Spa Divas Book is Free on Amazon This Weekend!

My short memoir on my first industry job is FREE this weekend only! Available at Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Spa-Divas-Crazy-Esthetics-License-ebook/dp/B00F4MTQPY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1405716611&sr=8-2&keywords=grace+riley+esthetics

What is it? It is all about the pitfalls of my first job experience. It was the first and worse job I've ever had in esthetics, but it taught me a lot about the industry.
What it's not? This book is not meant to be an advice book, it is not meant to give you tips per se on the industry, it is simply my STORY. My hope is that you extract your own lessons from my experience, but it is not a "How to Book."
Why did I write this book? I wrote this book because I get tons of e-mails from my blog readers. They ask me about my job experiences, and I felt that this job disaster could help readers see the potential red flags in their future jobs.  It was in a sense a catharsis for me, it was something that I could visualize and relive in my head as I typed the words. This book might simply be my story, but my goal and hope is that readers can use my story as an example of what isn't right at a spa and how to look for those red flags that I missed. My book is kind of a personal journal into my spa life at the time, it is not a complaint about my former job, in fact, I am glad I worked there. It taught me a lot and helped me pave my way to success in the future. Our experiences make us who we are, without that experience I wouldn't be the esthetician I am today.
What do I want my readers to take away from this book? I LOVE MY READERS---I have met so many of YOU wonderful readers through both my blog and books. When I first sat down to write my first book, I never in a million years would imagine I would get e-mails from all over the country much less become friends with some of you!!! I am truly blessed. My goal with this book was just to let readers know what I went through--how I survived--and how you can weather any storm and still succeed as an esthetician.

Thank you for reading my books.


http://www.amazon.com/Spa-Divas-Crazy-Esthetics-License-ebook/dp/B00F4MTQPY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1405716611&sr=8-2&keywords=grace+riley+esthetics

Sometimes Failing as an Aesthetican Has Nothing to do With You

Failing Isn't Always Your Fault

 

 

The sad reality is many businesses fail in their first year of operation. In the spa industry it is fair to say it is more probable than in other industries. Why is this true? First of all, the market is flooded with anything beauty. Secondly, spa services are an indulgence not a necessity. Then you couple those troubling realities with the fact many of these spas pop up as an extension of an existing business (doctor's offices, chiropractors,dentists etc.) and the owners have no industry experience.

 

I have done a lot of interviews with doctors in particular who have no industry experience; meaning they don't deal with the face at all. They might not even deal with the skin. I am talking about family physicians, podiatrists, ob/gyn's  , dentists,  psychiatrists, and chiropractors. I have even worked for a couple of these docs. When I first started thinking about becoming an aesthetician years ago, the industry wasn't flooded with EVERY TYPE OF DOCTOR MED-SPA, it was strictly for Dermatologists and Cosmetics Surgeons. Back then it would have appeared to be tacky and unprofessional for the above mentioned doctors to employ aestheticians.

 

Today it is commonplace for every type of doctor to offer spa services of some sort. Look around, you will see plenty of these spas popping up. On one hand that is good for your employment prospects, the more spas that pop up the more opportunities for jobs for you. Not all of these doctors fail, in fact, some do quite well, but a lot of them fail.

 

Why do I think they fail?

It has been my experience thus far that many of these non-facial doctors are in this game for the money only! They see the beauty industry as a booming business and a great piece of pie to acquire more wealth. Why do they fail? I believe they aren't passionate about aesthetics like facial cosmetic surgeons or dermatologists are. They go extend their practices to include spa services just for money. We know we all need money, and money is good but it is all the root of a lot of greed and people who don't care about what they do or create as long as it makes them a dime. Don't get me wrong, I understand no one can eat or pay their bills without making money, and there is nothing wrong with making money, but I believe when you open a spa just for greed and the hope of a cash cow that your lack of passion and concern for the business will ultimately be the destructive force that causes the spa to go belly up.

 

I have seen two places I've worked for already go under for exactly the above mentioned reasons (fortunately I wasn't working at either place at the time) and I have done interviews at places similar to these that I could see the writing on the wall already. I knew I couldn't take the job because it was only time before it failed. One of the number one  red flags is when doctors or office managers blame the lack of business on a lazy aesthetician. I have heard this one several times, or "We would be more successful if she would market more, if she would actually try to sell retail."

Sure some aestheticians don't do market or retail, but in many cases it trickles down from management and it is a red flag when they blame their former aesthetician. It should be a combined effort between aesthetician and management to market and retail products.

The second red flag is when they have to resort to using those group coupons and other coupons on reoccurring basis...it means they don't have enough business to sustain. If they constantly have to send out coupons it is a problem. Customers get used to dirt cheap prices and won't pay full price once they get accustomed to cheap!

 

Don't beat yourself up if you end up in a job like this; it is not necessarily your fault if the doors close and business dries up. Don't take it personally. Just move on and find the right position for you.

 

Grace Riley Esthetics

Author of Jump Start Your Career: A Guide for Newly Licensed Estheticians

& Spa: Divas a Place to Hang My License & Spa Party Business

all available on www.amazon.com





Spa Party-More Pictures--A Home Birthday Party

This was a home B-day Party I did for a client--this is 1 of 2 tables--waiting for Cosmoprof to have PINK ESTHETIC TOWELS AGAIN DURING BREAST CANCER MONTH--I hate these white ones! I am going to stock up on the pink!

Birthday Diva
She had a blast! I don't normally let kids keep my headbands, but I made an exception for her because she was so much fun!
Did I mention how much I love my job????

Tired of Spa Owners Taking Advantage of Estheticians

It's All About Money!

