Esties who previously had another career

I am working on our back-page topic for the next ASCP Skin Deep magazine and would like to hear from people who became an esthetician after having a previous career doing something else. Please reply here and your answer might be used in the magazine! What did you do before, and what made you change to skin care? How has it worked out for you? Do you feel your other career skills have made a difference in your current role?

This could also be relevant to people who do skin care part-time and have another career at the same time.

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Permalink Reply by Lois Rosendale on April 26, 2013 at 11:40am

Breaking out of something that you have to do and into something you love doing is a worth-while challenge.

My name is Lois, and my story begins in 2004. I was an Executive Assistant for an Atlanta based International Architecture/Interior Design practice. I worked with one of the most influential women in this industry (Ann). She and I became closer as the years went by. One holiday, Ann gave me a gift certificate for a facial. This was my first spa experience. Ann told me her mother advised her that it was important to take care of her skin; and she imparted this same gift to me. Personally, I'm eternally grateful. I believe Ann observed my struggles with adult acne and wanted to help in a sweet, subtle way.

I arrived at the appointment unknowing what to expect. When the service was complete, I felt relaxed, clean and my skin never felt better! I said to the Esthetiican, "I didn't know you could do this for a living! I loved it! Where did you go to school?"

When I returned to work on Monday I told Ann I had an epiphany. I planned on attending to school to become an Esthetician. She said, with encouragement, "Please let me know when you need facial or waxing credits - I'll help you earn your diploma!" This is where it started, branching from one life; feeling trapped and overwhelmed and into a life inspired.

I'm currently applying individual eyelash extensions, working for myself and I loving it. My organizational, marketing, inventory and time management skills have all transitioned smoothly into my new career. I honestly couldn't have predicted what Ann's gift inspired: me to help so many other women boost their confidence, to feel and look beautiful. It's a gift that continues to keep giving.

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Permalink Reply by Lorie Kuchta on April 29, 2013 at 1:38pm

Hello Carrie,

My name is Lorie and I had my own business as a real estate appraiser. I loved my career, however, the real estate market took a nose dive and literally I woke up one day and work just disappeared, then my savings trying to pay my mortgage as a single mom, then my retirement trying to save my home, and lastly my confidence dwindled with every piece of furniture got sold or thrown away as i try to sell everything i owned just to eat and pay bills. Initially, I was devistated and heart broken, what was I going to do? I decided, I was going to pick a career that I wanted to do and I was going to wake up every morning excited about life and that my job would be fun, rewarding, something that came from the heart and that I have a passion for and that is skin care and helping others. I became a licensed esthetician 2 years ago and finally I am waiting for the official confirmation of being hired as a part time receptionist. I thought I would be further than I am by now but the momentum has picked up speed, I am either going to get this opportunity in the most reputable salon in Annapolis or I will go on my own. It is just that simple! I am done waiting to do what I want to do as a career and I refuse to settle for anything less than what I want. I believe losing everything including my confidence career wise is the reason I have had such a slow start but I have always been a go-getter and now I have the best reasons in the world to move forward in quantum leaps. I am a grandmother of 3 grandsons and I am NOT getting any younger and I am ready to reach the goals I set out for myselft a few years back. It is perfect timing in many different aspects. I am a grandmother yet I do not have any wrinkles, it reflects well for me and when women find out how old I am they want to know my secrets of looking so young, its wonderful. I am passionate about skin care and I am such a loving and nurturing person so my motto is "My knowledge and technique will attract them, but it is my heart that will keep them coming back!" Even if I do get the job at the salon and I'm sure I will, it is only part time so I will need to go on my own very soon. I was looking into doing facials here and there for a local nail salon and ironically it is only 2 streets away from the receptionist position and with their flexibility, it looks like everything is going to workout for me. My specialty is anti-aging and I also have created a signature facial that know one has I don't believe anywhere? It incorporates energetic healing through a certain product I have come across that is such an indulgence and is fun and best of all, whether the client believes it heals or not really doesn't matter because it does I have used them and it is safe for all to use. The clients won't be able to help from coming back they will not be able to deny the difference they will say "I am so happy, I feel great, alive and beautiful." and I will say "And your face looks fabulous too!" They won't even realize the healing will help them radiate from the inside out and THAT is what being beautiful is all about. You start on the skin, go deep enough to touch the heart and viola out comes radiance and beauty. And that Carrie has much value, people will be lining up to pay for my professional and loving one of kind facial.

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Permalink Reply by Nesrin Brecheisen on April 29, 2013 at 4:41pm

Hello Carrie, my name is Nesrin Akdag. Most of my college background while I was living in Turkey. I graduated from Hacettepe University with an office management degree and worked at a local bank for almost one year. During my studies at Hacettepe University, I was in amateur theater. While I was working at the bank, I prepared for college theater auditions which are very competitive and I was fortunate enough to be selected by Ankara University. I consider this one of my biggest accomplishments.

After graduating from Ankara University, my acting career continued for almost twelve years while I acted on stage, appeared in commercials, had roles in a couple movies, and was a cast member of numerous television shows. As an actress, beautiful skin is essential and the beauty industry played a very important role. Even before I started acting, I was interested in the beauty industry and having worked together for so long, my passion grew deeper. Changing careers would have been difficult at the time, but when I moved to Seattle over a year ago, I saw an opportunity to pursue my passion and attended the Euro Institute of Skin Care. I am now a licensed esthetician in the State of California.