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.