Okay, I understands businesses are in business to make money without a doubt they have many operating and overhead expenses that we estheticians can't even comprehend. They take out major loans and risk their credit and mortgage their houses to open these spas. I get it! I know it is a lot, but estheticians are part of their success. Without estheticians (or other spa employees) what would be the success rate of their spas then?
Without estheticians there is no spa, thus there is no business to pay the operating costs and overhead. When it comes to esthetician pay there are some seriously cheap owners out there that don't want to share in the success. I am not suggesting owners give their hard earned money away, not at all, I am suggesting that they pay estheticians fair and equitable pay. I wish there were some type of organization that protected estheticians from unfair pay and seedy business owners.
Case and point: I had a job all lined up once at a spa with a terrific owner who was going to pay me 50/50. I would bring some of my own products and he would bring some. I would pay for my own uniform and he would pay for advertising and basic supply costs. We decided we would have a contract that was mutually beneficial and lay out all of terms, except when I got the contract many of the points that we agreed on verbally had been changed to his favor!!!

One of the biggest changes was to the compensation plan. He and I agreed that I would get 50/50 split (just like I had earned at previous places) but he changed the contract to say 50/50 of the profit. 50/50 of the profit is very different from 50/50 of the treatment cost and he tried to slipped that right into the contract. Of course, I nixed that right away because 50% of the profit wasn't much after he put in his overhead costs and such, he was smart he could screw me right out of money by simply putting in the contract a 50/50 profit knowing that most people wouldn't have caught that in the contract.

The second thing he did was put in our contract that I would give him 60 days notice to end the agreement but he only had to give me 10 days notice! That is absurd. I had to give him plenty of notice to find a new esthetician, but he didn't have to give me the same professional courtesy?

Needless to say, I told him that the contract wasn't agreeable or even favorable by industry standards. I am not a pansy that he can just walk all over. He knew exactly what he was doing, we had previously discussed terms verbally and he purposely constructed this contract to be more favorable to him with the intent of getting me to sign on the dotted line. As you can imagine, you can probably guess where I told him to take his contract!

In this business you've got to protect yourself first and foremost, it doesn't matter how friendly or how professional a business owner or manager seems, trust no one.
You didn't pay all that money to go to esthetics school to come out in the real world and people take advantage of you. And trust me, if you give them an inch they will take it. You have to conduct yourself like a professional and demand what you deserve (within reason--within industry standards for your location).  I have always been picky about what I accept, and the owner's character is of high importance to me because I want to work for a place I am happy at, a place where I like the owner and I know they've got my back because we are mutually making money for each other.
Don't accept anything (unless you have to right now)--make sure it is the right deal for you.

Author of
Jump Start Your Esthetics Career: A Guide to Newly Licensed Estheticians

 Spa Divas: A Place to Hang My License

Spa Party Business: A Plan to Success

Available on www.amazon.com

Find Your Esthetics Niche to a Happy Career

Finding Your Passion in Esthetics
(Dedicated to Gladys--one of my former student-readers that makes me see how passion can slowly bloom beautiful careers!)

Everyone in esthetics school has big dreams. I remember having this super fun project in esthetics school where we had to design and create our own dream spa. It had to include statements as to why we thought it would be successful, how we would advertise and rough price ranges to get started. I loved this project, it helped me and other students wish upon of star and hope BIG!

Now the problem with this project as much as I loved it is it almost sets students up for failure. The reality is most estheticians will never own their spas, in fact, many estheticians struggle just to find work in decent spas. Only the crème of the crop estheticians get good spa jobs, and even then many estheticians can't find their ways. Whether your goal is to make it big and own a high-end spa or you just want to be a working esthetician, there is one common ingredient among successful estheticians (success to me=happily working-everyone's idea of good income varies) and that is a NICHE.

Do you know someone in school who is fantastic at waxing? They can speed waxing off those ugly hairs and they can create a brow that celebrity artists would be proud of? Do you remember someone in school that knew how to transform ordinary into extraordinary with makeup? These are niches, it is a specialized area of esthetics that you are really good at and it can carry you through your career.

You need to know what you are really good at and run with it. Your career might take you many places, you might wind up with many experiences good and bad, but some how you always end up back doing your specialty more and more. For me, well let's just say I ended up doing a variety of things. Obviously if you are reading my blog you know that I like to TALK and bring my experiences to people, but I took my love of creating, organizing and my love of children ( I am a proud momma) and decided to off spa parties to girls and moms. Life leads us in funny ways sometimes because if you ever asked me if I would do additional birthday parties I would have said a flat "NO!" My life began and ended with esthetics--everything esthetics--I worked at med spas and traditional spas before even getting into spa parties, and I certainly didn't have regular kids' parties in my business plan, but sometimes life gives you an opportunity and you at to look at the whole picture and make a decision about your career. 

What changed for me? What catapulted me into becoming more than just spa parties?  My most popular party is still my girls' spa party and my doll spar party, but I was approached by a clubhouse to offer boys' parties. My initial response to them was a unequivocal "no" and I didn't look back. Again I was approached about doing boys' parties and other types of parties, and finally I decided to give it a try. Why not? At first, I didn't want to do this because I am an esthetician and that is my first love, but then I realized I have a gift that people want to use. I am really good at putting things together; I can handle many kids at once (I've handled 31 kids at a party); and these people trust me with spa parties and they wanted me to create something special for their other parties because they trust in my ability to create them the perfect venue. So my career has changed significantly, I used to be just an esthetician who had a couple parties on the side, then turned into a spa party business and then now I am focused on the parties as a whole.
Why does this matter to you when you just want to be an esthetician? It matters because you need to know what you are good at and what you are passionate about because those driving forces can lead you towards an unexpected career path. Back to when I was in esthetics school, my spa project we did in class was the polar opposite of the career I have today. Never once, not in a million years did I ever think I would offer spa parties to little girls nor did I think I would branch out and offer other venues. My point is you don't know where you career can take you, but if you can figure out what your passionate about and what you are good at it, it will help you find your way to success and happiness.
I love what I do. Sure there are bumps in the road, no job is a 100% perfect and if anyone tells you that being an esthetician in any job from spa esthetician to Medical Aesthetician to Brow Bar Expert to a Sales Person to a Spa Party Owner they are sugar coating it! My job is not perfect, it is not easy running my own spa party business and it takes a lot flexibility, creativity and patience to keep it going, but in the end I couldn't think of anything else that would make me happier. I love it!
I don't know who said this, but whoever said "Do what you love, and you will never work a day in your life (author unknown)" truly knew what they were talking about.

