Home Spa: Good Reasons to Make the Transition from Spa to Home Spa

There comes a point in every one's career when they are tired of working for someone else, or working for themselves within a drama-filled spa. There are many positives to working in a traditional spa from the caliber of advertising to it is easier to let someone else run the show. However, there are times it makes more since to work in a home spa. Top reasons why estheticians love home spas:

(1) You are in charge of everything! You decide prices, hours, decor and product lines. You decide how much you will charge for retail. You can customize your treatments anyway you like without someone breathing down your neck. It is 100% your own business. Even as independent contractors we sometimes get pulled into the business dynamic of the spa we work at, but at home you are numero uno!

(2) DRAMA FREE--There are no annoying staff members to work with--it is just you and the clients. You don't have to worry about combo spa services and the other person who might not show up. Yes, I've had this happen to me before. I was booked for a facial that was part of a combo massage package and the massage therapist didn't show up. So to save face for all of us at work, I ended up giving the client an 1.5 long facial to compensate for the "no show" massage therapist. I didn't get paid extra, but I went the extra mile so the client wouldn't give us a bad review. The massage therapist never apologized to me. Or there are times when you work at combo package like this and the other staff member is running late thus making you late. You can completely avoid this by working for yourself at home. There are no combo packages.

(3) Save Gas Money & Time-In this day and age of obscene gas prices who wouldn't want to work at home? Unless you are lucky enough to work two minutes down the road (I was that lucky once), but for the rest of us who actually have to drive several miles to our spas gas can get costly. Sometimes spas will book you for just one appointment and then you drive all the way out there and waste gas on one appointment. Not only does working at home save you money, but time as well.

(4) Customize Your Services to Your Desires-There are so many estheticians that are great at a number of things but they are cut off at the knees because their employer doesn't want to offer those services. Some people are great at makeup but their spa won't allow it while others might be great at Microdermabrasion, but their owner won't invest in the machine. Working for home allows you to customize your best skills to your customers the way you see fit.

(5) Got kids? With children's school schedules sometimes it can be difficult to pick up certain shifts at spas--seems like some of the shifts are smack dab at carpool time. It can be a challenge for a mother. Most spas don't give a hoot if you have children or not, if you are lucky enough to work at a place that will be flexible with you then you are one of the lucky ones, others aren't so sweet. Most owners care about the bottom line, which I understand, but it can be hard on those estheticians that need to manage motherhood with their careers so working at home can be ideal for those mothers.

Practicing Esthetics at Home: How to Circumvent Around the Strict Cosmetology Rules

  

(Disclosure: This advice is meant for entertainment purposes only--do not substitute your own judgment for mine.)

It can be difficult to work from home when many states restrict estheticians from practicing out their homes. It is understandable that states would be concerned for consumers protection especially when there are so many professionals who unfortunately fail on the sanitation score.

What do you do when you want to work at home, but the cosmetology rules prevent you? There aren't many options. You can either take a major risk by operating at home and losing your esthetics license or you can circumvent around the governing rules. What does this mean?

It means there might be a loop hole in the system. There might be a way to get around the stringent rule, and operate a lucrative practice at home without actually being in business. What makes it illegal to practice esthetics at home without approval of the cosmetology board is that you are setting a price and taking money for it. You are advertising a set price and taking money for that specific service, but volunteering your services is legal.

Estheticians are allowed to donate services to shelters, hospital and even friends. These people all have a right to donate a tip or money if they choose to. People without a license are allowed to do facials on anyone they choose as long as they aren't selling them. Even these MLM marketing people are doing facials, but they aren't getting paid for it (albeit they sell products and make money) so they get away with touching people's faces when they know next to nothing about skin care or products!

Even regular, unlicensed people can walk into Sally's and buy wax and facial products and perform these services on themselves or others in their homes, but a licensed esthetician cannot do the same if they receive money!  Non-licensed people perform mini-facials on children at spa parties under the guise of an entertainment company all over the country and they are still open for business. Retail clerks at some of the big box makeup shops have non-licensed people demonstrating skin care products on clients; some give many facials and others actually do a full skin care routine on a client without a license. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ANY OF THEM WASH THEIR HANDS BEFORE TOUCHING A CLIENT? Where is the cosmetology board then? Who is protecting the consumer at these places?

They aren't technically getting paid for the facial, instead they get paid for the product, but it seems to be in conflict with governing rules that only a licensed person can touch someone's face and accept money. Let's face it, they touch people's skin all day long, and we all know they give out terrible advice with no basis in education or truth, and they collect a paycheck at the end of the day.

Now, circumventing around this tricky roadblock to your success is going to take a bit of an open mind: offer services for FREE! Yes, I said "FREE!"  Do not require payment. I know most of you are probably chocking right now and wondering what drugs I am on at this moment, but think about it for a minute. You don't have to charge to get paid. Tell your network of possible clients that you don't charge but you kindly accept donations and tips.

I am sure your biggest worry at this point is "Are they really going to pay me?"
Yes, because if they don't pay you, you are NEVER going to let them come back for another service. While you can't set a price you certainly can steer them in the right direction, and once word gets out of what typical donations are, clients will get it. No one wants to look like the cheapo who gave $5.00 for a hour long facial when everyone else donates $40.00.

It might not be the perfect scenario for your esthetics practice, but it might be the only you can do it and protect your esthetics license. You worked hard to get here so don't put your license in jeopardy.

Estheticians Working From Home

                         Last week one of my favorite readers was kind enough to share with us a picture of her home treatment room. It was a work of art, it showcases her passion and love for the business.
 
                  
                 Working typical spa hours is not always an option for some estheticians, and giving up their passion is never an option. These estheticians might consider what it would be like to have an a home spa.

                  If this is the best option for you make sure you check your licensing and cosmetology laws. Many states require that you have a separate bathroom and entrance from the house.

                  Next, be realistic about equipment and supply prices, if you have never operated your own spa business before you might have sticker shock. It is easy to envision our luxurious spa when we don't have to actually foot the bill. When we are working at somebody else's spa we all day dream about adding this cool piece of equipment or this beautiful piece of furniture, but the reality is when you have to manage the budget yourself and the dollars come from your own pocket things change.

