Visual Communications - FIDM Grad Gets Creative
"My favorite project is always the one that I'm working on right now," enthuses Nikola Frank, Marketing Manager for John Paul Mitchell Systems, the well-known hair care company. "Launching new products and new product lines is always incredibly challenging and rewarding. It's like running a race!"

Nikola grew up in Redondo Beach, California, and she liked that The Fashion Institute was located nearby. "I came to FIDM right out of high school," she remembers. "I evaluated different schools and chose FIDM," she says, where she earned her A.A. degree in Visual Communications.

With the help of the job board at FIDM's Career Planning and Placement Center, Nikola was able to begin wardrobe styling while still in school. Visual Merchandising at Bullock's (now Macy's) was Nikola's first job out of FIDM. She stayed for about three years, doing freelance work for Emporio Armani on the side, before she decided to take her career in a different direction. "My first priority was to find a more challenging job," remembers Nikola. "I was definitely ready for a new challenge." She transitioned into working with hair salons on how to maximize their retail and visual merchandising, working for a Nexxus distributor as a Visual Merchandising Manager. As her role at that job grew, it became more marketing-focused. She helped handle more product launches and events, and by the time she left the company, her title was Director of Marketing. She was able to move on to Sebastian, where she initially focused on creating sales promotions, then took on more of a classic brand management role: market research, trend analysis, and new product introductions. Her position had an international focus, and she worked on both hair care and cosmetics lines. While working at Sebastian, Nikola added a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix to her resume.

What Nikola loved about her FIDM experience was "the hands-on aspect, where not only was I getting instruction, but I was implementing it in ways that I would in my professional life to come," she says. "I loved that the teachers were working in their given profession," she continues, "not only instructors but working professionals. I loved and was very inspired by the speakers: people from specific professions that would come in and speak to us." One of the things FIDM taught her was "how to come up with an idea and be able to articulate it and present it in a professional fashion." She goes on. "The skills that I learned here, and the tools to channel my creativity, are things that I use daily."

In fact, it's "the marriage of creativity and business acumen," as she puts it, that Nikola loves most about her present position as a Marketing Manager for John Paul Mitchell Systems. "It's a little bit of everything!" She describes her job responsibilities. "I do quite a bit of market analysis and brand management for all the JPMS brands. I do a lot of market research, brand analysis, working closely with sales." She's involved with creating promotions and brochures, and looking into new business opportunities. She advises aspiring beauty industry executives, "Be flexible. Contact your favorite beauty manufacturers and ask them what you can do. Offer them your help and expertise. Get your foot in the door. Doing what anyone needs you to do always helps!"

How do you know what career path is right to pursue? "You can't make a square peg fit in a round hole, so go with your passion!" says Nikola emphatically. "Your career is hard work. That's why I'm in the beauty industry--because I love it! Not only the people, but the manufacturers."

And FIDM helps keep her connected. As an alumna, Nikola is able to make use of FIDM resources such as the Career Center, network with other alumni at FIDM events, and return to campus to share her expertise with current students. "FIDM helps me to maintain a direct connection with others in my industry and within fashion. I love that I'm constantly asked for my feedback. I love that I'm constantly used as a resource to empower the students!"

As for Nikola's future plans, "I would love to remain in the professional beauty industry and continually find new projects to challenge myself with," says the 27-year-old who's inspired by "keeping my eyes open" as well as people and pop culture. "As long as I'm challenged and inspired and gratified by what I do. I love marketing, love it! It's constantly evolving."