Author of
Jump Start Your Esthetics Career: A Guide for Newly Licensed Estheticians

Spa Divas: A Place to Hang My License

Spa Party Business: A Plan for Success

What I've Learned From Esthetics Interviews

Okay, I will be the first to admit I've done my share of esthetician interviews...mainly because I am VERY Picky about where I work and what types of places I will work for.  I have done a lot of interviews, and I have completed trainings and then said "Nope, this isn't my type of spa" and I've turned down a lot of offers. I am not suggesting you do this, but for me I need to be at a place I feel happy at and I feel like the owner has a good, honest vibe (if you read my book Spa Divas: A Place to Hang My License on amazon.com you will understand why I am cautious). So I bring to you some things I've learned in my interviews.

(1) Most important is that you can speak well and that you are clean! You have to be professional, I am sorry you can't come in with dirty hair, chewing gum and talking Gansta.

(2) They want to know that you can SELL retail--how do you do this? You tell them that you don't sell retail you educate clients who then purchase retail products. Owners suck this one right up.

(3) They want to hear that esthetics is your passion, that you live and breathe esthetics. Some will ask you why you went into it.

(4) They want to know how you will handle difficult clients--try to give them an experience.

(5) Know many product lines--they love it if you know several lines because it means you can learn their line easily.

(7) Have marketing tips and ideas ready to spill out of your mouth--they want to hear how you will have grow the business and create new events and ideas to promote the business.

(8) You must be using a good product line yourself--they don't want to hear that you use Aveeno or another over-the-counter.

(9) They love to hear about your own skin issues, and how skin care treatments and products helped you.

(10) They want to see job security--if you left a job have a good reason. Husband transferred is a really good one; you went back to school to pursue more courses in your career; you wanted to try a different type of esthetics. You got to get a good one here or they will think you are a job hopper.

(11) Be able to give them a reference or two immediately. In most of my job interviews, even the ones I was offered, most don't ask for references but be prepared because some do.

(12) Make sure you have liability insurance--some will ask if you have coverage.

(13) Be flexible with your schedule and offer to do continuing education classes--that gets you bonus points that you are willing to be flexible and learn more.

(14) Be a team player--and give examples of you are a team player--specifics.

(15) Most importantly--smile and be friendly--don't get nervous and cut up in interview jitters--act like you are confident and in control.

(16) Some will ask you stupid questions--I kid you not, a doctor asked me "Where I expected to be in 26 years?" How random was that question?

Spa Party Business: Problems I've Run Into

Spa Party Problems

I dreamed about opening my own spa party business for a long time. While I worked as an esthetician I always knew in the back of my mind that I wanted to open a spa party business, but it took a long time to plan and tweak what I was going to do. When you dream the dream, it is hard to get past the blissfulness of the dream and deal with the realities of the business.  My realities of my business might not be yours, but they are some things that I thought I would share with you so you can avoid the same pitfalls. I don't want to scare estheticians away from spa party business at all, this is not meant to do that, it is just to give you an insider's look. I love doing spa parties, the few nuisances I encounter is well worth the creative-fun of doing these parties and the compensation. I love doing them! But to keep it real, let's dive in for the uglier side of the diva biz!

(1) People STEAL-Not very often, but it happens. I went to a party with eleven spa robes and came home with ten. Another time, I had games ready for kids and my bag of candies that I had were gone! I made an announcement that whoever might have inadvertently taken my candy please return it so I have prizes for the party--no luck. At the end of the party,  I saw a mom sucking a lollipop and all f her kids were too--pretty sure she is the one who got away with my lollipops!

(2) People ask if they can keep things from spa robes, to mirrors to nail polish. Yep. They think in their infinite wisdom that it might be business savvy to give away your supplies LOL.

(3) People will treat you, some, not all like you are the hired butler and expect that you pamper them.

(4) Then there are those dummies that you e-mail a confirmation letter to, speak with them on the phone and give them all the details and they still fail to understand your basic rules. I have a rule that only snacks can be served during my parties--they can serve meals and cake after the spa party portion--good reason for this (1) food will stain my robes and (2) some kids will eat and other kids will want to do spa stuff and I will end up being there for a much longer amount of time to make sure each kid has had an opportunity to do spa party stuff--Of course, I had one mom who not only served food when I was there, but her pizza guy was late and I had to wait. Now, I have a fee associated with breaking that rule--$25.00 WASTE MY TIME fee (not what I actually call it).

(5) Then I had an OCD type of mom who decided with her friend that they would host a spa party for their girls. I told the mother who did the contract that I bring table cloths and that you have to have an area with tables at least, but preferably with chairs to do the spa party portion. Enough for each child in attendance. Then I get there and the OCD mom says she doesn't want to use her furniture for party and she thought I was bringing tables and chairs. Apparently she thought this was a WEDDING and that I would supply tables and chairs. After that event, I made sure my website states clearly and BOLDLY that I do not provide table and chairs!

(6) Then their are the parents that think I am offering a full-service spa treatments at parties with 25 plus kids--I offer nail painting, team facials and hand sugar scrubs. Then towards end of party we wrap it up with games. I do manicures and pedicures. This is actually on my website but they still ask--I even have on my website and e-mail confirmations that my parties are strictly for entertainment purposes and do not include full facials or manicures/pedicures.

So is the business of dealing with the general public, but dealing with spa mamas is even crazier. With that said, most of the moms are very sweet and kind, it is just the food bad apples that make me CRAZY!

More Spa Party Pictures--Party Life is Never Boring

I have to say some of these spa customers keep me on my toes, both the little divas and bigger divas alike. If you are going to go into this business, go in with your eyes wide open, you have to be a PEOPLE person. You have to be able to deal with all types of personalities. This is very different from regular esthetics, you are only dealing with one customer at a time where here you have an entire room of customers all at ONCE!  In the spa party business, at least in my business I could be dealing with 30 girls and 30 moms all at once. My biggest parties are 35 kids with smallest being 8 kids. I deal with moms stealing my spa robes;unruly kids with parents that are oblivious to their bad behavior; I have to put up with kids demanding to win a prize for games they didn't win and I deal with moms who change their party package plans several times before the actual party. I refuse to kiss anyone's ass, but I do try to make all my participants happy, but it can be difficult. People's personalities are all different, and to do this business and to operate it well you have to juggle different personalities. You have to be willing to be flexible, you have to be willing to get creative and make changes to your business as necessary and deal with unforeseen problems at parties. I will do another blog for some spa party problems.

