Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Susann Crowell on August 7, 2013 at 9:35pm

Hi Christina,

I agree with you. I hit a ceiling in a medspa in the past and recently did booth rent which came with all the inventory and equipment costs. You need to give a solid 3-5 years to build a client base before you will have the income you're seeking, in my opinion. I have recently begun working with an anti-aging company that offers multiple solutions for aging based on genetic research and the ability to change gene expression both internally and externally. I am finding that the income associated with this will exceed what I was able to accomplish in the treatment room alone and it works in conjunction quite nicely. Especially as the trends are moving towards total wellness. Happy to share information with you privately if you like. It sounds like you would be a good candidate for the program. susanncrowell@gmail.com

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Permalink Reply by Dawn C on August 7, 2013 at 10:25pm

There are a few things you could cross train in doing, one is learning lymphatic drainage which is great for people with cold, allergies, puffy eyes, another would be a cellulite machine or ultrasound facials using a dermawave machine. Photo Rejuvenation with LED, Dermaplaning, or Dermafiling.
If you try the dermafiling I recommend Leslie Lind.You can let her know I recommended you, Dawn Cox. If you have clients that cant have microdermabraision because the suction is too much for them...well dermafiling will now get you those clients and it is a manual micro. My clients like it so much better than the suction micro. I combine lymphatic drainage at the end of the service when applying moisturizer. It can also be added onto a service for an extra 30 min. Must be trained in lymphatic because of contraindications.

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Permalink Reply by Natalie on August 8, 2013 at 2:06am

If you can not do laser except under Dr. what about doing Massage? Lic. MT seem to be sought after ( at least around me) more than basic esthetic services. Could you do acupuncture to mix in also?

Not sure what type of business you were in before if there is anyway to do both or part-time while going back to school. Even getting RN that way you could do more medical type esthetics. Oncology is a specialized field or getting certified and able to have staff and equipment to do more than other esty around you can't or do not offer. Peels, Micoderm, Photo-therapy, acne clinic,...keep educated o the latest products and newest modality. Even the older ones become a Pro. 

Unless you want to do nails, can easily do skin care and natural nails. Even get personal training or yoga certification. If you are interested in these things then have an all over wellness approach and degree to gain more clients and $

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Permalink Reply by Christina on August 8, 2013 at 5:40pm

Thanks everyone. I would love input on anyone who has feedback on electrolysis as well. Is the demand for that still there or has everyone moved to laser?

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Permalink Reply by Dawn C on August 8, 2013 at 9:13pm

In FL most are doing laser and very few offer electrolysis. Derma rolling "needling" is becoming more popular and very few are are offering it yet. Try it a few times on 1/2 of your face and take detailed pictures of before during and after for a few weeks or until you see the results. (30 to 45 days) The pictures should show how your skin improved then type out the procedure and how it felt on your skin. Great marketing tool if you decide to use it as an add on service. Be sure to check the depth the needling can go so that it isnt into the dermal layer.

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Permalink Reply by Susann Crowell on August 8, 2013 at 10:20pm

Christina, You might also consider spray tanning and Eyelash Extensions. There will be a minimal startup cost for training and supplies, but these are very popular services in my area. 

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Permalink Reply by Marty Glenn on August 8, 2013 at 11:12pm

Christina

You need to go from new esty to seasoned esty before you graduate and take test.  What I mean is you need to have a resume that says more then just: Recently graduated and licensed.  You should know peels and business management.  These are broad strokes but I have met a few new esty over the last few weeks who are going to have a difficult time as they do not know enough and have zero clients and no budget to rent and advertise.

I actually met a student last week on a speaking engagement and she wanted to be have her license because she wants to start her own line. I did not even know what to say when she spoke about it.  My point, get educated on all the difficult sides with regards to just graduating and have a plan of attack on each issue.

Ideas:

1. Become awesome at waxing (i.e. Brazilians)

2. Make-up (Weddings / Proms)

3. Advertise now (your clients to the school) and apply you real estate marketing experience

4. Find your skin care line now and learn acne, melasma, maturing skin, etc. (Specialize in something you enjoy - a message you can apply to your marketing)

5. Join groups now for networking

6. Offer your services for free at a charity or Elderly (Could be a nightmare but its an idea)

7.  Offer teen makeup parties or ?  There is a post on this subject that had huge ideas

Do NOT wait till you are graduated to start.  Start now and work within the limits of state law and start marketing now.

Regarding marketing: You have heard the power of 9 right? For a person to react to your advertising message they need to see it 3 times but it takes 3 to get each 3rd one and then finally on the 9th one they will actually call or visit.

Marty

SkinCareScience.com

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Permalink Reply by Tiffany V on August 9, 2013 at 7:49am

Hi Friend, In addition to my menu options I offer Lip exfoliation, anti-aging eye ampules or other types of specific ampules that I penetrate with galvanic or ultrasound.(all additional add-on at the cost of $10-$20. Eyelash extensions are a big part of my market.You must become certified but, its worth its weight in gold.People love them and because its a celebrity trend everyone wants them. I make sure I keep with the latest trends.Thanks for the housewives shows on bravo-lol. You would be surprised how many clients ask me how they can look like one of those ladies.(w/o surgical intervention).Find your niche, and run with it.Let people know you specialize in that one particular niche and promote, promote ,promote.Best of luck. Dont get discouraged, its a tough market but at the same time its a 12 billion $ industry.Your time will come,If this is your true PASSION- theirs no such thing as failure.Most importantly,sell yourself!!

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Permalink Reply by Tiffany V on August 10, 2013 at 7:58am

Hi Marty, Do you have any suggestions on finding a great private label company for my Esthetic practice. I trying to find one that compliments all skin types especially because of the 4 season weather changes where I live. I've looked into a few that did not have a large variety .( I was shocked!) 

TY,

Tiff

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Permalink Reply by Cindy Greenwood on August 9, 2013 at 9:47am

I think that your best track would be to eventually own your own multi-therapist business...your income needs are far higher than entry level estheticians (and even some experienced ones!) would earn.

I would also advise you NOT to get training in an area just because you think you might make money at it.

Really give careful thought about what you would enjoy doing.

Spray tanning, eyelash extensions, and nails are all viable ideas and worth looking into. Makeup is great too - repeat business in product sales can really boost your bottom line.

I am a massage therapist and earn most of my income with various massage modalities.

If you look at successful day and destination spas you will see that the majority of their treatment rooms and staff and devoted to body/massage therapies. However if you don't have any interest in massage then it would be a waste of your time and money.

Others have mentioned some add-on facial services that could boost the income of each facial, always good to keep in mind no matter what else you decide to do. Little things sometimes add up.

Acupuncture/TCM takes quite a bit more commitment in time/money/education but I don't see a lot of successful practitioners except the ones who run a wellness clinic.

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Permalink Reply by coldsalineplexus on August 10, 2013 at 9:00am

I feel that electrolysis is still quite in demand - if anything, it's more valuable now because supply is short (it's hard to find a practitioner).  I like it for my clients who have the stubborn gray "billy goat hairs" on the chin and neck.  I've also had clients with a lot of success with it for the area between the brow and the hairline.  It's more precise than laser, and some lasers are contraindicated for the upper face anyway.

For reasons we have already discussed, I still think that the best pay per unit time is to be the top esthetician at a busy spa...  But I also think you'd be qualified for a management position in a very successful day spa...  which might lower your net needs if things like insurance were paid. 

The other sure way to make sure your income needs are met is to do an amazing job retailing to your clients, in whatever setting.  

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