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Comment by Gladys Allen on December 14, 2012 at 9:23pm

Hi Ladies, I am a newly licensed esthetician in FL. I am looking at a spa that is offering a 50/50 split. Sound good at first,however I have to have all my own equipment, supplies, linens and so on. The room will be shared by others, so my "things" will be there for anyone to use..... The kicker is they are doing a groupon and its for a 90 min facial, in which my part will only be 50%.
I'm thinking I could probably rent a spot and build my own clientele and not work for under minimum wage. Any comments would be appreciated.

Comment by Lisa Hewetson on December 14, 2012 at 10:17am

Hi Angela!  I am in the same boat as you.  However, I've only been in the business for two years.  I decided to open my own business this month.  My doors open on 1/2!  I'm experiencing the huge financial undertaking too!  It can be very scary...but I am having a blast at the same time.   I myself worked in a spa the first year - and I'm very glad to out for the same reason.  I also had a full time job w/stability and great benefits, but my desire to be an esthetician took me on a different path.  I have a great passion for this field!  Good luck on your adventure - cheers to 2013!

Comment by Angela Brill on December 9, 2012 at 2:26pm

Hi:  Great info.  I have been in the business for several years and just recently made the move to rent my own space.  It has been a huge financial undertaking!! Business is up/down too and I have had many meltdowns.  I am glad to be away from teh spa I was at because of the pay but there is alot of work running your own business!!  I am always out of something and trying to advertise and order brochures etc is neverending but yet I love it.  I had a full time job with benefits and great  vacation time and sometimes I miss the stability and the fact that when I am done I am done with work.  Hope to get some tips and insights here as well!! :) 

Comment by body&skincarebyenith on November 29, 2012 at 8:52am

omg Sayra, I think we are TWINS! I too have used Dr. Bronner's castile soaps since I became an Esty 15 years ago! My instructor back then was into aromatherapy and introduced me to Dr. Bronner's castile soaps and essential oils then I fall in love with all of it! I use the tea tree soap if I have break outs but usually cleanse with the lavender one. I too agree about our own skin and how we can sell our services this way... people don't believe I am close to 40, they keep asking me what do I do. My mother taught me to care for my skin since young so I followed her steps and that have helped me maintain great complexion... homecare is so much more important than anything in the world, that's why I'm so picky in regards to products. I hate most preservatives but I'm ok with some as long as they are not harmful. check out my site www.enithhernandez.net (still in the works) but I make sure to let my future clients know that I take ingredients seriously.

I will love to exchange recipes! I get my hyaluronic acid at purebulk.com

btw, cooking is just like chemistry! I have so much love for cooking too! ;)

Comment by Sayra Hill on November 28, 2012 at 8:27pm

You bet I sell my products!  WOW, wish I had your knowledge of chemistry!!!!! I am a good cook so I figured I could mix up good food for the skin. My clients always look at my skin (I would say it looks fantastic) when I talk to them about my own products.  You should get started with essential oils....they are amazing to use in your own products. I sell my creme cleanser, 4oz. for $35 in a glass pump bottle (wanting to keep plastic away from ingred.) Herbal Cleanser is $20, Rose Serum$38 and a powedered mask for $20....I share with clients to mix the Hydro. sunscreen with my serum before applying. The lash enhancer is wonderful and I sell it slower because of the price but it does last a pretty long time.  My clients are more mature so they worry about their thinning lashes and brows.  The natural vegie lash dye works ok with the lash product.  I checked with the company to make sure. We could share recipes but I may sell on line some day.  There are plenty of books and I use wonderful aloe vera gel in some of my own products along with Dr. Brunners castile soap in the herbal cleanser.  I can let you know of the books to start reading . Let me know if you want the titles and authors. I have not used the hyaluronic acid yet but want to.  Where do you order yours? Wow, this is so great to connect with you!

Comment by body&skincarebyenith on November 28, 2012 at 6:00pm

oy Sayra! I was hoping *you* would answer this question! LOL you are so inspirational! 

I'm leaning to make my own... my major is biology and I'm so into the chemistry part of making my own skin care line to use in my own clients. So far I have made vitamin c serum, hyaluronic acid and mineral powders. Love the end results!! 

