Renew Magazine - July/August 2008 - (Page 46)

secrets of the solo esthetician Rdiana donovan Serenity at The Wellness Center Boca Raton, FL I thought I wanted to be a hairdresser like my sister, so I shampooed hair at the salon where she worked. However, being at the salon opened other doors for me, and soon I realized that I’d rather work in skin care. I enrolled in school to become an esthetician and nail technician while continuing to work at my sister’s salon. That was 10 years ago. When I left school, I went to work for a salon/spa with two locations and learned a lot from a doctor who was on staﬀ there. Next I moved on to work with another spa owner who also taught me a lot about the industry. This was two hours from my previous location, so I really had to start over. There were days I had only one client! It was tough, but little by little I built a client base. When my new owner relocated to Georgia, I took a position with an esthetician who rented space in a doctor’s oﬃce. Unfortunately, not long afterward, she died. At this point, having inherited clients from both the esthetician who relocated and the one who died, I felt conﬁdent enough to go out on my own. So ever since then, I’ve been renting space upstairs from a chiropractor’s oﬃce. I do facials, mani-pedis, waxing and eyelash extensions. I’ve built my clientele almost entirely from referrals. My clients and I truly love each other; they’re not just clients, but friends who have become part of my life. They’re very good to me and take every opportunity to send me new clients. In addition, the doctor downstairs refers clients. It’s funny, because a lot of people who knew me worried about whether I could make it on my own. I had my doubts as well! Coming up with the rent, replacing inventory—it’s all more challenging than going to work and putting your commission in your pocket. But it’s been great. I can’t wait to get to work everyday, and my business has expanded so much that I have another esthetician working full-time for me. I don’t know why I waited as long as I did to go solo. Contrary to what people might think, I have more time for my personal life now that I have my own business, because I work only by appointment and don’t have to sit around hoping for walk-ins. I’ve structured my business so that I don’t work on Sundays and Mondays, and on other days if I’m ﬁnished early I just go home. I have a daughter and am currently pregnant and not feeling so great, but my clients are very understanding if I have to cancel an appointment. I do my own books, although an accountant helps me with my taxes. My husband has been supportive and helps me with designing my brochures, business cards and menus. I sell a lot of retail, but I’m not pushy. By working with several diﬀerent estheticians and doctors, I became comfortable with a variety of product lines. My major line is Sothys; I also like an organic line called A Natural Diﬀerence and a pharmaceutical line targeted to doctors. Clients appreciate that they can purchase the products I use here and continue the treatment results at home. I’ve been very lucky. I met the right people who helped me out. I’m trying to pay it back by mentoring a new esthetician who works about a mile from me. 46 renewprofessional.com july/august 2008 http://renewprofessional.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Renew Magazine - July/August 2008

Renew- July/August 2008 Contents Editor's Letter Renew Face/Body/Mind/Spirit Reflect Editor's Picks Your Business Spa Spotlight Decor Ultimate Business Boosters Role Models Secrets of the Solo Esthetician Green Science Solutions Inside Ingredients

Renew Magazine - July/August 2008

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