Marshmallow covered in dyed white chocolate with Tootsie Rolls--supposed to be nail polish bottles.

                                                     My Summer Nail Station

                                                      Mother's Day Decorations

                                                      Girls Team Facial Tables

                                                   Spa Frame that I made for girls/moms to take photos together at clubhouse event. I am purposely not included those pictures as I do not have an authorization from the parents to post on my blog, but you probably can get the idea. This was a huge hit, the girls and moms got their funky and crazy side on as they posed in our frame.

Spa Party Business Pictures and Tips---these are pictures to help those people who have my manual.

These pictures are just a sampling of some of my previous spa parties. My basic spa party is very popular and my doll parties are extremely popular. I have ventured out into regular kid parties as well, but my business started out as just a spa party. My spa parties are still the bulk of my business, but I decided to offer other parties to expand my offerings to appeal to a wider audience. Most of my items I purchase at discount stores, Ebay and other inexpensive places to keep costs down.

Franchise Spa: Why I Decided It Wasn't For Me

 There is something to be said for the security of working for a franchise spa, a place that has every protocol down to exact amount of skin care pumped per treatment; the precise number of cotton rounds and 4 x 4's; and specific amount of time per each piece in the facial so that the esthetician stays on time like a soldier. A place that turns over clients so quickly that McDonald's might have competition in turning out burgers that fast--impressive yes, but quality is questionable.

Okay, let's be honest here, when you go to McDonald's for a burger and fries it probably isn't about quality but speed of service that you are seeking. If you go to a place like Five Guys it is likely you are willing to trade in speed of service for high quality instead. The ingredients at McDonald's vs. Five Guys probably aren't even on the same caliber. 

I was hired at two competing franchise spas--they are run very similar but one offers waxing and the other doesn't. They both focus on high customer turn over--get the customer in and out and get the next customer in the door. One of the places I actually went through complete training and the other place I just went through the first employee meeting. You might be wondering why I would even go through training for a place that I thought was akin to McDonald's for facials. The answer is simple, I wanted to work there because they both sounded like good places to work because they have a lot of advertising, education and all the supplies an esthetician could dream of, but in the end I decided it wasn't only NOT RIGHT FOR ME, but it was COMPLETELY WRONG FOR ME!

The reason these franchises aren't for me is simply the way that they do business, and how they turn customers out like an assembly line. I completely understand staying on task and on time, but I also realize customers pay good money and deserve to be pampered each and every time they walk through my treatment room. For me, I wanted to customize each facial, spend time with my customers and treat them like they are special.

The facials that are sold at these franchise spas are bare bones at best, and there isn't much wiggle room to custom create a facial based on customer needs. They save money and time from disinfection by using popsicle sticks, fingers or cotton swabs to apply masks. They turn over rooms in 5 minutes...which is difficult to properly disinfect the room and change bedding in that short amount of time.  I don't know about the rest of you, but that alone makes me cringe.

Now, if you are an esthetician working at one of these places, please do not take offense to what I am writing, I don't believe it makes you less of an esthetician, you have to follow their protocol or they will fire you--I get it!

All spas, no matter where you work want estheticians to sell products that is a given, but some places are stricter than others. The franchise spas really push SALES. I don't have a problem with selling--I've sold many skin products in my time, but I refuse to sell products just to SELL. I only sell products when I think it will truly help a customer and improve their skin. I don't sell them more or less than what I believe they need. I educate them as to why they these products will help. With the two franchise spas that I have experience with product sales were just that--they were pushing of products by any means you could sell them. They didn't care how you sold products, but they wanted sales period. At one place, I was told I should strive to sell seven skin care products per customer even if they had just come in a week earlier and bought all seven products because there is always more product to sell. ARE YOU KIDDING ME???  And I was told that I had to sell so many dollars worth of product to keep my job.

At the end of the day, I have to live with myself. I won't, no I refuse to sell people products that they don't actually need. Now if they needed all seven products of course I would sell it to them, but I don't think every person that walks in the door needs seven products at every facial.

Then there are the products they use, ugh I didn't like either product line. The one product line didn't have anything that jumped out at me that was horrible, but I didn't love it that is for sure. The second franchise using a product line that customers can buy at other stores, but I think it is junk. Some of the ingredients are questionable considering they claim they have some of the best skin care products on the market.

I tried to give the franchise spa business a good run, but after training I turned in my notice at the one spa and the other I told them right after they offered me a position that I wasn't interested. I know myself, and it was far better to run than for me to work at a place that I didn't believe in.  So in the end, I decided that no matter how many of these franchise spas that keep popping up (seems like there is a new brand all the time) that it is not a good fit for me.

 Although it is not for me, that doesn't mean a franchise isn't right for you, some people enjoy working for a place with so many protocols and expectations in place, and if that is right for you then you should go for it. Each of us has to find our own path within this field, what is wrong for me, might be exactly what you are looking for.

Spotlight Esthetician--Meet Brandy

                                                        Meet Brandy from Chicago
Brandy is a Beauty enthusiast, and Licensed Esthetician from Chicago. Not only is she into beauty, but also fashion. She started her blog, Gold'n Glitters as a voice for the Plus Sized community. "The Human Side of Beauty, " and Gold'n Glitters is synonymous. She had guest written for various bloggers in the blogosphere on Beauty and Plus sized Fashion. Having a phenomenonal eye for detail has helped her grow as a writer and artist. Follow her on twitter Goldhoneebee, goldnglitters on Instagram. Brandy thank you for bringing a voice to the beautiful women who are often overlooked simply for being plus sized, and using your esthetics skills and passion for writing to help these women feel just as beautiful as any other woman deserves to feel. Find more out about this amazing esthetician below in our Q & A with Brandy.

