HITO Assessor profile: Jodie Stevenson – A passion for learning and teaching

Bay of Plenty business owner Jodie Stevenson’s fascination with becoming a beauty therapist began at an early age. After struggling with her own skin problems as a teenager, Jodie completed a short course that left her hooked on the industry and wanting to learn more.

In 2000, Jodie graduated from the New Zealand College of Beauty Therapy with CIBTAC and CIDESCO qualifications. Being awarded Honours for her CIBTAC International Diploma in Beauty Therapy and Body Therapy is an achievement Jodie is still proud of to this day.

In between caring for her growing her family and working in the industry, Jodie discovered her passion for teaching. She worked in polytechnics and beauty colleges, tutoring students, facilitating courses, and sharing her knowledge and love for skin.

After the birth of her fifth child, Jodie decided to take the leap and open her own beauty therapy clinic, Bella-Me Skin & Body Therapy in Kawerau. She has recently opened a second beauty therapy clinic and is looking to expand further, with another venture in the works. Jodie currently employs three apprentices, who she says are an amazing asset to the business. Her love of teaching makes training apprentices a rewarding part of her job.

“I wanted to share the opportunity to locals in my community, who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to study. All three of my apprentices are mothers, so being able to study while earning is a huge draw card for them.”

In 2019, Jodie applied to be a beauty therapy Industry Assessor with HITO, an important role in the assessment process for beauty therapy apprentices. HITO Industry Assessors are required to be actively working in the industry, and as a business owner and beauty therapist, Jodie was the perfect candidate.

“I am hugely passionate about upholding a high standard of knowledge in our industry,” says Jodie. “Treatments are changing and becoming more advanced, and beauty professionals need a solid foundation of knowledge to build on.”

Jodie’s roles in training and assessing future beauty professionals provide her with a great sense of joy. “I love seeing them grow in confidence and become passionate about making others look and feel amazing.”

Jodie believes that continually learning and upskilling is the key to keeping a passion for the industry alive. “This industry can branch into so many different avenues. It is always changing and growing, so there is never time to be bored of doing the same things every day.”  

First published in BeautyNZ Magazine – Spring 2022