              Think about using a spa software system so your clients can book online instead of having to call you. I like Mind & Body, Schedulicity, and Styleseat--all of them have many packages at different price points. Don't forget a nice website and business cards.

               You will also have to manage pets and children (and possibly husbands) to make sure you spa has complete silence. In addition, you will want to make sure your spa is safe for your children (all chemicals locked away) and that your pets do not enter your treatment room, some people have allergies.
             The great thing about working for yourself is you get to control your spa decor, product lines offered, hours, treatments and prices. It isn't for everyone but for those of you who are ready to venture off on you, working for home and not having to pay booth rent might be a great option.

             Before diving in, put a plan of action into place so your new at home spa is a great success.

Pamper Your Clients: Don't Just Slap on a Mask and Leave Them

 I had a customer today tell me that of all the places she has had facials from luxury resorts, cruises to franchise spas that I am the only esthetician who didn't leave her while the mask dried. I was surprised. Her actual words were, "Most estheticians slap on some cream and walk away for 15-20 minutes while the mask dries."

I can't say that I was really surprised, I have heard many estheticians say that they do bookkeeping or inventory control while their client is left alone to relax. In theory it sounds good, the client can sleep while the mask is drying, but in dollars it doesn't make sense to the client.  I should know, I was a client for years before becoming an esthetician. One of my biggest pet peeves was an esthetician who left me for a long period of time; they didn't go the extra mile to make sure I was pampered, and they literally slapped on a mask and left me cook for 15 minutes.

When I became an esthetician, I vowed to give my clients my absolute best! On the rare occasions that I need to step out of the room, I quietly whisper to the client to let them know what I have to do and when I will be back, I am never gone more than 2-3 minutes. I can only think of  handful of times that I have had to leave my clients, situations where I needed an extra towel or I had an eyemask cooling off in the fridge. For my hour long facials, I am in the room for the entire facial, and with exception of those rare occasions I mentioned above, my hands are touching my client the entire hour. I vow to make every movement pampering, make every minute of those 60 minutes feel worthy of the high prices they pay for a facial.

What do I do when the mask is drying?  I do everything from a scalp massage to a decollotee warming massage to anti-aging hand facial ending with warm towels. For some of my favorite clients, I do a warm towel wrapped around their feet with aromatherapy oils. You can get creative as you want, and I change up what I do based on the supplies I have on hand, but I make sure each and every client feels extraordinary when he/she leaves. I want them to feel like the facial was worth every penny.

Think about it for a second, if you paid $75.00 for a facial for roughly 60 minutes that is more than a $1.00 per minute.  No one in their right mind is going to pay that much per minute to have a product slapped on their face, no they want more--they want to be pampered. For as much as they want their skin to improve, many of these clients enjoy being pampered. Most of these clients are financially savvy and they understand what they are getting for the money, and in some cases not getting for the money. If you want to build a clientele the best way is to give each and every client your full attention for that hour, make them feel like what they paid was well worth the money, otherwise they will go somewhere that gives them good bang for their buck! And DO NOT LEAVE THEM FOR VERY LONG--TOUCH THEM FOR THE ENTIRE EXPERIENCE--HUMAN TOUCH IS RELAXING AND CALMING!

Why You Should Always Include Your Picture With Your Resume

Yes, this is me! I am not a big fan of pictures so you won't see this very often!

 

 

 

Why do you need to include a picture of yourself with every esthetics resume you send out?

You are in the beauty industry, potential employers want to see you are professional and that you have the appropriate look for the business. They want to make sure that you aren't covered in acne; that you look clean and polished; and they want to see that you can project a healthy image to their clients. Can you blame them?  Why not weed out the estheticians that have abused their skin? The ones that have obviously tanned too much for one lifetime..the ones that have visible smoker's skin.

 

Some people consider it antiquated to include a picture with your resume--

Here is what I have to say to that, if what you are doing isn't working now, what does it hurt to include a picture of yourself? Does it hurt to stick out from the crowd? In my opinion, being the one resume remembered for its picture is far better than being one of the zillion resumes forgotten.

I have had several employers tell me the reason they called me was because I included a picture of myself on the resume; it made it easier for them to ascertain whether I was visually appropriate for their spa.

 

Won't employers discriminate against me?

Let's face the facts, all of us estheticians are under a microscope with both employers and people we meet who find out we are esthys. They are going to look at us with scrutiny to make sure our skin is as good as what we preach. I think employers have a right to discriminate on this basis, if you are in the beauty industry you have to expect people to look at you as a beauty role model. You wouldn't go to a hair stylist to get highlights when the hair stylist had severely damaged hair would you? No, because that hair stylist doesn't represent good beauty and health, and you wouldn't trust her with your hair. The same is true with estheticians, no one is going to trust us if we reek of smoke and have sun damaged skin, it is just a fact.

Estheticians: Resume Help

In this economy it can be tough getting a job much less one in a luxury services industry such as esthetics. What sets you apart from the other thousand estheticians applying for the same position? What skills and abilities do you have that jumps out to employers? Let me help you stand out from the crowd of estheticians waiting in line for the same job you want.

 

I offer several affordable package choices to get your career off and running today!

 

Basic Jump Start Plan-Let me emphasize your skills and assets by writing a winning resume to get the attention of employers. I will highlight the key words and skills that will grab employers' attention...just what you need to jump start your career! $20.00

 

Professional Cover Letter-Grab employers' attention with a well written and career specific cover letter. I provide you with a professional cover letter that highlights your best skills and abilities to help you get noticed. $20.00

 

Interview Coaching-Ready to go on an interview? Need help with the interview process and help answering questions so you are more likely to get the job in esthetics? With my esthetics and human resources background, I can help you prepare for the toughest interviews. Go in prepared so you get the job! Phone or chat--$30.00 for minutes.

 

 Reach me via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/grace.riley.5 

Send me a message today and we will Jump Start Your Career!

 

Author of JumpStart Your Esthetics Career: A Guide for Newly Licensed Estheticians and Spa Divas: A Place to Hang My License both available on www.amazon.com.

