Andrew McAleese

Founder and Owner

Founder and Owner, Andrew McAleese, spent 23 years in the salon industry, working as a stylist, salon owner, and educator for manufacturers and distributors. In his experience, Andrew noticed that the technical foundation and personal development required to launch a stylist’s career had a lot of gaps.

In 2003, Andrew met Don Bewley, the founder of Eufora, who became Andrew’s mentor. Don was seeking people who were really passionate about the hair industry, who wanted to take it back from the big companies, and who wanted to raise the quality of the experience and products available.  Andrew and Don saw something in each other, something they really wanted to get behind, and grow together.

Andrew was mentored and trained, and then in 2004, he went on the road for 7 years educating salon owners, stylists, and consultants in distribution, marketing, and technical support. He also launched the Eufora brand in a variety of different markets in the US and Canada, and really saw the full picture of the industry from creating products and cutting systems, to best practices in working with guests on the salon floor.

Andrew learned so much about what was possible in the industry that he became passionate about sharing this with new stylists. He knew that he could empower people coming into the industry, so they could play a bigger game. He wanted to provide more opportunities for hairstylists to take ownership of their careers.

In 2009, Andrew bought a century-old brick building on one of the oldest streets in downtown Guelph. In 2010, he started the first class of La Luma Academy, so he could share his knowledge and skills in a unique way with new students. He integrated all the experiences he had on the road and, as a Master Stylist, into the La Luma curriculum.  In the last 9 years he has recruited and trained the awesome Education and Management team that we have here today.

With his years of experience in the salon industry, Andrew understands the needs and challenges of the contemporary stylist and salon owner. He has coached, taught and mentored across North America as part of Eufora International’s Global Business Team. In his roles as salon owner, stylist and educator, he has prepared countless young stylists for successful careers in the beauty industry. Andrew founded La Luma Academy to give students a resilient start on their life journey so they can build a wealthy future. Andrew is a true visionary. He sees the big picture and is brilliant at creating and mobilizing a team to put that vision into action.