Front of House Scholarship
Front of House, Counter Staff, and Jewelry Stylists play a crucial and important role in modern piercing studios. Front of House not only greets clients, checks them in, and gets their experience in a studio started, but often styles and curates ear piercings, does basic anatomy assessments and helps with troubleshooting, aftercare, and questions. They answer phones, kill it at social media, take beautiful photographs, and keep a studio clean and running smoothly. Without them, many studios could not operate to the level and volume that they do.
In an effort to help highlight the amazing work and efforts of the wonderful FoH around the industry and encourage others to take this career path, I have decided to start the Front of House Scholarship Program. This is a scholarship to attend the yearly annual Association of Professional Piercers Conference, and take courses to further your career and education as Front House.
This Scholarship includes a Full Pass to the yearly APP Conference. It is eligible to FoH working in studios only. Piercers, Apprentices, or Piercers who work both FoH and pierce do not qualify. This is for FoH/Jewelry Specialists only. You must pay for your travel and accommodations while at conference. I can help arrange for room share at conference, and also help any recipients with applying for a full course load.
Applications for conference 2027 will open on November 13th 2026, and they will close on January 31st 2027.
Meet the 2026 Winners
Esse
Safe Harbor Body Adornment
Esse Kaye (they/she) is a fat, queer, mixed femme working behind the counter at Safe Harbor Body Adornment in West Chester, PA. With deep roots in queer and kink communities, Esse’s interest in body modification is as spiritual as it is aesthetic. In the shop, she enjoys helping clients feel comfortable and enthusiastic choosing their jewelry for their piercing journey. Outside of the piercing industry, Esse is an accomplished writer, performer, and multimedia artist.
Miracle
Virtue and Vice
Miracle got their start in the industry as a niobium ring polisher in Louisville, Kentucky in 2019. Since then they have worked at multiple piercing and tattoo studios doing social media, inventory management, jewelry styling, and more. They are currently a Jewelry Specialist and counter for Virtue and Vice in Atlanta, GA, and also make custom chains for clients. They love the personal and interpersonal transformations they've witnessed while in this industry and they hope to make positive impacts on BIPOC and Queer folks who they come in contact with at the studio. In their free time Miracle likes to read, go to concerts, and talk about death and dying with friends and strangers.
Meg
Clarity
Working Front of House is more than a job for Meg; it is a passion. They began their journey at Laughing Buddha Seattle in 2021 before moving to Clarity Piercing in North Carolina in 2024. Meg is an advocate for the FoH community, providing education through the Front of House Collective. They are excited to build new connections and further their industry knowledge at this year's conference.
Miles
Hail Mary Piercing
Hey! My name is Miles (he/him), I’m a Queer/FTM Front Counter Staff at Hail Mary Piercing in Saint Paul, MN! Being my first year in the industry, I’m so excited to meet so many new faces and learn as much as possible. Body piercing is my utmost passion, and being able to be front and center in studio operations makes me unbelievably proud. Outside of the studio you can find me hanging with my partner and cat, going to punk shows, and hanging out with my local Queer community.
APP Conference
2027
Applications for conference 2027 will open on November 13th 2026, and they will close on January 31st 2027.
This is sponsored by the amazing folks of my Patreon who have made this educational opportunity possible
To Apply:
-You MUST be employed in a studio, and provide proof of employment as FoH only.
This can include social media, a letter from your employer, or studio websites listing you and your position.
-Please Answer the Following Questions
-Why do you want to attend conference?
-Have you attended conference previously?
-Are you able to provide travel and food accommodations for yourself while at conference?
-Will you act accordingly as a representative of this scholarship (abstain from heavy drinking and drug use, present yourself in a respectful manner)?
-What does being Front of House mean to you?
-What do you see as the future for Front of House in the industry?
-How can piercers better advocate for Front of House?
When applications are open responses will be able to be submitted via foh.scholarship.1@gmail.com.