 

 

 

 

Key Factor in Securing an Esthetics Job

 Key Factor in Securing an Esthetics Job

             Sending out millions of copies of your resume after you graduate esthetics school can be emotionally exhausting. It can seem like the biggest hurdle in your life when you finally got your license only to find out that not many spas hire recent graduates.

              One of the best employment practices, and one that has worked for centuries is the old fashioned method of networking. No, not SOCIAL NETWORKING (that can be useful too) but the art of networking with people from all aspects of you life. You never know when a job opportunity might be lurking right beneath your nose.

               When I was in school, I used to get my hair done at this salon, not so much a spa, but a little salon that had a massage room. I had my eye on that massage room, dreamed of being that future esthetician, but I knew I wasn't getting my license anytime soon. "How could I get experience?" I thought as I got my hair done one day. I asked the stylist to give me the owners phone 
                                      number and  e-mail address, and I contacted her immediately. I told her I
                                      would work for free. It was not an easy sell even with FREE as part of the
                                      sentence.

                                                      The main problem for me was that I had zero spa experience,
                                      nothing-nada-zip and in the spa world that is bad news. I had work experience
                                      but spas could careless if you were the President of the U.S. if you don't have
                                      real world experience in esthetics--they don't want to waste their time training
                                     someone. In my situation, I had to constantly call the owner of the salon until I
                                     could even get her to agree to meet me about a "FREE INTERNSHIP."  How
                                     sad is that? I was determined to get her to say "yes" and she finally did.

                                                    Another networking scenario that turned out to be an opportunity
                                     smacking me right in the face was a nail salon. I would go in every other week
                                     to get my nails and toes done, and I would spend my time talking to the owner
                                     about the spa world and we would chat about the industry for my hour plus
                                     there. Anyway, after a few weeks she asked me to join her and work at her
                                     salon, and even when I declined (I already had a job in the works) she would
                                     ask me every time I went in for a service.
                        
                                                     In a different networking twist, I met a mother at a mom's group
                                     who was friends with a friend of mine. She was a chiropractor and she
                                      suggested an interesting agreement between us where we would operate a
                                       spa together that focused mostly on back issues, but one that would offer
                                        esthetics services. We ended up not going into business together because I
                                       had to move out-of-state, but it was a great opportunity.


                                                  Without networking, without talking about what I do and I what I
                                         wanted to do, I would never had come into contact with these opportunities.
                                         Not every opportunity will pan out, but having the opportunities makes it
                                         easier to get a job in esthetics. Even if you have been in esthetics for a while
                                          it doesn't hurt to have a network of people  and/or opportunities to pull
                                          from. And of course staying focused and never giving up on your dreams
                                          help make the difference between a working and unemployed esthetician.

Esthetics Books that Help Boost Your Career

Jump Start Your Esthetics Career: A Guide for Newly Licensed Estheticians has reached thousands of readers, and has helped many recent graduates find their way to an esthetics job. Many of my readers send me notes and let me know how this book has helped them with their career journey. I wrote this book because I was frustrated with the lack of career resources available to new graduates when I graduated, and it was difficult to get an esthetics job as a newly graduated esthetician. The school I went to had a job board, but the jobs were few and far in between. It was frustrating, but I learned how to turn this challenge into a rewarding career. In Jump Start Your Esthetics Career: A Guide for Newly Licensed Estheticians, I teach you how to find a job at a high end spa even as a new esthetician, while it is not easy many of my readers have taken my advice and they have landed jobs at swanky spas. When I wrote this book, I never fully intended to publish, it was more of a catharsis to the bleak job market for estheticians and lack of career preparation of many schools, I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would even sell one book much less connect with so many of my readers. This book has turned some readers into friends, and it has brought me so much joy to hear from my readers, and to help guide them on their path to success. I love hearing your stories, I love answering your messages on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/grace.riley.5) and on e-mail (gracerileypublishing@gmail.com) and I love watching so many of you succeed in your dreams.

My second book, Spa Divas: A Place to Hang My License was written because I wanted to share my first job experience with my readers--I wanted them to know that we all have bumps in the road on this journey we share. Sometimes our first couple of jobs might not be the ideal job, not the dream job we had been hoping for, but mistakes are valuable because they teach us lessons we could never have learned without those bumps in the road. This book is a true account of my first job, it was a crazy place to work, but it made me a stronger esthetician and more business savvy. It made me realize I had to look out for me, and that I had to be more involved in my career, and that I had to protect my interests in the future. When you are just starting out you will pretty much take any job, but here I had found this spectacular job at at swanky, upscale spa and it turned out to be an absolute disaster albeit funny to many of my readers, but it was the learning experience of a lifetime. The mistakes I made and the numerous frustrations I encountered at this spa made me who I am today, and I have no regrets. This book is a light hearted account of a truly crazy and ridiculous spa experience run by two housewives (akin to something off of Beverly Hills Housewives show) that had absolutely no idea what they were doing, and they ran it like it was a sorority party.

Both JumpStart Your Esthetics Career: A Guide for Newly Licensed Estheticians and Spa Divas: A Place to Hang My License are available on www. amazon.com

Coming Soon--"Spa Party Success Plan: Your Guide to Starting Your Own Business"

How Spa Franchises Can Catapult Your Career

Franchise spas are booming with new ones opening at what seems like lightening speed, everything from wax bars to full spas. Places like European Wax, Uni K Wax, Wax Center, and Lunchboxwax are making it easier than every for clients to go bare, and with full spa franchises like Natural Body Spa and Shop, Hand and Stone, Blue Mercury Spas, and then add that to places like Massage Envy and Massage Heights that focus only on facials and massages and there are a lot of opportunities for employment at the booming franchise businesses. Take your pick, there popping up everywhere.

Like them, love them or hate them--they provide some valuable employment resources.

