More on Aging in Esthetics

42 Years Old

 

 I am chronologically old, yes. Do I care? No. Do I care about being pushed out by younger people in this industry? Not really. I can't be good at everything, and younger people bring a new level to esthetics that I may not have. I focus on high-quality, classical skin care treatments and stellar customer service.

I feel like age is only an issue if you allow it to be. In this industry, particularly in the skin care portion I think people appreciate that a woman older than 35 can still have great skin. I think a lot of customers would rather take advice from someone who has been able to preserve their skin despite aging instead of someone who hasn't been plagued by the loss of collagen, environmental toxins, and the cruel hand of mother nature's aging process. A younger person can't prove that what they do prevents aging because the proof is in the pudding, and if they are too young they can't prove what they do actually works. An older person has an advantage, they have time on their side, and if they have well-preserved skin then they become an inspiration to clients.

I think we should celebrate our age in this industry. If you get to 35, 45, 55, 65 and have beautiful skin, why wouldn't you celebrate that? Why wouldn't you want to share your secrets with the world? So, it is never to late to be an esthetician, or go back to school for it. I say "why not?"

Does Age Matter in this Industry?

Me & my pup
42 years-old



The number one question sent to me at gracerileypublishing@gmail.com is "Am I too old for esthetics?"
The funny thing is y'all are every age under the sun. What is old? I don't know. I suppose I am old, and I am too stupid to realize it! I don't think of age as an important factor at all. Sure, there is probably age discrimination out in this world, but again I am too busy living my young life that I don't notice it.
Are you too old to go back to esthetics school at 30 (hell no), at 40 (definitely not), at 50 (of course not)? This question always baffles me. If you are still kicking, if you are still healthy, and if you are passionate about beauty and wellness then why shouldn't you go for it? The only regrets in life are the opportunities that we didn't take because of fear, don't let your own age discrimination stand in your way. Yes, ladies you are discriminating against yourself--you are shouting out to the world, "I'm too old. I am worthless!"
You're not! You have so much to offer.
I had a lady recently tell me that she is not getting jobs because she is too old (42 years old). She instead works as a cashier at a grocery store. This lady told me every reason was age was standing in her. My first words to her were, "You are your biggest enemy."
She literally was self-sabotaging. She already had it in her mind that she as only good enough to be a grocery store cashier (no problem if that was her life's ambition, but it wasn't). It comes down to lack of confidence. Instead of this woman reframing her thinking she was completely engulfed in her own self-pity party about why she could never be an esthetician at her age.
I waned to dress her up myself and drag her to interviews. One thing I know about this industry is that age is definitely not going to stop a passionate esthetician from fulfilling their dreams. Not going to happen. Estheticians love their job! They are proud people! We love aging--Why? We do it well!
If any of you 30 plus--even ladies in their 60's plus, if you want to be an esthetician, or if you are licensed but are afraid to get out there, don't be. Do you know what you bring to the table? You bring professionalism, poise, confidence, and a lifetime of connecting to people. Please do not e-mail me and tell me you think you are too old because you're not DEAD! Age is a number ladies, it doesn't have to define you, and it certainly doesn't have to destroy our confidence. You are beautiful! Now, get out there and apply for that job! Don't let the big 30, 40, 50 or 60 stop you! Who cares about age? Has anyone taken a look at Christy Brinkley? Kris Kardashian? Jennifer Aniston? Susan Sarandon? Madonna?


 

Why Do State Boards Let Unlicensed People Slip Through the Cracks?

 

I wonder how we estheticians have to follow so many laws; we have to abide to strict sanitation guidelines (which I am happy about); and other professional licensing laws. Then why can any Rodan and Fields rep, or Mary Kay rep, or any other MLM market themselves and sell skin care services? They seem to get through this loop hole by marketing themselves as strictly demonstrating products, but how many of us know that to be quite opposite of the truth? We know they do facial parties; we know they give out acne advice; and we know they touch people's faces. The state boards sit back and let these unlicensed, non-industry people give out consumer advice and touch the skin with absolutely no consequence. Let's face it, many consumers don't know the difference between a licensed esthetician and MLM rep. We have unlicensed people doing makeup (no worries about sanitation); we have unlicensed people performing eyelash extensions; and we have people performing "product facials" at makeup counters.

Where are you state board when all these illegal activities are going on? It not only cheapens our industry, but it defies what the purpose of the state board is, to protect the consumers.

Dreamin of Moving to a Tropical Island?

If you like to travel your heart strings might be pulling you to uproot your life and live in paradise. How does an esthetician make the move from the U.S. to a tropical island? Preparation is the key. It is easy to get enamored with the beauty of an island, but you need to know not only cosmetology laws but also labor laws. The last thing you want is to arrive in your new destination and learn that you don't qualify for jobs either due to licensing or labor laws.

