Starting Small

I've recently decided to start doing aesthetics indpendently. I plan to rent a room in a medical building or established salon, working as my own seperate business instead of being employed by them. I am in a fairly competetive market and don't have any clientel in this area since I haven't been working as an aesthetician since I moved here. I have alot of great advertising and networking ideas, but I'd like some imput from someone who's done this before. Just how hard is it to build up clientel in a new area while working independently, and what have you done to get started and make a successful aesthetics business? Once my clientel builds I'll hopefully move to a bigger space and hire some other people aswell, but I think I should start small.

have you considered doing consultant work. if interested please contact me via e-mail at denisebr1@att.net.

denise in Brooklyn, New York said: have you considered doing consultant work. if interested please contact me via e-mail at denisebr1@att.net.

I too am planning to open my business within a new spa that offers spray tanning, hair and nails in a open market location. I will be finishing school w/in the month and am feeling overwhelmed with how to pick product, what services to offer up front, how many towels and sheets to purchase. I have all kinds of lists but seem to be spinning my wheels.
Thanks for any help
Ruby

Ruby in Beaverton, Oregon said: I too am planning to open my business within a new spa that offers spray tanning, hair and nails in a open market location. I will be finishing school w/in the month and am feeling overwhelmed with how to pick product, what services to offer up front, how many towels and sheets to purchase. I have all kinds of lists but seem to be spinning my wheels.
Thanks for any help
Ruby

I just wanted to direct you to another forum for licensed estheticians that can really help you get started and answer alot of your questions. It has helped me trememdously get my business going with lots of information and ideas. Go to spabizboard.com.
Irene aka (Spajunkie)

i wouldnt go independant without a clientele.. unless you can stay afloat for at least a year making almost no money. harder than u could ever think

Ruby in Beaverton, Oregon said: I too am planning to open my business within a new spa that offers spray tanning, hair and nails in a open market location. I will be finishing school w/in the month and am feeling overwhelmed with how to pick product, what services to offer up front, how many towels and sheets to purchase. I have all kinds of lists but seem to be spinning my wheels.
Thanks for any help
Ruby

Hi i m aesthetician i own small beautiful spa in florida for sale you are interested.

Jill said: I've recently decided to start doing aesthetics indpendently. I plan to rent a room in a medical building or established salon, working as my own seperate business instead of being employed by them. I am in a fairly competetive market and don't have any clientel in this area since I haven't been working as an aesthetician since I moved here. I have alot of great advertising and networking ideas, but I'd like some imput from someone who's done this before. Just how hard is it to build up clientel in a new area while working independently, and what have you done to get started and make a successful aesthetics business? Once my clientel builds I'll hopefully move to a bigger space and hire some other people aswell, but I think I should start small.

i own smal spa in florida is for sale if you are interested.

I live in Canada so Florida would be a pretty long commute to get to work! haha Thanks though!

Going independent without a clientele is very hard, unless the people in your office are willingly to help you built your clientel.

8 months ago I decided to rent a room in a Salon (without any clientele) and it was hard. Luckily the owner (who is a manicurist) had a establish clientele and she refered most of her client to me. I spend a good amount of money advertising online and newspaper but I didnt get much of out it. Most of my clientele are word or mouth.

So my only advice for you is try it out for three months, see how it goes. But make sure that the rent is resonable and you are not losing money.

Alright I hope this helped you a bit. Good luck with everything

Irene in Fort Worth, Texas said: I just wanted to direct you to another forum for licensed estheticians that can really help you get started and answer alot of your questions. It has helped me trememdously get my business going with lots of information and ideas. Go to spabizboard.com.
Irene aka (Spajunkie)

seems like a great forum, this is what I've been looking for! Thanks -Jill

Esthetician in Schaumburg, Illinois said: Keep dreaming Dolly, and go back to High School, you could make more money there! Just keep shedding your cells! LOL*** Keep on shopping and never give up hope!! If you feel bad buy a cute Bikkini!! Just ask Skipper for help if you get lost she is fresh sometimes! LOL!! ******

XOXOXO
Clueless

I realize it would be difficult to start up, but this comment seems rude and unnecessary. I'm not some high school drop out beauty school bimbo. I'm a highly trained and experienced professional who is looking for imput from other professionals. I appreciate constructive criticism, that is why I posted my situation, but not when it's put forth in a rude and degrading manner.

Have a sense of Humour during these rough times, would YOU? HUmour is Good for you !

