Did you know EXACTLY what you wanted to do with your esthetician career on the first day of school?
On my first day of esthetics school I had no idea what I wanted to do with this new passion of mine -but I trusted that I would figure it out.
While the other students around the table were sharing their “whys” and their goals - I literally said “I just feel like I’m supposed to be here.”
That leap of faith was one of the best choices I have made in my lifetime - PHEW was it scary. But it has truly opened up my world, and for that I am forever thankful.
Maybe your vision for your career has shifted - or maybe it has stayed the same, but you don’t quite know how to get there - Here is my advice!
Through my years of being a Licensed Esthetics Instructor and mentoring many people, I have come to offer various pieces of advice for those young and old, new and seasoned, on how to find their most favorite esthetics job. The best of the best they could ever imagine.
Feel into your vision.
How do you want to feel walking into work? How do you want your room to look? What kinds of relationships do you want with your clients?
At the end of the day - we should be spending our energy in spaces that delight us and fill our hearts and souls - envision a profession where you don’t even feel like you are “working!” How does your biggest dream look and feel to you?
Spend time where you think you might want to work.
If you are scoping out a salon or spa, go in and get a service. Even do this “anonymously” - don’t let them know that you are thinking of working there right off the bat if you can - this way you can get the perspective of the establishment as your future clients will see it. Do the employees seem happy? Does the conversation you hear fill you with joy or worry? Are you treated with great customer service? If this establishment isn’t anywhere you would want to get a service, it probably isn’t a place that you would want to work!
Alternatively, if you’re looking to grow a business on your own and build new or use an empty salon/spa space, go visit the neighborhood. Find a coffee shop or a bench close by to the location you’re scouting and sit with a notebook and observe who walks by, if they look like they’d be an ideal client, see how much foot traffic there is, or if people make quick stops. Feel into the vibration - are people stressed and wanting to come and go quickly or do they love to hang out and be social? There is a lot to be said about our own ability to raise the vibration of a space and make it more inviting, but it is helpful to know how much work you have cut out for yourself!
Make a lot of friends without expectations.
They say “It’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know” - and I couldn’t agree more! Our social network can be an endless supply of support, valuable connections and clients! But the key is to not go into building these relationships with any expectations. You don’t want to walk into a party expecting to book 3 people for a brow wax with you that next week - that is energetically weird. When you meet people, ask about them and what they do - and when you talk about yourself let them know what you do and that you love to do it - that’s all! Next time they are in need of a service that you offer, they will think fondly of your interaction and they will think to come see you!
Get a “bridge job” if you need to.
A “Bridge Job” is one that allows substantial income and minimal brain/emotional effort so that you can reserve creative energy and time into building your dream career without being swallowed up by bills and debt. It is also a huge bonus if this job puts you smack dab in the middle of the community in which you would want to work - like at that local coffee shop - you can get to know the regulars and the people in the community. Who knows what kinds of connections that will allow! Plus, when you are ready to shift to taking clients, you already have phenomenal connections.
Find A way to keep “one foot” in the industry if you need to step out for a while.
Sometimes we just can’t make a spa job work. Maybe we have had to leave the only spa worth working at in the small town because of poor business management by owners. Maybe our spouse got a new job and we had to move across country and it’ll be months before your license is granted reciprocity - or you would have to go back to school for 300 more hours before your license is recognized and you can’t bring in the income right away. Maybe you had twins and can’t justify the cost of childcare for being able to work in a spa 4 days a week.
Consider finding ways to keep your hands in your skill set- I love to mentor beauty business women in direct sales of world famous professional cosmetics for both skin care and makeup items. You can make an income from home or as a side hustle while you get income or skills elsewhere.
You could also create a YouTube channel where you educate different skin care techniques or makeup looks - you can keep your hands busy and maybe even have makeup artistry clientele.
Be gentle with yourself! Who knows how long you’ll have to be out, but take heart - so many of us need to take breaks because life happens, but what is beautiful is that it allows us to expand other skills, both “soft” and hard skill sets, and this allows us to be more well-rounded, empathetic people and in the long term, it will serve us in our success.
My dears, I made a YouTube video about this topic! Subscribe for other video mentoring!
I hope this was helpful in giving you some direction toward your dream job as an esthetician!
I am loving all of the connections I have been building - I am creating more mentorship opportunities since there has been such an increase in demand!
Join my esthetician group on facebook for more inspiration and education!
