Could Use Some Support - Please Give Me Advice
Hi Members!
I am so excited to be a new member of this site. I have been thinking about becoming an esthetician for a long time now. Here's "the thing" I am in my early 40's and terrified (while simultaneously excited) about making this rather radical career change into this field. I am coming from a pretty lucrative, long term career in real estate. I'm just flat out burned out, exhausted and mentally drained by the constant friction/stress of my present field. Having been successfully self employed for over 15 years I feel I can make a "go" of another profession which also offers opportunity to entrepreneurially minded professionals. I am fairly confident I will never make the kind of money I made in real estate BUT I want balance, a life and happiness.
At the same time, I do want to earn a nice, safe living but it scares me a little because I am just not clear on what potential the esthetician path truly holds for someone. I like to do well for myself but yes, I want to balance that with an enjoyable, satisfying career. I think skin care can offer that to me. Are those of you in this field who are entrepreneurial satisfied? Can I support my two daughters on the living I can make? (I am a single mom). I am fully confident in my business skills but this is so different and such a dramatic career change I admit to being scared. Support needed.....advice needed from those who have been there, done that. Or, who can at least speak to what can be achieved in this appealing career. I hope to hear from you and I GREATLY appreciate your input :)
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Claire Barnes on
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I would juggle both for a while until you build up a clientele. It can take time to build and along the way can be lots of discouragement (like starting any new business) when the incoming isn't quite happening at first. Keep your real estate license and try to build knowing you always have that safety net to fall back on. The ones that I have seen in the industry plod along 'happily' are usually younger without any responsibilities (parents support them/living at home etc) the ones that I have seen panic and stress out are the single Moms (quite rightly so) and the older (our age!!) people. So go for it.....but keep your toes in the real estate door if you can stand it for one more year whilst you juggle both! Good luck. Oh and being scared is perfectly understandable!!! Change is good, but can also be scary...especially when you have children to support! I am there, I wear the T-Shirt and it's not always easy!
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Permalink Reply by Krista C. on
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Hi Christina,
I too am an almost 40 year old starting my career in esthetics. I went to school 4 years ago but was scared to venture out until after my husband graduated college. (He's just received his RN license). I recently quit my steady bank job to start esthetics finally. I'm finding out that for the most part, it's difficult to just jump right in and start making a lot of money. I'm hoping that an interview I have with a spa that would pay me commission pans out. If not, I'm possibly going to try to buy my own equipment and product (with credit) and try to make a go of it from there. I thought I'd be able to rely on my husband's income, but with student loans from school and health insurance for our family (we've been without health insurance for 4 years), it's proving difficult to start out with no guaranteed income. I agree with Claire - keep your safety net just in case, and build your clientele slowly. Is it going to be difficult? Yes. You will have to put in a lot of hours. However, the payoff is tremendous when you can finally do what you love. Even if I have to go back to work at a "regular" job, I'm going to work my a$$ off and not give up on my dream. Good luck to you! I can't wait to hear about your esthetics adventures!! :)
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Permalink Reply by Christina on
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Thank you to both of you for your replies. November, seems like we have a lot in common. My somewhat strange dilemma is I just weathered the horrific real estate downturn (6 years of it!!). The last 2 years I was back on track with my income. I do have ample savings (thank you God for that), but the downturn caused me to cut deep into those savings. I was able to replenish a lot of the savings the last 2 years but I have this nagging pang of worry about cutting into my savings yet AGAIN which I know I'll have to do to get this going. I honestly would LOVE to hear from others who are well established who can speak specifically to the point of this career being able to offer a steady, stable income ONCE I've paid my dues, spent adequate time to develop a clientele. I understand those issues well. I am willing to develop the clientele. Even if it takes 2 to 3 years. I just want to feel confident a stable, respectable income can be had in this field once the groundwork and dues are paid? Anyone??
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Permalink Reply by Marty Glenn on
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Christina
Claire gave you the most intelligent business advise you will EVER!!! need:
"I would juggle both for a while until you build up a clientele."
