From the beginning...
Chad and Shawanda, married since 1995, began developing the concept behind Emerald Shears in 2010, when Shawanda began noticing consistent patterns in how students responded to the pressure of state exams.
What started as a simple idea—helping one student practice all the way up to the front door of her exam location—quickly proved powerful enough to develop into something more. That early success inspired them to create a tool designed to help students feel fully prepared and confident before walking into their state board exams.
Over the years, the foundation of Emerald Shears has been shaped by a clear mission: to reduce test anxiety by simulating the actual written exam experience while reinforcing the knowledge students have already learned. With a clean, easy-to-use interface, students who practiced with Emerald Shears consistently reported greater confidence, improved focus, and reduced anxiety during their official exams. Seeing a familiar testing format helped eliminate the intimidation factor and allowed them to perform at their best.
Today, Chad and Shawanda continue to grow the platform, collaborating with industry leaders—including educational directors, medical professionals, and multilingual experts—to shape Emerald Shears into a leading exam prep solution for Cosmetology and Barber students throughout Texas—and beyond.
Advisory Board
We are always looking for new members to join our Advisory Board and help shape the future of Emerald Shears.
Who we work with
Educational Directors
Educational Directors play a vital role in shaping Emerald Shears by sharing expert insights into how students learn best. With a deep understanding of every facet of Cosmetology and Barber programs, they help guide content development, ensuring the platform remains relevant, effective, and aligned with real classroom needs.
Medical Professionals
Medical professionals ensure the accuracy and relevance of Emerald Shears’ content related to biology and medical terminology. Their expertise in healthcare supports the platform’s commitment to providing students with medically sound, up-to-date information—especially in areas where health and safety intersect with cosmetology and barbering practices.
Multilingual Experts
Multilingual experts bring their advanced language skills to ensure Emerald Shears is accessible to a broader, more diverse student audience. Currently assisting with English-to-Spanish translation, they play a key role in adapting the platform for non-native English speakers. Additional language support is in development, helping pave the way for an inclusive learning experience across cultures.
When you reach out, you’re talking directly to the creators of Emerald Shears. We love working one-on-one with Texas instructors and students to ensure the platform truly works for you.
Shawanda
Education SpecialistShawanda began her journey in the beauty industry by earning her license through her high school cosmetology program. Driven by a passion for educating others, she later returned to earn her Instructor’s license. With a specialty in men's haircuts, it was a natural next step for her to pursue both her Barber and Barber Instructor licenses—further expanding her expertise and commitment to the industry. Her envaluable experience as an Instructor is the primary driver of Emerald Shears.
- Cosmetologist: 1994
- Cosmetology Instructor: 2005
- Barber Instructor: 2018
Chad
DeveloperChad naturally found his way into the beauty industry by earning his Manicurist license. He quickly discovered a passion for wellness and began specializing in Athletic Pedicures for professional athletes. Pursuing a dual career, Chad later returned to school to study IT Development with a focus on back-end web services, eventually becoming an IT Administrator. His unique blend of industry experience and technical expertise plays a key role in shaping the innovation behind Emerald Shears.
- Manicurist: 1999
- Developer: 2001
- IT Administrator: 2007