How can working at a spa franchise catapult your career? For starters, many of these franchises that I have spoken to will consider hiring recent graduates because they will train you in their methods and as many of you recent graduates know getting a job in esthetics fresh out of school can be very difficult. Everyone wants experience, but how do you get experience when you have been in school? It is a catch 22 and to me personally I think it is unfair and unjust to discount a student's resume because quite frankly I've met a lot of students who are more professional and talented than many working estheticians. The franchises come into play because many of them give students a chance to learn more about the world of esthetics, to hone in on their craft. It is a great stepping stone to the next job.

How can working at a franchise help an esthetician who is already working in the industry?
Working at a franchise is can help expand your knowledge base and get you more free training. While a lot of small spas don't invest in training for their estheticians, these franchises train their employees. Even if you only plan on staying at a franchise for a short time, absorb every piece of training you can get and take it with you! Once you've learned their methods, you can use this on another job--it will help you whereever you might go. In addition, if you are an esthetician that is terrible at waxing, and you work at one of these places for a short time you will improve your waxing skills, and the same goes for if most of your business is waxing and you don't feel confident in facials--learn the protocols of one of these franchise spas and you will be confident in no time. They are a great stepping stone for new estheticians or seasoned ones that want to expand their skill base, and or/learn new trade techniques. Usually, these franchises offer the latest and greatest.

The question I have to all of you, especially you recent graduates, why wouldn't you want to work for a franchise at least for the short term? Why wouldn't you want to gain valuable advanced techniques to add to your resume, and to take with you on future jobs?

What if you intend to do booth rent? Would working at a franchise help? Yes, absolutely. You can learn about the business, and what works and doesn't work. Don't steal their business model, but use it as a source of inspiration and guidance on how you want to run your own business.

Author of JumpStart Your Esthetics Career: A Guide for Newly Licensed Estheticians and Spa Divas: A Place to Hang My License available on www.amazon.com

 

Why I Break the Traditional Interview Ice Breaker Games: Sometimes Unconventional Works!

Why I break traditional interview "no, no's" and why I it works for me--
This might sound totally nutty to most of you looking for jobs, but sometimes unconventional is what you need to find the right job--not any job--the job that fits you. We are so used to employers doing all the interviewing--they question us with what I consider to be silly interview questions like "tell me about yourself." I am generally thinking--what do you want to know--how I sit in a school carpool line an hour a day; that I hate mornings; or that I read the whole "Fifty Shades of Grey" series in a weekend.  

Seriously, this is such an over used interview question--and I think this line of questioning doesn't help reveal what your needs are in employment, and if you are a right fit. Instead, it is just a generic way to weed people out and frankly it wastes time--you can get down to business a lot faster if they would cut through the b.s.

I didn't start breaking the little, unspoken rules of interviews for fun--it was more about time management and getting to the point instead of playing these ice breaker games!






So what exactly do I do differently? I break the RULES! You are probably wondering why I would dare do that. I do it quite simply because so many H.R. people are little robots of their industry and they could save everyone time and money by cutting to the chase. I NEVER confirm an interview appointment until I have had the opportunity to ask a series of questions. WHY? The answer is simple, I don't want to waste my time or gas money going on an interview if I can ascertain over the phone that the place of employment is not a good match. What do I mean? For example, if I know that I hate doing Brazilian Waxes, and this spa calls me and tells me they want me to come in for an interview. I drive 15 miles each way and spend money on gas only to find out 95% of their business is Brazilian Waxes---well, I've just wasted a lot of my own precious time and money.

This is called Interviewing over the Phone Smarter by asking questions that are important to you. I will give you a list of questions that I ask, but these are particularly relevant to me and not necessarily to you. You will need to customize them to your own needs. I do this because I want to go on interviews that will actually lead to a job--not to me leaving frustrated that I wish I had found that piece of information out before driving all the way there. Here is another example, I got an interview for a job at this place that sounded fantastic over the phone. I researched them on the Internet, and I was sure I wanted  to work there. Then I asked my series of questions, and it turns out they do not pay the esthetician anything if he/she has no clients, which is fine, except they the esthetician must stay for the entire shift for no pay! Okay, I don't know about you--but I need to get paid. If I am not working, I am not staying unless I am getting paid! Period. So, in this particular conversation if I hadn't asked my questions, I would have driven 20 minutes only to find out this job did not meet my needs! Ugh, crazy time waster.

I have to say, most employers have responded well to my questions, it actually turns out that many of them appreciate me NOT WASTING THEIR TIME EITHER. This is a win-win for everyone because no ones time is wasted, and you save your precious time for a job that is better suited for you. I also find some employers think you must be smarter than the next esthetician because you are confident enough to ask questions (I am not smarter than any of you out there) and that you have the nerve to interview them as much as they interview you. Employment is a two way street, and it needs to work for everyone. I think the worse thing you can do is take a job you know you can't do: one that is too far from your home; and/or one that doesn't fit your lifestyle. You are automatically setting yourself up for failure.

Instead of waiting to talk only when questioned, I jump right in and ask questions. Yes, I have a big mouth and I like to talk, but more importantly I want to get down to business and stop these robot H.R. people from asking me lame and useless questions. And you know what, it has worked for me...every job I have interviewed for I got, and I think it is because I went in there with a realistic view of the job and maybe asking questions helped me look more confident. I think asking questions surprises a lot of interviewers because generally applicants are too nervous to speak until spoken to.

Below are some of the typical questions I ask. Remember, when you ask these questions do so in a polite and inquisitive manner, and not an overly intrusive or defensive way. You want them to be at ease and comfortable with you, and you want to seem genuinely interested in the position. Think of it this way, you are gathering all the relevant information you can about the position, and then with that information you can move forward with an interview with your eyes wide open, or politely decline.

Here are the typical questions that I ask:
(1) What product lines do you use? ( I ask this so I know if it is an easy transition for me-or will I have to learn a new product)

(2) Why is your current esthetician leaving? What are you looking for in an esthetician?

(3) What are the days/hours you need to fill? (I ask this because I have kids and I am a slave to their schedules!)

(4) What are your most popular services?  or What treatments does your spa do mostly (waxing or facials)? Or are the treatments evenly divided between the two? Do you do Microdermabrasion and/or Peels?

(5) What type of education and training is provided?