(1) Why did you decide to go into esthetics?
      I went into Esthetics because I've always loved beauty and was a makeup artist for a few years before I started school. It also wanted to learn more about Skincare. I attended Tricoci University of Beauty Culture, in Bridgeview Illinois. I loved that Mr Mario was so hands on and wanted to meet each student at each campus in the area. I loved that the instructors were caring and wanted us to succeed and gave us the real world perspective. I disliked that the Esthetics program was still new and that the opportunities for us wasn't as plentiful as it was for the Cosmetology students.

(2) Did your school help you find a job after graduation?
      My school didn't help me find a job per se, but I did have a mock interview and work on my resume so I could land a good job in my career. I think my school did a excellent job on preparing us for the realities of the Esthetics career. I think most of my classmates thought that they would land jobs that would pay substantial money just starting out. If you're just starting out you can make as much as you please if you work for yourself, but it's not a check every 2 weeks.

(3) What is one thing you wish you learned in esthetics school that you didn't?
       One thing I wish I learned in Esthetics school, but I didn't was the individual lashes. I work at Red Pearl Chicago, in Chicago Illinois. I perform waxing (facial and body), facials, and makeup. The advice I have for Esthetics students and recent graduates is to stay positive, the market is going well for Estheticians. You can work for yourself or others and make a good amount of money. Keep abreast on the current trends in Skincare and makeup. Trade shows will be your best friend.


Thanks Brandy for sharing a little bit about your esthetics experiences. Best of luck to you!

Passion for Esthetics Blogging=Liebster Award

 

 

Thank you Beauty School Scarlet for nominating me for the Liebster Blogging Award. I am excited that you nominated me and I appreciate your kind recognition.

The Liebster Blogging Award is given by another blogger to a different blogger in recognition of a new or up and coming blogger. It helps blog readers to learn more about a blogger through informal questions given to the nominee by the blogger who nominated them for the award. The nominee then "pays it forward-by nominating eleven bloggers for the award (BSS)."



Want to learn a little more about me? Read my answers to Beauty School Scarlet's questions below and then keep reading to find out who I nominated to receive the Liebster Award!

 1.Who, what or where does your blogging inspiration come from?

My inspiration for blogging comes quite simply because I love esthetics and it is my passion to help other estheticians and students.

2.What is the best advice you have ever received?
    To always strive for your best and never let an obstacle stand in the way of your dreams.

3.What motivates you?
    My motivation comes from all the wonderful readers I have--I love answering there esthetic job related questions. There is nothing better than helping someone else achieve their dreams.

4.What is your favorite TV Show or movie?
    Parenthood

5.What book would you recommend others to read?
    My favorite skin-care related book is Skin Rules--a great book by a Dermatologist who gives great tips.

6.What is your dream job?
    My dream job--I already have it. I love being an esthetician--it is like being a kid in a candy store but the candy barrels are full of skin care product.

7.What is your favorite food?
   What isn't my favorite food is a better question. I love everything from pizza to Mexican food to chocolate anything.

8.What is guilty pleasure?
    My guilty pleasure is anything Obagi--I love their products but they are pretty expensive.

9.What is the story behind your blog name?
   I never expected my books or blogs to take off--I didn't even expect one person to read them. It was more of a catharsis to my own experiences. I decided if I was going to put myself out there I wanted a name that represented my greatest loves--my children and esthetics. Thus the name Grace Riley Esthetics was born.

10.What is your favorite drink of choice?
      Mai Tai or Sangria--non-alcoholic is Coke or H20 with lemon.

11.If money were no object, where would be the first place you would travel to?
       I would want to travel around the world and stop these horrific crimes against women like the sex trafficking. The power to save these victims is in the hands of people with power or money.  It is horrible what human beings, grown men do to young girls and even boys.


Congratulations to the following nominees that I am nominating for the Liebster Blogging Award. Please answer the questions below and nominate eleven other worthy bloggers and "play it forward."

Tiny Tips By Michelle
The Social Dermatologist
Made4Makeup
Karen Mom of Three's Craft Blog
jaimesesthetics
myestheticianblog
The Paola Campo Report
Hypothyroid Mom
The Small Things Blog
Glassdoor Blog
Butter Baking A blog of baked goods

Nominees please answer the following questions and share with your readers via a blog. Then "play it forward."


(1) How did your blog come about?
(2) What is your inspiration that keeps you blogging?
(3) What is your favorite food?
(4) What is your favorite vacation spot?
(5) What is one thing you always spend money on no matter how tight your budget is?
(6) What is your all time favorite movie?
(7) If you had unlimited cash what charity would get your donation?
(8) Name one celebrity that you would like to trade places with for a day.
(9) What plans do you have for the future of your blog?

Thank you for sharing your answers.

Spa Party Business: Plan for Success

 
 
 
 

Spa Party Business: Plan for Success

                              By Grace Riley Esthetics
                                  Available on www.amazon.com
 Imagine creating and designing your own successful spa party business while improving the current industry standards for spa parties. Imagine earning money for doing something you love and being the inspiration behind the giggles and laughs of children and moms alike. Take your esthetics license to the next level by upgrading the party industry and offering parties that provide fun and entertainment while practicing esthetics protocols that keep the industry safe to consumers, especially children. If you have ever thought about launching your own esthetics party business but it seemed difficult to get started, it is time you are introduced to Grace Riley Esthetics and her Spa Party Business Plan for Success. If a party business sounds too challenging, or even impossible, it's time to let this spa party success plan help you with the needed advice and tips to get your business started.

Typical Esthetics Interview Questions

What made you go into esthetics?

What makes you a good esthetician?

What makes you different than other estheticians?

How do you sell home care? How will you sell clients who refuse to buy any product?

Tell me how you dealt with a difficult client--how did you solve the problem?

Have you ever had a client have a reaction to a skin care product? How did you handle it and what did you do to soothe the skin?