There is NOT a single more important piece of advice.
Marty
SkinCareScience.com
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That is sound advice and makes great sense. Thanks!!
It does beg the question though to my ultimate question..when I have weathered all that, is the secure, respectable and dependable income on the other side of the equation? I have to support my children and need confidence I can make this work financially in the long term. I am so ready for this change but it has to make sense also (in the long term, I am not kidding myself that it won't take awhile to build up).
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Christina
In my humble opinion, there is no way to know that answer. Some skin care pros make 20K, while others make well into the high 5 figures if not 6. Who are you and what are your goals?
The same is true in your current field. 20% of the listings/sales are done by the 80%, while 80% of the listings/sales are done by the 20%. In all my years this equation has never changed. I understand your need for an answer but its always the same: who are you and what are your goals?
But no matter what, I stand by Claire: "I would juggle both for a while until you build up a clientele."
It truly is the answer to shape your new adventure around.
Marty
SkinCareScience.com
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Thanks! Indeed I agree with Claire's advice. In my present career I am in the top 6% of my entire region :) What you say is true - especially where sales are concerned. Fortunately for me, that is my strongest suit. However, your figures differ from that of the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Anyone in 6 figures in this career would be an extreme anomaly according to their published reports. Therein lies my concern. Again, my aim at this point is not huge money. Been there, done that and glad of it. I am more about balance but still must support my family also. I just want reasonably good money to support my family AND regain my quality of life. Hoping an esthetician in a solo practice can attest to me it's absolutely achievable, despite what the BLS reports say. I saw that "Six Figure Esthetician" program online but have not yet purchased it.
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Permalink Reply by Jodi on
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I went back to school 3 years ago at age 45 to also get out of the corporate rat race and I'm so happy I did. I'm still only doing esthetics part time, but am building up a steady clientele, while working another job with a steady paycheck. I hope to make the move to full time esthetics soon. Good luck!
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Great feedback! Do you do it independently? Rent a booth? Work for a salon/spa? Doctor?
And kudos to you for having the guts to do it. Believe me, I KNOW a change at our age is NOT easy!!!! I admire you for following your dream. I'm inching there...but it's scary along the way.
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I currently work at a spa as an independent contractor. I've been there almost 2 years and am really starting to see my book full on the days I work. I'm only working 2-3 days a week at the spa at this point, but I was able to quit my stressful corporate job and got a job in the front office of a dental office for the steady paycheck.
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Permalink Reply by Julie Lynn on
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Hi Christina,
I just joined this group and about fell over when I read the 1st post (yours). I too am in my early "40" and believe it or not got my esthetician license 2 years ago while going through a divorce after 22 years of marriage & being a successful realtor for the past 15 years. Weird right? So here's my advice: I still have my real estate license but I work full time as an esthetician. I stared part time at a salon then I worked full time at a corporation as lead esthetician before finally settling on working at a salon/spa close to home with flexible hours so I can still be a mom. I'm doing commission split until my clientele is built up then will rent room then have my own place. I continued education to advance classes the past two years and continue to educate myself. (Learning something new after 15 years in real estate, re-newed my spirit). It is a little scary but worth it. Keep educating yourself to learn more about the skin care industry (remember how scary that real estate exam was? Or how about writing up your 1st contract?) now it's all a piece of cake! Good luck & God Bless!
Julie Lynn Skin
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Julie! Wow! A kindred spirit!!!! You know exactly what I'm going through, don't you?!?!
I'm so glad you took the time to write. It is so encouraging. And, all of you who've given input - VERY HELPFUL!! Julie, just curious..what state do you live in? I am divorced also. Anyway, I'm a "If it is to be, it is up to me" type of woman. It is reassuring to know there is a reward at the end of this journey. Knowing that increases my confidence. I am really enjoying everyone's input. I can't tell you how much I need this. I've been agonizing over this for quite some time.....with no one who understands what I am going through....until now!!!!!
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