(6) What is the payment structure? Do you pay on commission or hourly? This next question is if it is commission and shift based. Let me clarify, if I work on commission am I expected to stay for the whole shift? Will I get paid a nominal hourly fee for staying on the shift for walk-ins or is this strictly a commission based? (This is important because a lot of spas are doing commission only and then expecting you to stick around for  an entire shift with only one customer--thus, you only get a commission on that one customer and lose money by sitting around waiting for walk ins--if no walk ins come in you don't get paid!)

(7) What kind of marketing and advertising do you do to attract customers (important one)?

(8) Do you offer retail compensation for selling clients products? What is it--5% or 10%? This gets them thinking about their compensation plan--it shows you know some about getting paid for retail. Some spas will take advantage of new estheticians by not offering compensation, most will tell the esthetician they aren't making enough money yet themselves to offer compensation--this is b.s.--demand compensation!

(9) Am I guaranteed a certain number of hours a week? How many estheticians do you have on staff?


Thank you for reading my blog! Grace Riley Esthetics, author of JumpStart Your Esthetics Career: A Guide for Newly Licensed Estheticians and Spa Divas: A Place to Hang my License both available on www.amazon.com.

Esthetician Spotlight: Meet Lindsey

                                             Esthetician Spotlight: Meet Lindsey from Idaho
                               Lindsey attended Austin Kade Academy and is about to embark on her on esthetics journey. While she is new to the field, her entrepreneurial spirit has helped Lindsey carve out her own business with ease and confidence. Read her Q & A below--this beautiful esthetician with flawless, baby doll, porcelain skin and just- as- sweet personality is sure to inspire you to achieve great things! Congratulations Lindsey on diving right into the field and paving your way on your own terms!

(1) Why did you choose esthetics?
       "I chose esthetics because of my interest in the skin care industry, but also because of the versatility of an esthetics license. The limitless possibilities of where I could take my career within esthetics was very appealing to me."

(2) Have you found a job yet
     " I am a very independent and ambitious person so I knew from the beginning I wanted to booth rent. Making the decisions to do so right out of school was very intimidating and overwhelming but I am looking forward to the challenge. When deciding where I wanted to booth rent I approached my options and interviews as two way streets. I needed to make sure they were just as good a match for me as I was for them."

(3) How did you find the booth rent location? Can you tell us how much it will cost you for rent? Did you decide on a product line and how are you managing that?
 "I will be paying $275 a month for booth rent, which is the cheapest of any location in my area. Deciding on a product line was one of the toughest decisions, trying to weigh the financial aspect of it and making sure it is a cost efficient line as well as a reliable, top of the line product for my clients was very difficult. There were a few things I looked for when choosing a product line, I wanted to make sure the company was well established, and offered product knowledge courses, as well as providing exceptional customer service for when I had questions or needed help. I also wanted to make sure they offered a full product line, without too many products to insure I or my clients don’t get too overwhelmed. Because I will be starting out independently the financial aspect of the product line played a huge role in which one I chose. It was important that I could order products individually, with no monthly fee or minimum purchase requirements. I will be using a few different product lines when starting out. The main line I will be using is Lira, as well as a few products from Cuccio Naturale, and Bio Elements."

(4)  Do you feel that your school prepared you well for the esthetics job market?
       "While my school did give me a broad understand and knowledge of many crucial things for a career in esthetics I found it was very important to research on my own, take advanced education classes and speak with other licensed professionals while I was in school in order to enter the esthetics job market confident in my skills and knowledge."

(5) What are three 3 things you wish they had taught you in esthetics school that they didn't. 
       "I wish they would have taught me more on the business side of an esthetics career, I personally believe those skills are just as important in order to be successful as knowing how to do a facial etc. I wish they would have taught me my options for continuing education one I graduate, and how to choose which courses and classes to invest my time and money into. I also wish they would have taught me a broader knowledge of not only product lines but also products in general, how to choose a microdermabrasion machine, which components of a 10 in 1 machine are crucial to have etc."

(6) What are your favorite esthetics treatments you like to give? 
      "I really enjoy giving body treatments. I love the overall feeling of rejuvenation you feel after receiving them."

(7) Is this a career change? Are you fresh out of school?
       " I was a semester into my bachelor’s degree when I decided to set aside the time to complete my esthetics program. I was pretty fresh out of high school when I started so other than a few part time jobs this was the start to my career."

All in a Day's Work: Life of an Esthetician

           Being an esthetician can be the most rewarding job--most days it is relaxing and calm--and then there are those days when it is wild and crazy. There are days when you might wonder if your clients are actually mental patients in disguise. Some will reveal every intimate detail of their lives to you; others will ask you for your opinion about their relationships while a few extra nutballs will do things that are darn right freaky and outrageous.

In one unbelievable facial I had a woman drop her robe, get buck ass naked in front of me and then afterwards she creeped me out when she offered to pay me double if I would go to her house. I don't know about you, but anyone that drops her robe and gets buck naked in front of me for a mini-facial and then offers to pay me double my rate is a bit creepy. No thanks, I think I will keep my normal rate.  Anyone who gets naked and then discusses payment options is a JOHN--she needs to go look at one of those spas for on the side of the highway cause this esthetician doesn't give HAPPY ENDINGS!

In another episode of the crazy clients gone wild, I had a woman tell me all about how her 28 year marriage ended recently. Her husband apparently would go off on little trips, and one day after a 5-day bike trip with the boys he told her he wanted to live with one of the boys! He left her for another man, took all of their belongings while she was at work one day and moved in with this guy. What does an esthetician do with this kind of information? What do you say? She mentioned she didn't see a therapist, and now I know why because she comes in here and gets therapy and facial treatments all wrapped up in one price!

Then I had a man who was super sweet come in to get a facial, it was clear he took great care of his skin, but throughout the facial he would tell me how old his wife looked. He complained about her smoking, and how the smoke made her look so old. He said, "Just between you and I she needs a Lifestyle Lift. I would never tell her that, but I can tell you." He was not happy at her lack of maintenance--I wondered for a moment how bad she would feel if she knew her husband thought she needed a face lift.

