Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/363800
Create your free business website! www.ascpskincare.com 13 that—with time and total dedication— your client base will eventually build (along with your income). That means putting in many hours of work at self- promotion, sales, and following up with clients and potential clients. Yes, you will be discouraged. Sure, you'll have to learn and master skills you didn't realize you needed. All estheticians have to do that. The only question is, will you? This is what divides the success stories from those who quietly disappear from the profession. Going Solo How about just starting your own practice? No one can tell you you're not qualified, and, besides, why not keep all the money from your services instead of having to split it with an employer? If you have the money to set up and get started solo, this may sound like an ideal option. And it is, so long as you enjoy, and are good at, a lot of things besides hands-on esthetics work. Marketing, money management, facilities maintenance, handling all of the reception work, bill paying, product ordering, banking, and dozens of other administrative tasks can make for a very long day while not really bringing in any income on their own. Running your own practice is a second job in itself. There are estheticians who can do this very successfully, but for others it may involve a heap of responsibilities you'd rather leave for someone else, namely, an employer. When going solo, you'll have to put up a pile of money before getting any back, and that could mean it will be a long time before you take anything home to live on. This can be one lonely and deeply discouraging experience for the upstart esthetician. Unexpected Rewards About this time, you start to think, "Wow! Was my career choice a mistake?" Look at it this way: over time, what in life is ever exactly what we thought it would be in the beginning? Ask any married couple, new parents, business owners, or veteran estheticians how their present view of those life decisions has changed since first making them. You'll hear a story of eyes that opened wider, lessons learned, difficulties that had to be overcome, and also some wonderful rewards that hadn't been expected. All of life is like this. A career in professional skin care is no different. When our dreams are tempered by reality, only then can we decide whether we have the passion and will to receive the rewards of an esthetics career. For those of us who weathered the appointment droughts, battled the hardships of small incomes, and climbed the hills of doubt that stood in our way, the effort was certainly worth it. That's why we're still in the game. Douglas Preston is a spa consultant, author, and speaker with more than 30 years of experience in the day spa and medical spa industry. He has been featured in interviews on CNN and the Fine Living Channel, and is a frequent contributor to trade publications. He is the owner of Preston Skin Care Studio and Preston Private Label Products, based in San Jose, California. Contact him at douglas@prestoninc.net. When our dreams are tempered by reality, only then can we decide whether we have the passion and will to receive the rewards of an esthetics career. " " 6 Six Strategies for Success 1. Find a job that can teach you something about this profession. Learn from it— the good, the bad, the seemingly impossible—and keep learning. 2. Stick with people who truly have something of value to offer you in your career quest: positive-minded people who do not complain, indulge in a victim mentality, or place blame. 3. Ask questions on professional social media boards or groups that can offer insights into best practices for career growth. Avoid the doubting, fearful, and negative voices you'll also find in those places. 4. Listen to clients and find out what truly pleases them. They are your only reliable sources about what is good and not so good in serving them well. 5. Allow for, and accept, mistakes. You're only human and mistakes are your best learning experiences. 6. Take it easy on yourself! You have important years ahead and you will succeed if you stay in the profession and perfect your performance. That's how we all did it. Welcome to your future in skin care!