What does customer service mean to you?

What does your perfect work environment look like?

What is your ideal type of boss?

Tips to Make Money Even When Selling Through Group Discounters

It seems like everyone is taking advantage of the deep discounts of Groupon, Social Living and other deep discount sellers. Should you get on the bandwagon? It depends on your outlook, a lot of estheticians love it, and others do not. How else can you get a flood of customers to your door without spending a fortune? The downside is you don't make much money if you deeply discount your services, but if you choose to use these discounters to get customers through the door, use the following tips to help increase your revenue and make up for the deep discounts you offered through the group vendor.

My Tips To Increase Revenue When Use Deep Discount Coupons

(1) Decrease the service time by a few minutes--still give them a good service--but honor the time and don't give anyone an extra 5 mins. and do not use extra creams. We all do this with our favorite customers, but when you are discounting your services you need to stick to the plan & budget.

(2) UPSELL--Before the facial or service, depending on the client's skin issues, upsell them anything you can. Collagen boosters, acne scrub, eyebrow wax or tinting--charge them a reduced rate that you normally would if they came in just for these services, and make them think they are yet getting another great deal!

(3) Talk--Talk up your services--this is your chance to let them know you do all types of waxing, makeup, eyelash extensions, Mircorderm, facials, back facials, eyebrow & lash tinting, etc. Whatever service they aren't receiving at the time they are in your treatment room, make sure they know exactly what you offer before the leave. Sound excited about what you do, and they might try another service.

(4) Secure an E-mail Address-Do not let the customers leave without their e-mail addresses. In fact, I would recommend putting the e-mail address on the intake form. Do not let them leave without getting that contact information. This is your window into sending them enticing spa messages that might bring them back to your spa. I can't tell you how many customers have come back to me simply because they got an e-mail special. Sometimes they just get busy or forgot about taking care of themselves, but the e-mail reminds them that they need a brow wax or they need to be pampered.

(5) Retail-Try to sell the clients retail products. For customers in this price bracket who are buying coupon treatments, see if you can sell your retail products. Maybe just for those customers sell the products for less than they could get it online. Make them think they are getting a deal--these people aren't poor, they are cheap--they are all about the thrill of the deal. Make them think you are giving out an exclusive price to them and they will buy the products up. Compare prices of online and other spas before making a decision, and of course make sure you are covering your wholesale costs plus making a little something.

(6) Packages-Again, these are people looking for rock bottom deals. This is a great time to talk to them about your V.I.P. membership where they can guarantee a monthly facial at a reduced rate. Only you can decide the prices, but for this particular customers I would focus on the price point they paid. Yes, you won't make much money off of these cheap packages for them each month, but you will be able to upsell them on a regular basis.

New Trend in Compensation Plans That Use Your Tip Money to Pay You Hourly

 It never ceases to amaze me just how far spa owners will go these days to put more money in their pockets. Employers want their cake and ice cream too--greed is a powerful motivator. Just when I thought I had seen and heard it all, now another unfair employment trend is popping up in our industry.

I will not name names here, but there is an up and coming Massage/Facial franchise that has a unique, and in my opinion, unethical way of treating their employees. The esthetician is hired on as a regular employee and they get paid an hourly--WELL KIND OF--plus they get commission on their services rendered and then they say the esthetician will receive a 100% (don't we always get a 100% of our tips????) of the tips--AGAIN KIND OF---let me explain below. Keeping reading this might be the difference in your income stream!

There is a new thing called "tip minimum" and yes if you here these words TAKE CAUTION and make sure you understand what you are signing up for before you agree to take the job! Basically, the employer tells you that you are making a guaranteed hourly whether or not you have clients or not. Great, right? That sounds outstanding--you can get paid at least something even if there are no clients, but HOLD ON!!  There is a catch. They will certainly pay you an hourly rate, but they only pay you until you hit a set dollar amount. The CATCH HERE IS--they use your tip money to help reach that set amount--so essentially they do pay you some money hourly for the set hours until you reach that dollar amount that they give you, but much of your hourly comes from your tips.

So until you reach that Holy Grail dollar amount your tips aren't actually your tips they go to help pay you your hourly rate so the SPA OWNER IS ACTUALLY MAKING MORE MONEY because they aren't having to pay you hourly 100%. It is a sketchy way of circumventing around actually paying you the full hourly that they promise you. It is more money earned for them, less they have to spend and less money for you and yet you are required to work a certain shift because you are technically an employee who is paid by the hour. They have to by law (in most states) pay you an hourly if they require you to be there for a set number of hours.

Then when you ask for a copy of your compensation plan in writing they will not give it to you. Sure they will give you a commission plan that tells you what you will make per facial or waxing service, but they will not tell you exactly how you are paid in writing. If everything is on the up and up then why do they use fast-talking and confusion tactics to reel in the best estheticians--in my opinion, there is unequivocally a reason for this. To me, it is all about making them rich and making estheticians poorer.

I am not saying you should not work for these places, but what I am saying is to be cautious and know the new industry terms for compensation plans for spas. Don't let these people rope you in without you knowing the facts and how it affects your bottom line.

Surviving Your Clinical: The Second Part of the Interview

Most people have anxiety about interviews, but estheticians in particular have an increased dose of stress when it comes to spa interviews. If you are still in esthetics school you might not know what in the world I talking about, but in the esthetics world it is customary for spa owners to receive a facial to make sure you make the grade. Must be awesome being a spa owner!! I would like to conduct some interviews to get some free facials. How do you get through the clinical without stressing?--dropping every loud tool, splashing water in their eyes, masks getting stuck and the list of things that could go wrong when you have high anxiety can make or break your interview.

Remember, you are a professional. You can make a few mistakes and it is likely the owner won't notice if you don't stress. While it can be hard to work in a spa room that you aren't familiar; product line that you might not know; and protocols that might be different than you are used to--but if you stay calm and focused you can make it through the clinical without any major mishaps.