I have just graduated also, and have gotten my medical aesthetician certification as well. I have found it very difficult to find and kind of aesthetician job in the dallas/fort worth area that I live in. It seems that there are a lot of graduates but very few jobs. I prefer the medical aesthetician field but would consider any good job at this point. Does anyone have any good advise? I would really appreciate helpful suggestions as have tried all that I can think of.

Your comments do not project professionalism.
This is to help others in the industry, If you have something to offer others keep it professional and helpful.

Yvette said: Your comments do not project professionalism.
This is to help others in the industry, If you have something to offer others keep it professional and helpful.

this is for the esthetician in schaumbburg, Ill

Yvette can you please learn how to spell? Being a professional means knowing how to communicate via the computer to whom you are speaking to appropriately by using the proper spellings of all names and/or titles. Humour is stress-relieving and therapuetic, maybe you can learn something before you judge what is wrong/right in the Esthetic Industry. It sounds like you need to update your Continuing education.

D2, Where did you get your medical esthetics certification? I've had my Esthetician license for about a year now and have been looking to go medical so that I can work in an office environment (dermatologist, cosmetic surgeon, etc.). If you would let me know, I would appreciate it. Thanks!

I graduated from esthetician school in 2000. I met a plastic surgeon while doing my internship. I asked him could I study under him until I graduated. I asked him could I continue to learn from him after school and worked for him for free for 6 months. I just kept my regular job until he offered me a job. I ended up working for him 4 years and he taught me everything about skincare and the medical side of things. I hope this has answered your question thoroughly, if not, please reply if you need more information.

I have such a passion for skincare and I cannot find a job. I am getting discouraged. I really want to work in the medical community....med spa's, Dermatologist's office or Plastic Surgeon. Does anyone have any ideas?

JoElle in Chicago, Illinois said: I graduated from esthetician school in 2000. I met a plastic surgeon while doing my internship. I asked him could I study under him until I graduated. I asked him could I continue to learn from him after school and worked for him for free for 6 months. I just kept my regular job until he offered me a job. I ended up working for him 4 years and he taught me everything about skincare and the medical side of things. I hope this has answered your question thoroughly, if not, please reply if you need more information.

I was thinking of doing what you did, work for free with a doctor and stay there till they offer me a job!!

Thanks Elle

This might be a way into the medical esthetics world. Great idea.

I agree that it is very difficult to build up a clientele. It's not impossible, but it is time consuming and you may well not make any money for a long time. It is a good idea to have a part-time job and then maybe get into developing your own thing 1-2 days a week, so you can survive! It's also a really good idea to get in with a group of people who are willing and able to promote you.

Starting small? HA! try microscopic! I'm still in school right now, and I overhear my classmates talking all about the shows they're going to in Las Vegas, their new MAC brush cleaner, putting in $3,000 to start up with Pevonia, how great the peels that they got from ebay for $47 worked, and how they're buying a microcurrent machine and a table when they graduate and well....it makes me want to scream!! I barely found a way to convince my dad to pay for school, and I'm lucky if i can afford a banana off the lunch truck every day. How in God's name is any 22 yr. old, living on her own supposed to even do this? It is extremely scary and discouraging. I feel like I'm just going to get this lisence, but then if I can't buy my own product and all that, I'm just going to end up a waitress with a fancy $12,000 piece of paper saying I know about skin. errrg.

any response would help. <3m

Maggie, you don't have to run out and open a business first thing, don't stress yourself out! It is a great idea to work for someone else for a while so you can get experience, get comfortable, and make a wage while you're at it. Some estheticians never open up their own place, and there is nothing wrong with that. Why not learn the ins and outs of the biz before deciding whether or not you want to go out on your own one day? Good luck to you!

Has anyone ever thought of working overseas or for a cruise ship? It's the best way to go!!!

Colleen2 in Ft. Worth-I went to the Dallas Center for Advanced Medical Aesthetics by Dr. Fathi G. Fam. I called Austin to check and make sure that he was certified and had no complaints or problems reported against his business. He has a very good reputation and is well thought of in the industry. His phone number is 972-380-1510. I highly recommend the course.

To everyone-I have my esthetician license, medical aesthetician certification, and am considering getting my massage license to give me multiple job opportunities, preferably doctor's offices. I would like your opinions on this. Thanks.

