was a finalist in the high-profile Trend Visions Competition for Southern California, and she has collaborated with such luminaries as Tim Hartley and Annie Humphries. She believes in following her dreams, and she has done so time and again, pursuing her career all the way from San Diego to San Francisco.