Starting beauty school is a big step in your life. If you’re ready to take that step, you need people who’ve been there before and will be with you on the journey.
CDRS Academy is there for you.
“We have 75 years of combined experience,” said owner Charlene Purnell. “We opened our doors to educate, empower and mentor future beauty industry leaders.
“CDRS’s core values say it all: educate, empower, encourage and excellence. Our mission is to enrich the lives of our students by creating an inspiring environment, by cultivating professionals through innovative, personalized, post-secondary education that prepares graduates for employment and success,” Purnell said.
This includes business skills, customer service, retailing and communications. They offer programs in cosmetology, aesthetics, manicuring, natural hair and instructor, and a barber-to-cosmetology crossover. They also offer advanced training for licensed professionals.
Meet the CDRS team:
Charlene Purnell
CDRS Academy of Beauty was established in 2021 by Purnell. “Ms. Char,” as she’s known, is a retired Army veteran who went from boots to beauty.
She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Professional Studies from Austin Peay State University and has been in the beauty industry for over eight years.
She is a licensed cosmetologist, licensed aesthetician, and licensed instructor for the state of Tennessee. She is trained in lash extensions, dermaplaning, lash lifting, brow lamination, spray tanning, training in cryotherapy (body contouring) and sugaring just to name a few.
“Ms. Char” loves what she does; her greatest love is educating the future beauty industry leaders. She has a passion for education, and she pours that into her students so they can be successful in the beauty industry.
Danielle Miller
Danielle Miller has had a heart for hair since she was a young child. She began doing hair at an early age in her parents’ living room every Saturday morning, which led her father to push her to further her education as a cosmetologist.
She was educated at TLC NuWave Cosmetology school in Clarksville. She received her cosmetology license in 2003. She received her Associate’s Degree in Applied Science from Hopkinsville Community College and her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Austin Peay State University. Danielle also has her cosmetology instructor’s license in Tennessee.
Rita Kendall
Rita Kendall has been in the beauty industry for over 40 years. She received her Master of Business from Strayer University. Mrs. Kendall was the former owner of TLC NuWave School of Cosmetology in Clarksville. She also worked for Delta Education.
Kendall is a lash extension educator, dermaplaning educator, professional hair weaving educator and a platform artist. The quote she lives by is, “Build the assets in yourself so that you can build assets in others.”
Samruay Sellers
Samruay “Sam” Sellers is owner of Sam’s Nails & Spa. She has been a licensed aesthetician over 10 years and has been nail tech licensed for over 10 years.
She is also certified in eyelash extensions, dermaplaning, and spray tan technician. She has an Associate of Science Degree. She speaks Thai, Italian, Lao, German and English.
Sign up for CDRS Academy
CDRS Academy is currently offering a 20% discount on tuition.
They also offer a CTE cosmetology scholarship to select graduating seniors from Clarksville-Montgomery County School System cosmetology programs.
Courses are offered on a full-time and part-time schedules to fit the needs of working students. School hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and every third Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
To find out more, go to the CDRS Academy website, call 931-919-2531 or email info@cdrsacademy.com.