D2 in denton, Texas said: Colleen2 in Ft. Worth-I went to the Dallas Center for Advanced Medical Aesthetics by Dr. Fathi G. Fam. I called Austin to check and make sure that he was certified and had no complaints or problems reported against his business. He has a very good reputation and is well thought of in the industry. His phone number is 972-380-1510. I highly recommend the course.

To everyone-I have my esthetician license, medical aesthetician certification, and am considering getting my massage license to give me multiple job opportunities, preferably doctor's offices. I would like your opinions on this. Thanks.

I am familiar with Dallas Center for Advanced Medical Aesthetics. I would recommend getting the massage license as well.

Jeff

maggie the zit popper in Bakersfield, California said: Starting small? HA! try microscopic! I'm still in school right now, and I overhear my classmates talking all about the shows they're going to in Las Vegas, their new MAC brush cleaner, putting in $3,000 to start up with Pevonia, how great the peels that they got from ebay for $47 worked, and how they're buying a microcurrent machine and a table when they graduate and well....it makes me want to scream!! I barely found a way to convince my dad to pay for school, and I'm lucky if i can afford a banana off the lunch truck every day. How in God's name is any 22 yr. old, living on her own supposed to even do this? It is extremely scary and discouraging. I feel like I'm just going to get this lisence, but then if I can't buy my own product and all that, I'm just going to end up a waitress with a fancy $12,000 piece of paper saying I know about skin. errrg.

any response would help. <3m

Maggie, I hear you. Know that you are not alone. I hear this from many. I have been in this industry for over 40 years. It won't be easy BUT you can do it. Trust me. There are many ways to skin a cat. But an important key is attitude.

DO YOU WANT TO DO THIS?

Jill said: I've recently decided to start doing aesthetics indpendently. I plan to rent a room in a medical building or established salon, working as my own seperate business instead of being employed by them. I am in a fairly competetive market and don't have any clientel in this area since I haven't been working as an aesthetician since I moved here. I have alot of great advertising and networking ideas, but I'd like some imput from someone who's done this before. Just how hard is it to build up clientel in a new area while working independently, and what have you done to get started and make a successful aesthetics business? Once my clientel builds I'll hopefully move to a bigger space and hire some other people aswell, but I think I should start small.

I did this and started small but we had a fitness center with very influential customers who were mainly business owners. I would introduce yourself to people in highly visible careers like business owners of real estate businesses or connect yourself with a fitness center and give discounts to members

I've been a licensed esthetician since 2005, i've worked immediatley thereafter at a spa that i've learned a few things from. At the end of the day the spa closed dwn, and i had went to work for American Laser Center in nYc. What a difference crossing the Hudson was for me! The hustle, grind and energy is awesome! What a difference a 25 minute commute is!
N-E who- i eventually left (that company too money hungry & i didn't 100% believe that laser removal is for "all" ethnicity's (as they claim that they are)...
At the end of the day like most of y'all, i love the skin/makeup/sales enviornment. After I left American Laser late September, i found myself looking hard for spa jobs. I didn't want to settle and work like a dog, only to get 50/50- or worse 40/60%. So i went back to a 9-5 job.. I have business cards, and attend makeup classes in NYC as much as I can...
I think the best thing to advice wise-would be to start something small @ home. Realizing everyone can't know where you live-start with the people you know-and have someone home while the svs are performed(just in case)..Although, i think a majority of americans aren't working in their field, that doesn't mean that you give up on your dream! I'm not!
I have a facial bed, loupe and steamer-..I get discounts with major skincare lines like Avance in Fairlawn, NJ-and from Emiliani's here in NJ.
So their are many ways to still get money, you just can't over analyze what you can't control...
Alot of employer's are wayy to picky..They want you to be avail all w/e-only to not properly compensate for time & money..
Apply for a business license and go from there-do all research!
Good Luck to All..............
Oh i last thing if you live near a major city(like I do) try to go to all/any events that have large crowds ex: expo's, music events, art shows, and remember you are your representative-so stay looking fly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jeff B in Dallas, Texas said: There are many ways to skin a cat. QUOTE]

Jeff - I can't believe you of all people said this!!

iknowskincarewell in Roselle Park, New Jersey said: I think the best thing to advice wise-would be to start something small @ home.

Before doing this make sure that your State Board permits home based businesses, and also that your location has the appropriate zoning.

Interested Observer in California said:

And who is it in California who knows that I am an animal lover? I think I was really tired when I typed that. LOL

Sorry Lizzy, Cal, Tiger, Pepper, Sammy, Grey and the rest!

