What advice would you give skin care students?
- If you were mentoring a skin care student, what's the one best piece of advice you would share with them?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Denise Ivers on
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I spent the year while I was in school learning and researching every topic related to skin care that I could find on the internet. I attended skin care tradeshows and conferences taking advantage of the free classes they offer, did outside training (that allowed students), networked, read tons of books and most importantly for me knowing that my goal was to be self employed; I developed a business plan that was realistic, my menu of services and my business name. I visualized what my business would look like; business image and marketing, business website and my target clientele baby boomers and clients with acne. My inital plan early on was to work for a spa for at least a year to get as much hands on training as possible then move on my own. Well, that didn't happen after looking for work for 5 months. No one wanted to hire anyone with less than 2 yrs experience. This is a second career for me and I jumped in with both feet after being laid off. Skin care must be your passion in order to be successful and you have to really show your clients alot of TLC. Knowledge, confidence and providing exceptional service and results is key to a successful career. I'm constantly looking for opportunities to expand my clientele. Last year I started providing facials and back treatments at a Women's retreat held 3 times a year in Santa Cruz Ca. Many have become regular clients. I am a booth renter in a Salon & Spa in San Jose.
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Permalink Reply by Gladys Allen on
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Denise, I too am finding it hard to find someone to hire right out of school. I would love to open a small spa that I would be able to manage by myself, however I only have the one license... How is it going for yo so far?
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Permalink Reply by Nicole Martin on
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I have had a very varied business background until I started in Esthetics in Jan 02. By Aug of 03 I was completely out on my own.
1. I think first and foremost you need to have your accounting system and business accounts (checking, lic, resale, etc.) set up right away. I did somethings backwards because I thought it was going to be a lot more expensive then it turned out to be. I should have set up my LLC right away. Your local Small Business Association can help with all of this - you do not need to pay a lawyer.
2. I was initially in a hair salon. This was challenging in a way since hair and spa people think and practice differently. At least that has been my experience. However, that being said I was there Tues - Sat all day even if I did not have clients. I was there to answer any questions, answer the phone, help out and see clients. It drives me crazy when people say they do not have any business but then are not at the location to help promote themselves. I never expected the owner of the hair salon to sell me completely. She told people about me sure but I was there to promote myself and be seen!
3. Be prepared to work more then 1 job. I am single with my own house and all that comes with that so I would never have been able to make it in the beginning paying for all my supplies, rent at work and home if I had not worked other jobs. You are not going to make a ton of money your first year or several. Good for you if you happen to be in a place that you can.
4. Pay attention in class, ask questions and make sure you go to a school where they are actually teaching you and not just taking your money.
5. Network - get out and meet people. Offer to speak at different networking groups on an educational topic, join various groups - maybe a group that is also a hobby for you.
6. Get a website! Not a just a brochure online be sure to include information, interesting articles, events you have going on or local stuff that you love. I get tons of business from my website because of how it is designed and what I have in it. www.RaspberryMoonST.com is my website and the lady I work with can help you no matter where you are located.
7. Have nicely designed marketing pieces. Even if you have to create it yourself - although sometimes it is more cost effective in the end to pay someone. There are all sorts of inexpensive printers online.
8. Offer online gift certificates through SpaBoom or someone like that. It is always great if the company you are going to use has marketing ideas and pieces you can "steal" from so you don't have to create your own all the time. For years I have done my own newsletters - I wrote them, my web lady made them pretty and I sent them out through Constant Contact.
9. Be yourself! You don't have to have the same "spa" look like everyone else does! Yes you have to be professional but you don't have to be stuffy! Have fun!
10. Be a source of information for people. I have clients that call me for all sorts of interesting things. If I don't know the answer I know where to send them too. I promote the heck out of people I love and do business with alot. I will even direct a potential client some place else if I don't offer what they need or want. You can't be everything to everyone.
I am always happy to answer questions for people specifically. I do it all the time for people who are starting out.
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I forgot - LEARN TO WAX! And do it well - there are a lot of skincare people out there but awesome waxers are few and far between. At least that has been my experience. Waxing is what paid my bills for a long time as I built up my skincare business. It is also easier on your body then facial treatments. I can wax all day long with no problems. Learn to do an awesome Brazilian wax!
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Hi Denise...Can I ask you how much you pay for your booth rental? I'm considering moving to a smaller spa and paying a monthly rent for a 12x12 room but she also wants to take 10% of my total monthly service sales. Is this the normal way this is done? Thank you for any input you have.
Denise Ivers said:I spent the year while I was in school learning and researching every topic related to skin care that I could find on the internet. I attended skin care tradeshows and conferences taking advantage of the free classes they offer, did outside training (that allowed students), networked, read tons of books and most importantly for me knowing that my goal was to be self employed; I developed a business plan that was realistic, my menu of services and my business name. I visualized what my business would look like; business image and marketing, business website and my target clientele baby boomers and clients with acne. My inital plan early on was to work for a spa for at least a year to get as much hands on training as possible then move on my own. Well, that didn't happen after looking for work for 5 months. No one wanted to hire anyone with less than 2 yrs experience. This is a second career for me and I jumped in with both feet after being laid off. Skin care must be your passion in order to be successful and you have to really show your clients alot of TLC. Knowledge, confidence and providing exceptional service and results is key to a successful career. I'm constantly looking for opportunities to expand my clientele. Last year I started providing facials and back treatments at a Women's retreat held 3 times a year in Santa Cruz Ca. Many have become regular clients. I am a booth renter in a Salon & Spa in San Jose.
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Hey Shelia - I know you didn't ask me but if you are paying booth rent then I would not be paying a % as well. What is she charging you for your space? I have a great deal at my place and only pay $125/wk. I have never heard of doing both. I am in SC so maybe things are different where you are located.Good luck!