 I had a situation once where I had to use a new product line, and it was going really well--I got the line despite having never used it.  I read the user manual and it was easy and then came the self-drying mask that didn't come off easily. I was mortified and worried that the owner noticed the trouble I was having with this tricky mask. Then I couldn't find a spatula that I needed and then the steamer was way too close to the bed and it felt like it had bumped the treatment bed. Despite the mishaps, the owner loved the facial and offered me the job. I think she offered me the job because I stayed calm, confident and I focused on the entire facial instead of a couple mishaps which could have emotionally caused me to frantic and become anxious thus I would have made bigger, more intrusive mistakes.

While we as estheticians are used to giving facials (either at school or on the job) it never ceases to amaze me how anxious we can become when we know we are being tested and judged. I think it is human nature to be a little worried about how you will perform.

My top tips to a successful clinical interview:
(1) Research the product line--familiarize yourself with the products. If you have the money in your budget buy one or two samples on Ebay.
(2) Learn everything you can about the spa. If it is a chain spa and you have it in your budget, get a facial from that place.
(3) Visit www.glassdoor.com and www.indeed.com to read reviews from former employees (if it is a larger company).
(4) Watch product line videos online from skin care company so you know exactly how to perform their facials.

Many Spas Are Classifying Estheticians As Independent Contractors When They Are Actually Employees

 

It is sad, but in this industry many spas are calling employees independent contractors when they are actually employees. Why would they do this? The better question is why wouldn't they do this if they can get away with it? They can circumvent around employment taxes and they don't have to pay into FICA or follow any employment laws if their staff is classified as an independent contractor.

So how do I know if I am actually an independent contractor or an employee?

An independent contractor usually means someone who is getting paid a commission split on services and or paid by service. This means the contractor is working independently within a business and the owner and independent contractor agree to certain terms. In most cases, this is put in writing to protect both parties. Generally the independent contractor determines their own hours, and they do not report to anyone at the business with the exception of working as a team with the owner for their mutual benefit. The business cannot require or demand that the independent contractor work certain shifts--they can request that they work within certain hours, but this all needs to be agreed upon in writing prior to the start of the business relationship.

What is an employee in a spa?

An employee is required to work certain shifts and days/hours a week...an employee must get all vacations approved. An employee is paid by the hour and works directly under the supervision of a designated manager.

Many spas are illegally classifying employees as independent contractors to keep staff on hand at all times without having to pay hourly rates. They avoid paying FICA and circumvent employment laws. The key difference is when an employer requires an esthetician to work a certain shift ...when you only get paid per service and not hourly you are not required to stay onsite unless you are getting paid per hour.

This seems to be a trend in the beauty industry these days. Why wouldn't these employers try it? If they can get an esthetician to agree to work from 10-7PM without paying them a dime unless there are services rendered then they always have staff on hand for walk in's without having to pay for it. They lose nothing! They have an esthetician on hand who might make good money if there is a ton of business, but on slow days and only one or two clients come in the esthetician might earn only a few dollars per hour or nothing per hour depending on the situation. These spas will tell estheticians how busy they are, but the reality is it isn't their bills that can't be paid with working in such an unpredictable employment situation.

The worse part is that this is illegal and unethical. They can't have it both ways. Either they hire an employee to be on staff at all times and risk losing some money during slow times, or they pay the estheticians an hourly rate which is fair and equitable.

My question to these employers is "Would you work for free?"

We all know the answer of course, they absolutely wouldn't work for free. These greedy spa owners are finding a loop hole in the term "independent contractor" by abusing the system and not paying employees an hourly fee when one is due. If you encounter this during an interview, please let these employers know it is illegal. If you are working in a situation like this turn them in to the Federal Employment Office. No one deserves this kind of treatment, and these greedy spa owners are abusing their power and taking advantage of estheticians who are so desperate for a job.

 

 

Falsies--Eyelash Extension Courses to Build Your Biz

I have been wanting to step up my eyelash extension skills, and while I learned strip and cluster falsies in school, I wanted to branch out into the semi-permanent eyelash biz. The strip and cluster lashes don't last very long where the semi-permanent can last up to two weeks (or longer for some lucky people). I could have taught myself but I decided to sign up for some courses, and one of the classes I enrolled in was "Natural Lash" online because it is approved by the Associated Skin Care Professionals and upon passing the course I will be rewarded with a pretty, little certificate that I can turn into the ASCP to get coverage for eyelash extension. Currently, most esthetic insurance does not cover you for accidents with falsies! Most likely neither does your employer--they might tell you that you are covered but make sure before touching any one's eye area.

Falsies of any kind are better than the eyelashes I was born with, and while I don't normally wear lashes every day it is nice to have bold eyes when I feel like it. Some people will not be seen without their falsies so going the semi-permanent route is ideal. As an esthetician who has not had much opportunity to get practice with this on the job, I decided I want to learn more. I went on an interview where the current estheticians were doing these semi-permanent falsies, and I wanted to feel competent as well. That is how I got to "Natural Lash."

I enrolled in the class, and the price is enough to make you want to fall over, but hey this is to help my career. It was $325.00 with my mannequin head (you don't have to purchase this if you still have one from school) and all the included supplies which are the following: lashes of various sizes, adhesive, adhesive remover, tools, eye-gel patches, eye solution, blower, brow brushes, and other misc. tools for success. When you sign up for your course you schedule a date about 7-10 days from purchase to allow for your kit to arrive. You have 3 days to complete your course so make sure you allow plenty of time to read and do all the quizzes, and allow for practice time. I have kids--I didn't plan this well at all--I planned it for a weekend and let's just say lashes and kids don't mix! Chaos!

The course is pretty easy and the videos are enough to get you started doing the lashes. It has different modules and you have to complete each module and then take the quiz. You have three attempts to pass each section with a 100%. You would have to be on another planet if you can't pass these quizzes--they seem to be designed to help everyone succeed. Remember, if you can't get it the first two times you have a final third time to get it right.