No cat skinning allowed! I just mean the meaning.

Irene in Fort Worth, Texas said: I just wanted to direct you to another forum for licensed estheticians that can really help you get started and answer alot of your questions. It has helped me trememdously get my business going with lots of information and ideas. Go to spabizboard.com.
Irene aka (Spajunkie)

SPAJUNKIE.....I checked this site out and it looks very interesting. Am I reading it correctly that there is a fee to join? If so, is worth every penny??? MayBee

I went to the int. congress of esthetics in Dallas and met Dr. Fam. I really want to take the medical certification classes however...I am broke from all of the money I have invested lately. Does anyone know of any grants or loans for estheticians. I highly doubt that they are out there but I thought I would see what you all thought. I know about Fanny Mae but I am not sure it would cover this. I asked the school to see if they had financing, but unfortunately they don't.

MayBee, (Southern NH)--FOR SPAJUNKIE-- said: SPAJUNKIE.....I checked this site out and it looks very interesting. Am I reading it correctly that there is a fee to join? If so, is worth every penny??? MayBee

You can also try:

groups.msn.com/estheticiantoesthetician

groups.msn.com/AEstheticianGroup

www.spaboard.com/

All of these are free.

Amanda in Austin, Texas said: I went to the int. congress of esthetics in Dallas and met Dr. Fam. I really want to take the medical certification classes however...I am broke from all of the money I have invested lately. Does anyone know of any grants or loans for estheticians. I highly doubt that they are out there but I thought I would see what you all thought. I know about Fanny Mae but I am not sure it would cover this. I asked the school to see if they had financing, but unfortunately they don't.

You can also go onto a couple of the free boards above and ask about Tino Lerma's Clinical/Medical Esthetics DVDs. Since you are in Texas he is well known. He was the first Licensed Esthetic Instructor in Texas and now travels and teaches internationally .

Thanks Jeff, I will check that out.

Jeff, Thank you very much. I have been looking for something like this.

MayBee in Southern, New Hampshire said: Jeff, Thank you very much. I have been looking for something like this.

I forgot. You can see Tino Introducing himself at:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5hD4elmVL0

Jeff

Who is Tino??

MayBee in Southern, New Hampshire said: Who is Tino??

The link above will tell you all about him. There are also some other clips including extractions, chemical peels and microdermabrasion.

To be upfront and give full discloser let me say that I produced the DVD's so I suggest you check them out and talk to people who have them.

Those who actually attended this 150 hour class paid about $3,500. for the class. The 19 hours of DVD are around $800.00 but even less. They are also sold by sets to allow those who can not afford buying all of them at the same time. Whether or not you get all of them at once or by the set, I strongly recommend that you master each set before moving on to the next... especially the first.

In addition to estheticians who attended, this particular class consisted of RN's, 2 Licensed Esthetic Instructors and an MDA manufacturer.

For those of you who are going to the Vegas Conference, you will get the opportunity to meet him. It is the only show that he appears at in the US.

There are drawbacks and benefits of this type of training. DVD's don't give you the opportunity to perform practicals. But it gives you the opportunity to take it over and over again (where the attendees didn't have that opportunity). Those who attended this one got the DVD's just to review.

Although actually attending this class would be the best. But for those who can not attend because of locality or money, this is the next best thing.

Jeff

Plus, here is an interesting extraction video clip. But we don't tell how it's done yet.

Jeff

Jeff B in Dallas, Texas said: Plus, here is an interesting extraction video clip. But we don't tell how it's done yet.

Jeff

Sorry, forgot the link:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUZaI5iyP3o

Now, that was interesting. Only esthetician's have the stomach for that. Where are the gloves????

MayBee in Southern, New Hampshire said: Now, that was interesting. Only esthetician's have the stomach for that. Where are the gloves????

I don't understand the question.

Sorry, I was saying it kind of jokingly. The extractions were being done with no gloves on.

I don't know what video you were watching, but ALL extractions were performed by Mr. Lerma gloved.

Perhaps y0u watched one of the other ones on the site.

Jeff

Jeff, I have never seen You Tube before so you might be right.

Just curious, I just started working as an esthetician in a med spa & I'm wondering if I'm being compensated competitively for this position. It is an hourly position @20 plus gratuity. Not all clients/patients tip since it's in a dr.'s office. Should I be getting commission? Am I selling myself short? Thanks for any feedback