Sheila Brittingham said:
Hi Denise...Can I ask you how much you pay for your booth rental? I'm considering moving to a smaller spa and paying a monthly rent for a 12x12 room but she also wants to take 10% of my total monthly service sales. Is this the normal way this is done? Thank you for any input you have.
Denise Ivers said:I spent the year while I was in school learning and researching every topic related to skin care that I could find on the internet. I attended skin care tradeshows and conferences taking advantage of the free classes they offer, did outside training (that allowed students), networked, read tons of books and most importantly for me knowing that my goal was to be self employed; I developed a business plan that was realistic, my menu of services and my business name. I visualized what my business would look like; business image and marketing, business website and my target clientele baby boomers and clients with acne. My inital plan early on was to work for a spa for at least a year to get as much hands on training as possible then move on my own. Well, that didn't happen after looking for work for 5 months. No one wanted to hire anyone with less than 2 yrs experience. This is a second career for me and I jumped in with both feet after being laid off. Skin care must be your passion in order to be successful and you have to really show your clients alot of TLC. Knowledge, confidence and providing exceptional service and results is key to a successful career. I'm constantly looking for opportunities to expand my clientele. Last year I started providing facials and back treatments at a Women's retreat held 3 times a year in Santa Cruz Ca. Many have become regular clients. I am a booth renter in a Salon & Spa in San Jose.
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Hi Nicole.....Thanks for your quick response. Her room rent is $500 a month, which I thought was sufficient. I just can't see paying 10% of services on top of that. I appreciate your honest input. Have an awesome day!
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I don't know what kind of place it is Shelia but I would say that is fair to pay $500 but not the extra. Are you providing all of your own supplies etc? I have never heard of anyone doing that. When I first started I actually paid the lady 20% of service sales. I provided everything. She was doing that to help me build my business. When I left a 1.5 years later I was paying her more then anyone else in the shop and would have switched to a flat rate.
Good luck!
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In the 20 rules for Independent Contractor with the US Labor agency it states the owner cannot be involved with the monies of the IC. Maybe your owner knows more than I about it, but I was under the impression that a true IC paid RENT, had a key, etc.
I think I would go to the US Labor site and find the IC rules. The list is also on www.beautytech.com.
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Hi Shelia,
I pay $500 month which is about half of the norm for my area...the bay area is very expensive. She, the owner is helping me get started and I know if she had anyone else interested in the room full time (it's about 12x15) she could get 1K a month. She also has offer me 10% commission on any products I sell that total more than $100 per month. She doesn't take any % of my income earned and even though the salon/spa is closed Sun & Mon I can work any day since I have a key. I never signed any contract. I'm very fortunate.
If I were you I would call around and see how other spas in your area handle rents/commissions. There are so many different ways in which business owners charge rent and commissions in this area. I have a friend that works in a very well know spa in San Jose. She doesnt pay rent but keeps 50% of her services. Another friend gets a very low salary but 30% commission on products sold. No monthly minimum. Good luck.
Denise
Nicole Martin said:Hey Shelia - I know you didn't ask me but if you are paying booth rent then I would not be paying a % as well. What is she charging you for your space? I have a great deal at my place and only pay $125/wk. I have never heard of doing both. I am in SC so maybe things are different where you are located.Good luck!
Sheila Brittingham said:Hi Denise...Can I ask you how much you pay for your booth rental? I'm considering moving to a smaller spa and paying a monthly rent for a 12x12 room but she also wants to take 10% of my total monthly service sales. Is this the normal way this is done? Thank you for any input you have.
Denise Ivers said:I spent the year while I was in school learning and researching every topic related to skin care that I could find on the internet. I attended skin care tradeshows and conferences taking advantage of the free classes they offer, did outside training (that allowed students), networked, read tons of books and most importantly for me knowing that my goal was to be self employed; I developed a business plan that was realistic, my menu of services and my business name. I visualized what my business would look like; business image and marketing, business website and my target clientele baby boomers and clients with acne. My inital plan early on was to work for a spa for at least a year to get as much hands on training as possible then move on my own. Well, that didn't happen after looking for work for 5 months. No one wanted to hire anyone with less than 2 yrs experience. This is a second career for me and I jumped in with both feet after being laid off. Skin care must be your passion in order to be successful and you have to really show your clients alot of TLC. Knowledge, confidence and providing exceptional service and results is key to a successful career. I'm constantly looking for opportunities to expand my clientele. Last year I started providing facials and back treatments at a Women's retreat held 3 times a year in Santa Cruz Ca. Many have become regular clients. I am a booth renter in a Salon & Spa in San Jose.
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Permalink Reply by Diana Lynn Barrows on
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Networking is key, continue to learn, set healthy boundaries*
All informative advice, thank you! I am hungry for independence, financial security & success. Ultimately, we're all responsible for where we are in life and I have been questioning my place in the world. Ever since my boyfriend passed away from cancer late December I have been trying to move on with life. I am looking for full time employment that will lead to a fulfilling career. Eventually, I would like to become an instructor, perhaps a business owner too. Would appreciate all the help I can get, I am determined to make this a better year. ~Diana
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Permalink Reply by Pamela Cantor on
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Getting your license just means you won't kill the customer. You are in no position to hang out your shingle and expect clients to flock to your door. Your real educations in skin care starts after graduation. Get a mentor, learn some basic business skills and never stop studying your trade. Network with other estys, attend local trade shows and take advantage of as many advanced classes as possible. Real all the trades. Surf the net. The industry is changing daily. You've got to keep up with the changes while you're learning the day-to-day treatment practices.
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