Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Linda Jordin on April 15, 2013 at 4:56pm

Hi Sharon,

I am in Lake Stevens, WA and work for a salon as the only esthetician. I am pretty new as I received my license one year ago and have only been working as an esty since July. I am trying hard to build a clientelle and would love to meet and bounce ideas.

Permalink Reply by Shannon Lucas on April 15, 2013 at 5:38pm

Hi Linda,

I would love to meet you as well I have yet to get any clients still working on getting my rooms set up. However I do hope to get some soon I am so scared. I wish I could have gotten into a salon for a bit first

but here I am on my own.

My schedule is still pretty open so let me know a day and time we could meet and maybe we could meet 1/2 somewhere?  looking at the map Edmonds would be about 1/2 I could hop the ferry and meet somewhere there?

Permalink Reply by Jessica on May 7, 2013 at 6:22pm

  Hello!

   I'm looking for local estheticians too!  I'd love to do trades and just support one another. I've been an esthetician for about 4 years working up in Ferndale. I love my job and want to be around others like me who love it too :)   -Jessica

Permalink Reply by Shannon Lucas on May 8, 2013 at 11:31am

HI Jessica, I am so excited to get to meet some other local estheticians down here in Silverdale there doesn't seem to be that many and still I am struggling to get clients in the door. I am planning an grand opening mid June I hope. Do you work on your own or in a spa? - Shannon

Permalink Reply by Linda Jordin on May 9, 2013 at 11:18pm

Jessica, Do you get a lot of repeat customers working in a casino?

Permalink Reply by Linda Jordin on May 8, 2013 at 12:01pm

I'm struggling to get clients too. I recently was given an idea to get people in the door so I'm going to be putting it in place soon.
Also, waxing. I love waxing and want to do male Brazilians, but have not done one. I've seen a video, but that's it. I would like hands on practice with guidance. Have either of you done one?

Permalink Reply by Shannon Lucas on May 8, 2013 at 1:40pm

Hi Linda, I have not done a male Brazilian yet either and my only female so far was my best friend which I was happy about took a lot of stress off. I have watched the video on males as well still looked a little scary to me. Would care to share what you are going to do to try and get people in? I thought I was in a great location right above a hair salon where they do no waxing and across parking lot from a nail salon and still nothing I have gone and introduced myself left flyers and still nothing> I know it has only been a month but I was hoping for so much more. I am meeting with a Bioelements rep tomorrow and I know if you partner with them they list you on their web site as a partner. I am hoping that will help Thanks for sharing and hope whatever you are planning works out for you.

Permalink Reply by Linda Jordin on May 8, 2013 at 2:24pm

Bioelements is a good product. I used it in school and at home. I bought the $599 kit. That won't put you on their website.

Permalink Reply by Linda Jordin on May 8, 2013 at 2:42pm

I'm going to a coffee house in town. Offering free facial to employees. Putting a fish bowl in there with paper people can put their name and # on to raffle for a facial. Also my cards will be there for people that say waxing too. My hope is the baristas will rave about their facial and give me referrals. You could give free facials to the cosmos and nail techs.

Permalink Reply by Shannon Lucas on May 8, 2013 at 2:53pm

Great idea Linda I might have to try that there is also a little bakery coffee place down the road from me. I can't wait to hear how that works for you. Who wouldn't want a free facial! Thanks for sharing.

Permalink Reply by ROSEMARY GRIESER on May 10, 2013 at 9:35am

Shannon, I was in your shoes back in 2008.  I started out in a salon that was rather far away from home and gradually worked at getting closer to home.  Did I feel alone in m journey?  Very much so.  I came across estheticians who considered me a threat to taking an appointment or 2 away from them but I also made some good friends but it took time.  I now work at a studio that only offers skin care, waxing, massage and electrolysis.  But it took me awhile to get there.  I also am the owner of Rosie's Skin Care Services, which is a wax and waxing supply distributorship.  I love the hands on but I also love encouraging and learning from the waxing and skin care professionals I come into contact with.  I have a few suggestions.  Don't give anything away for free.  Of course, who would not love a free facial.  Who would not love a free anything??  But our rent, schooling, product all costs money.  If anything, offer a nice discount, offer a 2 facial package discount, which guarantees they will be back for a 2nd service.  Offer a complimentary upgrade  to an existing service but they have to pay something.  Offer a student discount of 10%.  Offer a re-booking discount.  Join a women's group that may be part of your town's local chamber of commerce.  Go to where those like-minded people are and in your case that is other estheticians.  I am not just touting my event this June but in a way I am.  We can travel to Las Vegas, Miami, Dallas, New York, etc to get pumped up about our profession  but again that all costs a lot of money to travel and takes a lot of time.  That is one reason I have created The Pacific Northwest Waxing Extravaganza.  Along with learning and listening to speakers you will be meeting other estheticians and networking face to face.  I have been to all 3 of the Northern California Wax Shows and every time I learn something new and meet someone new.  My Extravaganza is based on that show.  I saw this type of thing was missing out here and am working at filling that void.  Yes, it's small but it's more intimate and it's a great thing to take advantage of.  Anyway, good luck, chin up and hang in there. 

Permalink Reply by Tamara Anderson on May 15, 2014 at 9:46am

Hi  Shannon, I can relate to how you are feeling.  When I was first starting out I was in a small town and most of the estheticians didn't want to network for fear of sharing thier trade business secrets.  Competition in this industry is tough but it can work for you. Make you better!  I loved sharing and helping what worked and what hasn't worked for me.  That is one reason why my business motto is "Knowledge not shared is knowledge wasted!" I train and certify estheticians in Professional Body Sugaring. 

I am located in North Bend, WA.  I love the Silverdale area!  I love Hood Canal and travel over from time to time.

You can call me and I would be happy to talk and bounce ideas off anytime!  I can give you a couple of great tips to market your skin care business in Silverdale and set it apart from any other!  Very fast! : You phone will start ringing!  Mine did!  :-)

Tamara

Tamara's Sugar

425-623-0442