Help! Need some advice!
Hello,
I am very discouraged right now , and need some advice. I have been licensed for about 5years now, and I absolutely love what I do. I went into my new esthetics career a little backwards. After I graduated from esthetics school, I couldn't find a job so I stepped out on faith and opened up my own business in a individual suite. The first year I found a place where I was the only esthetician , but the only down fall was that I realized it was in a retirement community and they were just not getting facials or waxing done. So I moved into a prime location, and I ran a deal with groupon to generate business to my new location. I ended up selling over 400 deals which of course kept me busy for a good year. I had no idea at that time that no matter how great of a facial you provide that because there is so many other deals daily that people are not going to come back the way that you had intended. I did gain a few loyal clients, but I moved again to what seemed to be a better location for me to grow. As of today I have been on my own or 3 1/2 years now and my lease is about to be up again. I ended up taking a part time job in order to help support my business, but honestly it is not enough. I was offered a position from one of my clients a few days ago, that makes very good money , but I just don't know what to do. It is sad because I feel like I have too many clients to leave, but not enough to stay. I have done all I know how to do in order to grow my business, and it just breaks my heart to think that I may have to close my business down due to the fact that I a struggling to keep it open. I would love to get some advice from some of my fellow veteran's estheticians. I just feel like a failure if I walk away from what took me so long to get too, but I am drowning in debt trying to keep it open. Thank you in advance!!
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Samantha Maline on
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I would suggest that you take the job, pay down your debt and start over. As you've figured out its not lasting to build clientele on discounts. You have a lot of experience under your belt now so you should move forward quickly. And I'm curious as to why you would lose your existing clients. The only thing that should make that happen is if you move a long distance which it sounds like you've done a couple of times. Get somewhere, settle in, make some money (don't discount), pay down debt, and if you still dream to own your own business then do it. Build into it with a solid, steadfast plan centered on goals and meeting the demands of your client base.
Sorry it's been so rough, what doesn't kill only makes you stronger!
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Permalink Reply by Angela Brill on
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Curious what you decided to do???
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I am thinking the new job is not in this line of work or is it? I totally get where you are coming from and am kinda feeling the same way. I think staying settled is key. I also ran a groupon and I did cross sell and keep clients. You could do a mass mailing to all the groupon people if you have their info and offer them the groupon price for another service or give them a deal on a new service. I think once you get discouraged it is hard to do anything. It is a slow time for me as well but you have to look back and see if all your business was just groupons or how it balanced out. Have you run any ads?
If you do leave this profession keep your license and stay up on all the info and who knows what will happen. You could also find someone that might let you sublet their room and keep your current clients so you stay fresh. Keep us posted and hang in there!
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Permalink Reply by coldsalineplexus on
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That would be my question as well - is the new offer for work as an esthetician?
If so, maybe consider it seriously, negotiate for a good split, and bring your clients with you. If it is an esthetics position, perhaps you could even recover some of your investment by selling equipment to the new spa?
If it is not, would she consider hiring you for almost-full-time? Like 30hrs or something? Something to allow you one or two evenings a week, plus Saturdays, to keep your business running. And then, perhaps, rent out or rentshare your room with someone else?
Good luck, and big hugs! I know this must be a very difficult time for you!
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Permalink Reply by Kimberly Cummings Nyamekye on
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Don't give up, don't give up your dreams all that you have done to get started and then step out on to faith, I fervently believe that there is always a ring in the rubble and treasure in our trouble, no matter how difficult or painful the change may be. Just a small quote from Gary Bradt the name of his book is (The ring in the rubble) Dig Through Change and Find Your Next Golden Opportunity. I just picked this book up at my local Dollar Store so much good advice!! I to jumped rite out their in my new field of spa, I have dual license and things get a little ?? at times when you are a one women show just believe, there is a ring of men and women out there who truly need your service of how to take care and be educated on their skin care needs, you have the rainbow with in you let your true colors show thru your work and just believe... Stay strong!
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Permalink Reply by Erica Estrada on
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I am in the same boat as you. I love what I do but barely getting by. I feel like my debt will never go away the way things are going now. I have recently thought about getting a second job for extra cash. I just don't want to give up on my dream of doing what I love. I think it's so important but I know it's not easy when you are struggling.
Looking forward to hear what others have to say about this too.