I too love Hydropeptide sunscreen!!! I actually have samples from them but I find them a bit expensive to resale. no? I kind of love skin scripts a lot and I've been testing their samples which I'm loving right now.  

I noticed that you mix and match brands, I think (by using my chemistry brain) I can do the same. I fall in love with 3 lines at the IECSC show but I'm overwhelmed with every one of them. Thankfully none of them require a min order, not even initially.   

And I LOVE Thayers toners! :) 

So, do you resale your homemade artisan products to your clients?

Comment by Sayra Hill on November 28, 2012 at 5:28pm

I started out with products produced through the school I attended.  They were very nice and I still sell some today but make my own 2 kinds of cleansers, one for oily skin and the other for mature skin. You can order bottles, pumps and ingred. & books to make your own. I traded for labels made by a professional graphic artist.  She came for facials as payment so I did not have to put any money out!  I carry lactic and glycolic gels, a marine silk serum and a mascara remover that I use in my practice and for clients to purchase that are all made through my school, Vera Botania line at the Euro Institute of Skin Care in Renton, Washington.  I carry and use Hydropeptide sun screen, eye cream, lash enhanser. They are mentioned at Truthinaging.com. Give Hydropeptide a call and tell them you want to try their products. They are in Washington state and have won awards for their line.  I have never made huge orders and would recommend you try your own skin first on products so that you can truly tell clients how much you like using them. I use a Clarisonic Brush and sell them to costumers. I have had all kinds of client's with skin issues, you name it, and use natural masks designed with ingred. for the type of skin, ordering clays, aloe vera gels, Dr. Thayers toners (the scents are divine), essential oils for the skin (get a good book for skin types and using essential oils and masks).  The company I order ingred. from is Frontier Natural Products for supplies, wholesale.  Go to the library and find books on esential oils and treating the skin using natural ingred.  There are some wonderful books to help you!  I still search for new ones and have a small library of my own with great recipes for skin care. Hope this helps you!

Comment by body&skincarebyenith on November 28, 2012 at 4:37pm

I have a question in regards to a product line and a newbie in the biz. When you first started your business, did you get all types: oily, combo, sensitive, dry, etc. or did you just pick one skin type then went from there? I'm so overwhelmed since I'm just a little gal with a little budget. I'm planning to go mobile but I'm still in the process of getting the bed and a multi-function portable equipment.

Any ideas/tips are appreciated!

Comment by Deborah Bonjouklian on November 21, 2012 at 1:54pm

Hi, I'll share my first 2 years of experience starting a new career in esthetics. I was fortunate to apprentice with a successful estho in her spa, so I learned about business practices as well as, esthetics. This went on for 3 days a week for 4 months and was a great opportunity. Afterwards, I worked at a couple of salons with spas but was dissatisfied with the work - 90% of the services were for waxing. I wanted to do skin care so opted out to create my own esthetics practice. I do this part time (or less), and have 10 billable hours a month starting with nothing. It's not much but I am providing an excellent service to a select group of women which is perfect! I am adding microcurrent to my menu based on knowing that my target client demographic wants it and can pay for it. When I can devote more timed to my business, I know now what direction to head in. Starting out I took a guess at what to offer on my service menu,marketing, etc. You have to keep thinking about how you want your business to look and feel and it will start to evolve in that direction. I have a long way to go in my personal development in esthetics, but I am able to help others along the way and that is very self-fulfilling.

Comment by Jo Ann Irwin Diaz on November 21, 2012 at 1:09pm

Sheila, 

I had the same hair-pulling experience so it is good to know I am not alone. I'm just getting over the hump to being somewhat busy but there were days when I had a meltdown!! (my poor husband....!)

Florida is extremely seasonal and the fact that you do have regular clients speaks to your expertise. I can tell by your profile picture that you are a positive,go-getter type and that's something that nobody can teach you. That's a great start....

Anytime there is a free marketing class or webinar, you can usually get a tip or two to use right away. I got better reception in the salon when I changed my brochures from spa-type images to pictures of beautiful older women. That is my most common client and I guess they identified better to that.

Pace yourself- I am hearing that it takes 2 years to build a solid clientele and you don't want to burn out. If you ever get down my way, look me up- I'm in Delray Beach.

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