Vanessa comes from the industry where she worked for JCPenneys for 8 years after graduating from the Adult Education Program of Cosmetology held at Marshall High School. She has taught as a substitute instructor in the Adult Education Program since 2003. Vanessa studied advanced hair cutting/styling courses and makeup artistry at the Dudley Institute in Washington , DC in 1998/1999 and performed as platform artist in a number of hair shows for JCPenneys and Dudley Institute.