The course is a great basic course for learning how to apply these semi-falsies, but the bottom line is you still have to rely on your own skill and technique to master this. I am not even close yet. I will probably spend at least a half hour to an hour a day practicing until I get it right--on both live models and mannequins. It is not as easy as watching videos and perfecting the craft. These are eyes we are working with, and sticking a sharp object and adhesive and a lash near that sensitive eye area takes skill and concentration. I admire the eshtys that already have this technique down--and let me tell you they deserve every penny they make doing this because it is hard work.

The course goes through the basic sanitation guidelines and contraindications--mostly things that are commonsense or you already learned in esthetics school. Then they talk about marketing and how to set prices, and of course all the other products you can buy at wholesale from "Natural Lash." 
Then it teaches through videos and written instructions how to pick up lashes and do it efficiently (yeah I got that part down quickly) and then it goes on to teach how to put them on (I am not so good at this yet) and then how to remove them.

Some of the other courses, both online and live- in person are $599.00. The benefit of live classes are that you get a two-way communication with instructor help right then. "Natural Lash" will offer free questions and answers with their reps after the course for a limited time, but I feel like in person would be better. If you are on a time crunch and too busy with your current job this is the perfect answer to learning more without having to attend a live class.

Personally, for $325.00 I would have like to received a little more in supplies and books. "Natural Lash" will not allow you to print any documents from your course. While I understand their need to protect their copyright, as a student of their course, I might want to flip back through the notes in a couple weeks and I won't have that option. I think for $325.00 they could kick in a workbook. They do include a place where you can download customer forms, but no actual book of information for students to go back and review.

Estheticians don't always make a ton of money, especially early on in their careers, and I think some of these post-graduate courses including "Natural Lash" are pretty steep. While I understand they are in business to make money, it is certainly hard for struggling estheticians who are trying to expand their knowledge base and money-making potential to drop $325.00 for a course. I am all about estheticians expanding their education, but now post-graduate courses seem to be BIG BUSINESS--with the bottom line being the most important part--not the education.

All and all I would recommend "Natural Lash" for estheticians who want to get a certificate for insurance purposes and possibly add some good revenue to their businesses, but I would balance that with how much money you allot to your post-graduate courses. Only you can decide what courses are best for your future. Good luck to you all! Grace Riley.

 

Some of the included supplies.

 

 

My Mannequin

Changing Discrimination Against Recent Esthy Graduates One Esthetician at a Time

As you approach graduation you will be most likely be excited to jump into your esthetics career. Why wouldn't you? You've studied like a mad man, you've worked hard and you vigorously send out resumes only to find that no employers are calling you back, or the ones that do call you back only tell you that you don't have enough experience. Not enough experience? What do you mean "not enough experience?"

What do these employers think you did all day at school? What do they think you did when you were on the clinic floor? Do they think you worked on mannequins the entire time? Don't they realize you touched live human beings throughout your schooling? Isn't an esthetics license proof that you are qualified?

Having a few years behind me now myself, it is one of the saddest moments for me when I hear recent graduates tell me what a hard time they are having getting an esthetician job. I was there not too long ago and it feels like  massive discrimination. The employer's won't give you a chance no matter what because they have red-flagged you. It is frustrating to say the least, and I have found some of the best estheticians are fresh out of school because their passion for the industry is still on fire and they aim to please clients. Nonetheless employers red-flag these students which is a shame because they are missing out on some terrific talent--I would know because I  network with so many recent graduates that are extremely talented yet doors are slammed in their faces.

In this industry, I think much of the responsibility should lie with the esthetician schools. I think most esthetician schools could do a much better job networking with employers--NOT JUST A JOB BOARD--but really networking and helping estheticians get internships while in school and help them secure something when they graduate. Instructors know who the prized students are and at least these students should be referred out to hot spas.

The fact is in every industry we all have to start at the bottom and work our way up, but in no other industry that I know of are graduates openly discriminated against simply for being a "recent graduate." 

All of us esthys, as we advance in our own careers, have to work together to change the misguided notion that recent graduates are not skilled or worthy enough for these jobs. Unequivocally,  some of the best estheticians are students or recent graduates, and it is unfortunate that employers are missing out on this fine talent.

If you are reading this blog and you work as an instructor or for an esthetics school please help be the voice that changes this ridiculous discrimination. You have the power to change this unfair discrimination.

Doing Lashes? Read This First Before You Risk Your License & Business

I remember in esthetics school that some girls really got into the whole lash concept, and why wouldn't they when you can make your customers' eyes pop with artificial lashes. The lash industry is a booming business, and any esthetician that has the patience and passion to do lashes can rake in the dough transforming ordinary eyes into extraordinary eyes! Women want beautiful eye lashes but they can't seem to figure out how to do it themselves so they turn to the professionals. They don't want to wait for a doctor to prescribe a lash growing prescription;they want instant eye-popping beauty and that is where estheticians come in. Before you dive into the lash business you need to think about a few things.

First, the eye area is super sensitive and people can have reactions to adhesives, and the first person they will come after is the esthetician who performed the eyelash extension. Many of you might think you are covered by your liability insurance, but in most cases that is not true. And it is unlikely your employer's insurance covers you. In fact, many esthetician insurance companies require that you take an "approved lash extension" course before they will cover you.(This is true for Brazilian waxes too if  you didn't already know it).

Why would you need insurance for something as simple as eyelash extensions? And why wouldn't your liability insurance cover a  common esthetics service? With the eye area being so sensitive and the potential for serious adverse reactions is the reason why most insurance companies require estheticians to take an approved course. Most esthetician programs, mine included do not spend nearly enough time showing students the proper way to do these lashes, and more importantly the safety involved in protecting the eye. Insurance companies don't want to risk numerous payouts because estheticians aren't properly trained in eyelash extension.

I signed up for one recently through Associated Skin Care Professionals. I know how to apply lashes but I wanted to become certified. In doing so, I found out that liability insurance doesn't cover lash extension in the menu of services for estheticians unless they take an "approved course" so I thought I would bring it to your attention so you are fully covered. If you are self-taught or previously taught in school, make sure to call your esthetician liability insurance and guarantee you are covered before applying lashes to any client. You don't want a $50.00 service to turn into a $300,000 service. Is it likely? Probably not, but people are sue happy today so protect yourself!