I hear things (and see things) that I don't want to be privy to, but sometimes customers want us to be their therapists. It is a very intimate relationship, the connection between esthetician and customer. Many of you who are in esthetics school might think that esthetics is simply facial treatments and waxing but it is so much more. It is a little business management, some counseling and a lot of esthetics--to be a good esthetician,  you have to be willing to accept these other idiosyncrasies.

My Drug Store Skin Care Journey:Sometimes You Get What You Pay For

1/3 of the Skin Care Products Available at Local Drug Store

 

I have some clients that continually use drug store products because they are inexpensive, or a friend of a friend's doctor recommended it. Some of the favorable mentions are: "Dove-Sensitive Skin Unscented" bars, "Neutrogena Facial Bar" and "Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash."

I went in with an open mind. As I browsed the drug store, my eyes were overpowered with all the skin care choices. How would a customer even begin to know what they are looking for with all the endless packaging and discount signs? It is crazy. The skin care product industry has exploded on the drug store shelves.

I looked specifically for the three customer favorites. I am not sure if they are favorites as much as they are their first pick on the infinite skin care shelf. I tested "Simple" first--I like the name and the packaging--and yes, it is rather simple--it evokes organic images. The first thing I noticed right away is that it truly has no fragance, which is nice for sensitive skin types, but it is thick and goes on heavy. My skin didn't not feel supple and smooth as it does with my professional grade cleanser. In addition, the organic images exited my brain as soon as I read "Methylparaben" on the ingredient list. There is nothing simple about "Methylparaben" it is a chemical that has been linked to cancer. I am not a doctor, but I don't want a chemical in my skin care product, period. There is nothing SIMPLE about chemicals...thus, the organic packaging might be pretty, but there is nothing organic about this product. It is banned to my trash can!

The "Neutrogena Facial Soap" has zero scent which is great for people who have aversions to scents. My skin felt clean after using this soap, but it didn't feel nourished at all. I am used to cleansers that nourish the skin and leave it feeling like a baby's butt. This didn't do that for me, and it is filled with questionable ingredients.

Finally the Dove bar, as I lathered the soap bar in my hands and applied it to my face it did feel quite nourishing to my surprise. There is absolutely no scent so it wouldn't bother anyone with sensitivities of that sort. Afterwards my skin felt extremely dry--immediately! I am not used to feeling like my skin is super tight and taut following a cleanse, and I put on my heaviest moisturizer to combat that my-skin-is-going-to-crack-feeling. Not happy with the results at all. I expected that my skin would feel nourished and supple, not cracked like an alligator's skin. Ugh. Terrible feeling! Then I went on a quest to find out what is in this particular soap, and I am disgusted in what I found: Tetrasodium a preservative, Titanium Dioxide a chemcial with possible links to cancer and a host of other ingredients that are more chemical based in my opinion than organic.

Yes, the products are cheap! Absolutely, I can't argue with customers that they can get cheap skin care products at the local drug store, but you definitely get what you pay for. If you want beautiful, clear and supple skin then the drug store skin care products are probably not for you. I know I am biased because I am an esthetician, but now that I have tried these products I can unequivocably tell clients that if they want to put chemical-filled products on their faces then they should keep on using what they use. I can't make clients use good products, but I certainly can educate them on differences between products. And once customers realize that the products that I use feel better on their skin they usually ditch the over-the-counter and buy the products I use.

Esthetics: How to Sell a Service Not on the Menu

It sounds counterproductive to sell a service not on the menu, but I've found that selling services to specific clients keeps my appointment book filled. Early on, in my discussions with the owner of the spa where I work I wanted to bring on teen facials, but she was adamantly against them. She said our client base was too old. There wasn't any business for teen facials. I had to accept this because it is her business and she knew her clientele much better than I did. Secondly, it was her business and I could only push so hard without losing the job.

I had a client a few days ago that wanted to chat during the whole service. I generally let the client lead the way and determine if they want to relax and sleep, or if they want to chat. My clientele is about 50/50. I usually try to steer them away from conversation so they can relax, but I have several clients that love to chat. Anyway, recently I had a new client who wanted to talk through the entire facial and during that conversation she mentioned having a 13 year-old daughter.

I decided to be my own advocate and talk up the "teen facials" and "make up" lessons that I do. I explained that while they aren't on the menu that I do an educational facial that teaches the child about good skin care. I didn't clear it with the owner first, but after her facial ended she booked not only another facial for herself, but she booked one for her teenager as well. The owner of the spa was not angry at me for offering this service, no instead she was delighted that I am booking more business. This lady that booked services happens to be the PTA President of a local middle school, so if I do a good job with her daughter that could potentially bring me in more clients if she tells other parents.

I don't know if the owner of the spa will ever add "teen facials" on the service menu, but at least I found that I can generate more appointments by talking about services on and off the menu. Clients won't book if they don't know what you offer. Clients don't know about all the great services if you don't tell them about it. Even if it is on your menu, clients might not realize how these services can help them if you aren't your own walking advertisement for it. If you have a chance to talk to a client make sure you are highlighting the services that you do and you might end up with more bookings.

Esthetics: How to Survive a Grumpy Client

I've pretty lucky in my esthetics career, I've never had a nasty client. In fact, I need to thank my lucky stars because I've always had nice clients.  I never took them for granted, but today I am even more thankful for the wonderful clients in my business.

Recently, I had the unfortunate experience of having the most unhappy person land in my facial bed. I had a "friend" appointment--if you don't know what that is, it is when friends book appointments together and one gets a massage while one gets a facial and then they switch. These two ladies come in, and the one lady goes with the massage therapist and as I walk out with my smile on, ready to embrace the day, I introduce myself to my next client who has the meanest look on her face. Even before I introduced myself she looked like a Rottweiler protecting his owners---she was scary looking--not because she was ugly but because the negative energy exuding from her.

Panic set in a at first because I am not used meeting with disgruntled clients. I knew this would be a challenging situation. At first, I didn't want to pamper this lady--who would want to? I thought "I will just give her a bare bones treatment" because I can't give someone a great service when they are so mean. She wasn't nice at all, even when I spoke to her before the treatment. She seemed mad at the world.

