New esty working for a new spa....
This is my first post and I'm writing because I could use some honest advice. I'm a new esty (licensed in Sept 2012) and I am at my first spa, which is also brand new. We've been open a couple of months. Let me start by saying that I love everything about it...the staff, location, products, services, management...everything. I feel like I have found a place that I could really learn and grow and be successful.
However, I'm being paid on a commission vs. draw basis. The problem is that there just aren't many clients for me. There is another esty who has more experience and a following, so she is much busier. Management does do quite a bit of marketing. I've dropped off fliers at businesses, sent out facebook messages and posts, anything they ask me to do to market.
I'm really struggling financially, so I do have a 2nd job. It's still hard to make ends meet. I'm getting paid minimum wage unless i make more in commission than my hourly rate. I think in time the client base will grow, but how long should I give it? The clients I do have seem to love me, I can retail, upsell, etc. I know I should be patient, but its just so hard when you need to be making money. When I was hired, they knew that I was brand new to this industry and didn't have a client base.
Its just so frustrating. I love this industry and I am so ready to hit the ground running. But for now, I'm just waiting... Ugh, maybe I just need a pep talk from someone who's been in my shoes.
Advice please!!! :)
Tags: esthetician, help, new
Views: 977
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jodi on
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When I graduated in 2010 I will always remember our teacher telling us you have to work 2+ years to build a loyal clientele and be able to make a good living doing commission only skin care full time. I'm in my 3rd year and still only doing it part time as I'm simply to scared to make that leap and not have a regular paycheck guaranteed coming in. I love what I do, and really wish I wasn't so scared. My advice and what I plan to do now that I've got some bills paid off is try to put money in savings and build a few months expenses and take the leap and go for it. I have a nice clientele for part time, but couldn't make a full time living off doing only those clients. I still need more, but simply don't have the time to add to my spa schedule to build many more. It's a catch 22 and the way the industry pays us makes it so hard to make a career leap. Keep doing what you are doing and you will get there! Good Luck!
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Permalink Reply by EstyStar on
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I hear ya. I started with a commission only based job and sat around for 10hr days in a spa that just opened, it was slow and they wanted someone there just in case we had a walk in...i realize I will never get those hours of my life back and do regret sitting there but I thought I was doing what I had to do and giving 110% as a new esty. Has it paid off? Hmmm I would say Im fully booked, the spa is very busy now and its been almost 2yrs so seems your teacher is right. The time flies by because you are doing something you love. Anyway you need to hang in there and its good to start out part time and keep another job because you are new and need to build clientele.
Make your own, personalized business cards - make sure they are high quality, with color, designed on front and back, write that you love referrals, hand them out to every client and give them 2 or 3 to give to friends, also let them know to rebook with you next visit.
If they have skincare issues tell them you need to see them in another month to see how things are progressing and if you need to make any changes in the skincare routine. Always find out what products they are using- and if they are right for their skin, give product recomendations -STUDY YOUR PRODUCTS -know their ingredients and what those ingredients do for the skin, this will help gain clients trust that you know your stuff.
Make sure you at least seem confident, your hair is nice, uniform is wrinkle free, shoes polished, breath is fresh, hope you dont smoke but if you do wash your hands and just know that smell is hard to get rid of and is not attractive during a facial.
Be yourself - you will have a special touch, a way about you that is only you that people will be attracted to.
Also keep an eye on the top estys and learn all you can from them.
And do your own research -everyday you should learn something new or have a question about something and do not just refer to your textbook,,,look at skincinc.com etc and other skincare sites, look at the webinars on ASCP.
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This was a great response. I am currently in the new, right out of school, commission-based, esty position and boy is it rough. I'm working part time there and part time at my old job so I can continue to have somewhat of a steady income.
But you are absolutely right in everything that you stated above. Thank you for the encouragement. I'm curious how it is for the OP,though. Jodi, has business increased for you?
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