Keep your head up and hopefully the answer will come to you :)
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Sometimes I feel this way, but I just started on my own...I have ended up with managing the salon and spa....I am independent booth renter....so that added a lot to my plate....I think no matter what, I have to hussle, manage my money well, be sure to offer variety and change things up, stay educated, sell products to each client b/c they NEED it,not just to make more money (though that is the point of sales for me, too!! Sorry, can admit it!! Ha) AND I KNOW I sometimes spend too much time in all the little details instead of getting more clients in the door....I have been changing....not going on and on about all the small things....and it is showing with a growing clientele....Word of mouth is huge for me. I also have done a Back to School Special....Take those clients you do have and give them incentive to bring you clients....I don't do Groupons...some people swear by them, but I live in a small town and feel I shouldn't do them....If you love what you do DONT GIVE UP!
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Business any better? I am slow!
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Permalink Reply by Sheena Thomas on
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Hi Latoya,
I too took a leap of faith and have only been doing this on my own since Feb 2013. When I say all the way down to the tee of what you are experiencing so am I. The thought scares me of having to close doors and I too also love what I do. These web deal sites in my opinion have ruined our industry in the light of clients who are coupon shoppers going on to the next place. Have you ever offered them to come back to you for the same deal? That way you are not having to split any money with the deal sites. That has helped me some. Also it's going to take a lot more research on how to really succeed in our industry in regards to setting yourself aside from others, or what you may consider what you do differently from others. It could be something as simple as offering green tea after your service, or upselling certain services that you offer. While in school I remember reading that in our field we have to stay on top of the latest trends in technology. This is what will bring more people to you. I just said to my better half today that I'm looking to get a part time gig just to save money for the next big trend, because this is not cutting it. I joined today to be part of a group that are willing to help each other out as a team. Keep in mind your overhead expenses as far as your room rent should be something that is not going to get you too much behind in trying to keep up with that. One thing I would like to comment on is that I put a cap to all of the vouchers I sold on web deals. The reason being is because I did not want to overwhelm myself with clients & complaints on not being able to get an appointment in a timely fashion. I found that even with the small cap that I do (no more than 50 per month) some STILL complain and request for refund. So think about quality over quantity. I've had clients love the fact that I take my time and act as though they are the only client for the day! For me it's location where I'm losing out because of traffic. Many have told me that was the best facial, but I'm going to be honest if you were closer I'd be coming to you! I'm just looking at what you said from a customer stand point. Maybe they felt rushed through service because you were booked? 400 is a lot to handle and & in the clients eyes they may have sensed some rushing to get the facial done. This is just an example of first impressions. It sucks, but in this business we have to look at everything. I'm noticing that you do need to have a good chunk of money to market to those with money who are willing to pay your regular prices and not deal hoppers. For example, advertising with Yelp, your local women's magazine, radio commercial...etc. These are some of the things I'm finding that can help but are costly. I say if you do need to get a pt gig do so, that way you can have some extra cash to start investing in certain high tech machines that keep people flowing in. We can do facials all day, but people want results. So like investing in a microcurrent machine, ultrasonic, etc.. That is the only reason I'm looking to get a pt job just so I can keep things going. They say as new business owners these things take time. Don't give up! We are all in this together as I too took a leap of faith leaving a great income career job. I hope this helps, but let me know if you have any questions. I'd be more than happy to brainstorm so we as Estheticians can be successful.
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Permalink Reply by Valarie on
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LaToya,
Be encouraged. Sometimes a fresh clean slate might be just what you needed. This is something I hear all too often and that I can personally testify to myself several years ago. It's the common story of a solo Esty's break down in business and marketing plan. The one thing I also see often, is the disregard of the Esty's value. How much do you believe you are worth? When promoting groupons, that is just the following of clients a business will attract. If you place a higher value on your services, the same goes. It comes down to your value, approach, consistency and excellent service. Couple all of these and trust me, clients will come back to you and pay what you are worth.
Step back, look at the overall picture and regroup. In no time you will be back on your feet!
All the best,
Valarie
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Permalink Reply by Felice | SolutionsForBeauty.com on
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I have worked with businesses. Take the job and if you can work PT by keeping a foot within the industry or keep some clients if you can from home or as a visiting estetician, why not?
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most esthi's are in the same boat as you. I work independent sales at Costco for different companies to pay my rent which is not high at all. I share a room with my friend since we both used to work together, this until we are both able to each have our own room with a stable income! Don't give up! But if u bow out you will have a harder time trying to rebuild later.
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