I decided that I had to pamper her like I would any other client, not because I was scared that she would curse me out if I didn't (she probably would have) but because I didn't know her background. Maybe she just had a chemo treatment for cancer, maybe her husband left her for another woman recently or maybe she just lost her job. I looked for that place in my heart that would have compassion for someone who clearly was disgruntled with life in general.

I knew at the end of the facial that it was likely that this woman would not be happy with my service, and it was even more likely that she wouldn't leave me a tip at all. In the end, she surprised me with a $20.00 tip for a $60.00 facial. I don't want to deal with unhappy people because I am a happy person, and I refuse to let my personal life, no matter how difficult it becomes to allow me to treat people badly. It is hard having a client with such negativity enter your treatment room, but I appreciate my happy customers who fuel my passion for life. They make me remember that there are still compassionate, kind and nice people out in the world.

This lady may never come back, or maybe she will surprise me and she will return. I don't know, but if she comes back I will try to ignore her own unhappiness and try to strive above it, and treat her with compassion. I want every client, no matter how unhappy to leave my treatment bed more relaxed and calm. But I have to be honest, I prefer working on happy clients--this is the best job in the world when you have happy clients. There is nothing better than making someone feel pampered and refreshed, nothing better when clients skin improves.

Managing Your Time: When Receptionist Books Your Appointments Too Close Together

It happens, but when your receptionist books your appointments too close together it is bound to cause you a bit of stress. You have a 1:30 hour long facial and then a back-to-back 2:30 facial, but the receptionist mistakenly forgets to add enough time in-between for your earlier appointment to have to time to get dressed, and to give you time to clean up and prepare for the next client.What do you do? It depends on your spa, but there are a couple things you can do. You can have the receptionist call the second appointment and ask them to arrive 15 mins. later due to a scheduling conflict, or you could hope that the first appointment arrives earlier and you can take them in earlier giving yourself additional time. Depending on what your actual menu says about the time frame for each facial you could cut down on the service time allowing yourself extra time between appointments. My particular spa says a facial is 60 minutes, but it also says that 60 minutes includes changing time allowing for a little wiggle room.  Worse case scenario is telling the client that you are running behind--especially since you weren't the one who inadvertently double booked without a clean up time--I think this is the last option--you don't want to alienate clients. None of the above are ideal options; it would be far better if receptionists could remember to allow clean up time in between appointments, but they are human and make mistakes. It is up to you to figure out a solution and roll with the punches. Remember, not to be nasty to the receptionist, instead kindly remind them of why you need that time--most receptionists have no idea what goes into cleaning up and room preparation for each client. 

In the future, always remind your receptionist how much time you need for clean up time and room preparation. I like 15 mins. in between clients. Before my first client, I always arrive a half hour to an hour early just to get in the mode.

Sharing Your Treatment Room: Staying Sane

                    
Sharing your treatment room is not the ideal situation, however, it is the fact of esthetics life sometimes. How do you share a room and save your sanity? There is some luck involved, if you get super respectful co-workers who share your infection control philosophy and will respect your personal esthetics products then you've hit the jackpot.

If you share a room and the owner buys all supplies, equipment and product lines it makes it a little easier to manage. It makes it easier in that you don't have to prevent co-workers from misplacing or stealing your expensive equipment and products. This type of treatment room sharing is ideal from this standpoint, it is not your money that is being lost if co-workers steal your stuff. However, it creates another host of issues.

What I found when sharing a treatment room was that things tend to move around a lot and you have to scramble to find the items that you need in a hurry--before your client arrives. In my experience, other estheticians will let product lines run low.  There were times I couldn't find basic things like cotton rounds, tweezers, and applicators. These are basic things that we all need, and we need them right in the moment of a facial or waxing, and we don't need to scramble during the facial to find them. There is nothing worse than not being able to find the right supplies when you need them!

I recommend bringing in some of your own supplies. Once you determine what things tend to run low. Bring in some of my own supplies--less expensive supplies like: cotton rounds, 4x'4's, my own brushes, and sponges. Don't forget to label your supplies and if you are worried about co-workers helping themselves to your stuff, find a locking cosmetology container.

A lot of estheticians will squawk about spending any of their own money for these supplies. I understand that position, and while I get no one wants to spend their own hard, earned money but you have to think about it from a different vantage point. If you don't spend the money, if you don't have the supplies you need at your fingertips, your customers will begin to notice. If customers begin to notice, your earnings will progressively drop as well. It might not be fair that the spa owner doesn't take care of this, but spa owners are spa owners--you have be in charge of your own career. Fair is out the window, you need to bring customers back to make money!

When I shared a room with my own equipment and supplies, I was more aggressive about protecting my financial investment. I had a lot of money in both equipment and supplies, and the last thing I wanted was some co-worker to run off with my stuff. With three non-locking closed cabinets and no way to secure my expensive items, I bought a rolling and locking cosmetology cart. All the expensive products went in that cart, and things like product manuals and Wubbies went in the non-locking cabinet.

While it is never easy to share a treatment room nor is it ideal, it is manageable with some advanced planning. We can't control who we share a room with. It might turn out that you share a room with very respectful and courteous people, and all is well. Or the opposite could occur and you need a plan of action to keep your treatments running smoothly and on time.

Skin Cancer Screenings: Why You Need Them--See My Pics & You Might Think Twice About Getting One

So back in Jan. 2013 I brought you my original blog about my annual skin cancer screening. I ended up having "Atypical Nevus" which is technically a benign mole that shares some characteristics with Melanoma, which as you might imagine could be problematic. This blog is a follow-up, what should have been a routine 6 month follow-up to my mole biopsy turned into yet another biopsy on the same mole! Here is the original blog and then I will continue with the new story below: http://gracerileypublishing.blogspot.com/2013/01/estheticians-corner-skin-cancer_14.html

 

Update on my Mole Biopsy

This past week I went for my 6 month check-up for the mole that came back as "Atypical Nevus" which is doctors' language for a mole that has unusual cells floating around under the microscope. I was told by my first doctor that they just take a look at it and if it looks normal they don't do anything unless it changes over time. I went in for a visit with a new doctor, and he did an entire skin cancer screening and sent me out the door with a clean bill of health. The next day, I get a call from the nurse stating that he received my original pathology reports, and he wanted me to come in for a deeper biopsy to make sure no cancer is actually in there. Fabulous, right? So much for the clean bill of health!