Let's start with some places that are U.S. owned--Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. From my research, it looks like any license from the U.S. mainland states would allow you to work in these islands, but check the most up-to-date laws.

These islands are easy in the sense that you would be allowed to work there as a U.S. citizen so much easier than other islands/countries. I've personally been to Puerto Rico and St. Thomas...both beautiful places in their own right. Puerto Rico though is much larger, and all throughout this large island you will find mega resorts. El Conquistador, Palmas Del Mar, Hyatt Dorado etc. St. Thomas has exclusive resorts as well, but the island isn't as big.

Another place that I absolutely love, and a country where health and wellness is practically in the country motto is Costa Rica. Love it! It is a large county in comparison to the U.S. islands, but it has many health resorts. I don't think there is a specific licensing requirement to be an esthetician in the country, but I think you MUST become a RESIDENT before working. You can stay in the country for 90 days I believe as a tourist, but you have to get citizenship to work there.

Costa Rica, is a health conscious, beautiful country with friendly people. Of all the tropical places that make me think of health and wellness, it is by far Costa Rica.

Moving to a tropical paradise is not only a lifestyle choice, but a choice in terms of working the tourist industry. It is a different piece of the pie, and while there is no guarantee you would be busier as an esthetician in a tourist-filled island than in say Detroit, MI, it certainly has many perks.

Deduction Tips: Can I Deduct Laundry Services?

Don't forget to check out our new Grace Riley Consulting Services.
We are offering e-mail and phone consultations as well as resume revision for estheticians.
https://squareup.com/store/gracerileyesthetics

Many solo estheticians believe that they can deduct much of their monthly electric, water, and laundry supplies per month when they do spa laundry at home. I am not a CPA or tax expert, but in doing my research I've spoken to some experts that say do this with great caution. Why? It is a red flag to the IRS, and a red flag can mean an audit?

You might not believe an audit is a big deal until you've lived through one. Is deducting laundry electric, water, and supplies worth the potential audit? Isn't it fair you deduct your expenses.

Yes, it is fair to deduct expenses, but it is equally fair to the IRS that you deduct expenses that are actually business expenses and not a combination of both. So, how do you track your costs per load of spa loads vs. your home loads? The easiest way is to do your laundry at a laundry mat where you can keep track of receipts, but if that isn't an option consider tracking it with a calculator http://energyusecalculator.com/electricity_clotheswasher.htm.

The last thing you want is to muddy the waters of your own laundry costs vs. your spa costs, and end up with an audit.

Marketing Tip of the Day--Attract More Esthetis Clients

 

Don't forget to check out the new Grace Riley Consulting Services at https://squareup.com/store/gracerileyesthetics

 

 

 

Today's Tip: Use Word or another software to create bookmarks...use high quality paper from your local business supply store. I created bookmarks with the name of my spa, website, hours, telephone, online booking information, and my best priced services. For instance, I offered a 45 minute basic facial (no frills) for $29.95 to get people in the door--this was on my bookmarks. I went to the local libraries and put the bookmarks in all the books that were related to beauty, makeup, skin care, health, fashion, and women's novels.

Thoughts on Groupon and Living Social

 

Don't forget to check out the new Grace Riley Consulting services at https://squareup.com/store/gracerileyesthetics

 

Resume revisions, phone consults, and e-mail questions answered in detail!

Groupon and Living Social definitely seem to be the new wave in marketing. I've tried both Groupon and Living Social, and while I like the companies in terms of customer service and helping to generate new customers, I don't like some things about them. Here's my pro's and con's list--you make your own decision.

Pro's-no upfront costs marketing campaign
         generates a lot of customers
         easy to use and friendly customer service
         get new people in the door
        
Con's-the customers that it can attract are not always high quality
          you have to greatly reduce your service price and the customers want that price on future visits
         some of the customers are more fickle than full priced customers
         many of the customers tip on the paid price and not the price of service
          

Need advice? Need help starting your own esthetics business?

You've asked for it, and now I am offering it: consulting services. A lot of you asked me to help you with resume revisions, recreating job gaps, and consulting on job interviewing techniques and starting a new business in the world of esthetics.

Phone consulting: $25.00 for 30 minutes
E-mail Consultation: 1 Question with detailed answer $5.00
3 e-mail questions: $25.00
Resume Revision: $30.00

Please make payments to the following link or e-mail me at gracerileypublishing@gmail.com for more information or to pay by phone.


https://squareup.com/store/gracerileyesthetics

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.