We asked licensed estheticians what they think are the most valuable things their career has taught them: things they wish somebody had told them before they started. Here are the responses.
Emma Graves, New York: If you love what you are doing and truly care about your clients, it shows, and your clients respond. If you don’t believe in what you are doing, don’t do it! There are so many different types of jobs available to estheticians that you are sure to find the right fit for you, whether it’s in a salon setting, a doctor’s office, a health spa, or a beauty counter. Don’t make yourself unhappy thinking that only certain circumstances will bring you success.
Peggy Fuller, North Carolina: Save up to 2.5 years of your current salary prior to opening your own business, so you can weather the unexpected.
Becky Sturm, Minnesota: One of my first clients grabbed me by the arm and said, “If you listen to one thing an old woman can tell you, stay out of the sun, or this will be you!” That was all I needed to hear. I was 18 and all forms of tanning immediately stopped for me. I am now 45 and my skin looks great. I don’t even have crow’s feet!
Michelle Reid, New York: Continuing education is key to staying competitive and successful.
Janee Steinberg, Florida: Individualize each treatment to fit the needs and the budget of the client. We can’t always give every client everything they want, but we are able to produce excellent results if we start with reasonable expectations. The other thing that is important is to always be on the cutting edge of technology. Although it is expensive, we must replace old technology with newer, more effective, and more efficient technology in order to offer the best service.
Tawny Agriam, California: The most important thing I’ve learned is the value of prevention. Learning about the skin and all its functions taught me how food, exercise, stress management, and a daily topical regime can keep my skin in good health. It’s never too early to start.
Angela Mauricio, California: It took me more than five years to realize that I need time to myself, and to not feel guilty for it. I want to give 110 percent all the time, but I became burned out. I am a much better worker when I take the time out that I need.
Kelly Dembski, Illinois: If we take the time to learn about the products and treatments we recommend, it is a great benefit to our customers and will help us build a successful and very meaningful career. The biggest downfall of the skin care industry is the amount of conflicting information. The consumer is completely overwhelmed. I conducted my own research so I could give good advice, and over time this translated into a 500 percent increase in my product sales. It wasn’t about selling to the customer, but more about educating them.
Jennifer Charm, California: I wish I’d known that it is nearly impossible to run a business when you are a perfectionist. I ran a large corporate salon for six years and I could either run the company or work on my clientele. I couldn’t do both perfectly.