 

8/2/13 This is prior to my biopsy today--this is what the mole looks like 6 months following the first biopsy. The pigment is a little dark apparently--according to the doctor. It is the small, dark circle.

8/2/13-This is what it looks like after the deeper biopsy.--

 

 

                             So I am left with this ugly hole in my leg, and it is a reminder that not only does sun and tanning beds cause abnormalities, but simple moles on our bodies can cause problems. Genetics, sun, the frequency of moles on our bodies, and our skin pigment are all factors of who gets skin cancer!  I nearly passed out today in the office, as I looked up at the bright lights and the nurse shot my leg a few times with the numbing agent--but I think what made me feel sick was that feeling of "WHAT IF IT IS CANCEROUS?"
I went back for my 6 month check up and this is what happened, now think about people who never go to the dermatologist.

                             . What would happen to people who wait years to get moles and their entire bodies scanned? Would it be too late to treat? How deep would their scars be? Would it be fatal?

                            I don't know if I am out of the woods on this one yet as I have to wait two weeks. I am going to try not to worry about it until it is something to worry about, but I imagine if I had waited too long, what probably is treatable, may not have been treatable any longer.

                        So why am I telling you this? My hope by sharing this story is that you will consider adding an appointment to your calendar, to make your annual skin cancer screening an important part of your life--because it could save your life. Remember, many hospitals offer free screenings, so get checked today!

Meet Gladys--Learn How She Secured a Job Fresh Out of School

Meet Gladys

I am so excited to introduce to you this classical beauty who is just as sweet and nice to talk to as she is beautiful. I speak with so many students on a regular basis, but there are certain students that resonate with me, and Gladys is one of those students. It is an honor to write a blog about her not just because she is a endearing, but because she is truly a professional role model every esthetician student can look up to. Read the blog below to learn more about this amazing esthetician.

                                                                       Bio:

 

"I am 40 years old, married and a mother of a 10-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl. I am originally from Argentina and have lived in the United States for the past 15 years. My professional background is in Marketing and Communications and I hold a Masters in Communications from Columbia University.

I like in Hartsdale, a quiet, enjoyable suburb in the outskirts of New York City. I enjoy spending time outdoors, gardening and cooking when my busy life allows for this. About a year ago I decided the industry I was in afforded me no flexibility whatsoever and wasn't really something I was passionate about. I armed myself with courage and decided to follow may passion: esthetics and skin care.
I love the North East but long term I hope to one day move down south where I can enjoy warmer winters and continue to practice esthetics."

Gladys, congratulations--you've just passed your esthetics' test--please tell us how you go a 98! What was your secret?
"I think the trick was to study hard for each individual exam and take things very seriously from day one. By the time we started reviewing all the material during our last week, all the information was coming back to me. The less conscientious and dedicated you are at the beginning, with each test, the more difficult it will be when you reach the review stage. Once we completed the theory part of the program, I had two months of clinic at the school's day spa so during that time I kept reading articles from trade magazines and blogs, such as Grace Riley's, to keep some of the terminology fresh in my mind."

What did you like about esthetics' school? What did you dislike about it?
" I loved most things about it from the very beginning. I had always had an interest in esthetics but learning the science behind it, as well as skin conditions and ingredients was amazing. Getting that hands-on experience at the school's day spa helped me gain confidence in my work. If I had to point out one element I didn't like about school, I guess that would be the lack of professionalism, dedication and seriousness I found in some of my classmates."

What product line did you use?
"Our school uses Dermalogica but we also had the opportunity to work with some products from Botanical Science."

How did you balance your family responsibilities with your school responsibilities?
"As as mom of two young kids, juggling family life and school was difficult and stressful, especially at the beginning. I wanted to give the best of me to the program and learn as much as possible. The program is not long so I decided I had to put some of my interests on hold. I knew it was only temporary. I also knew that the more time I dedicated to studying initially, the less stressful it would be towards the end. Having a family that supported me was just as important."

How did you decide to change careers and go into esthetics?
"As a teenager, I had always been intrigued by skin care. However, life took me in a different direction. My parents wanted me to go to college and follow a more traditional career path. After years of being in a corporate environment, I realized I was not doing what made me happy. Moreover, I was most likely never going to achieve the flexibility I needed as a mom of young children. It took me months but I finally made up my mind and I certainly feel it was the best decision."

The ink has barely dried on your passing score, and you already got a job offer. Can you tell us how you prepared for a job before you even graduated?
"Even before I started the program, I was already doing research and looking into potential employers in my area. Any conversation I started had some element of networking involved. I figured that at least one person I connected with would know someone in the industry and that is exactly how I landed this job. For example: I would look at what lines the spas in my area were using and then do as much research as possible on them."

What was the interview process like? What types of questions did they ask? How many interviews did you have?
"I met with the spa owner three times. My first visit was an informal conversation. In my second visit, I was asked to give a facial. My third visit was to evaluate my waxing skills. We also talked about product lines, modalities and what was expected of me. The interviewing process was rather informal but I always maintained the same degree of professionalism, both in my demeanor and my presence. It was not so much about our conversation, but rather about the facial I gave and my waxing skills."

What tips do you have for recent graduates in terms of finding a job? Any other tips about school and/or career advice you could give students?
"Network. Network. Network. However, insignificant the conversation, you never know what it can lead to. Always maintain your best level of professionalism. Have a clear mind as to where you want to be in the long-term, try to identify what it will take to get there and work on that. And, always, always give the best of you. Teachers will notice. Clients will notice. That is your best credential."

What is the one thing you wish you had learned in school that you didn't?
"I wish I had learned more about the business aspect of the profession, how to negotiate fees and rates, what to expect from an employer as a junior esthetician, etc. I feel we leave school ill prepared in this aspect and I believe it is a very important part of the profession."