Ask An Esthetician: How To Build Clientele
Are you considering becoming a beautician? Or, if you've already started your career, are you struggling to build your clientele? We decided to ask a trained beautician to pull the veil over the industry. Our very own Nadira Kavanagh worked as a beautician for four years before becoming product support officer. has been Eminence organic skin care. We bombarded them with questions about how to achieve a successful career in aesthetics.
How did you become a beautician?
When I was nine years old, I thought about becoming a beautician. My godmother had her own business, a home spa for clients, friends, and family. The opportunity to grow up watching facials being performed and playing around with skin care products has allowed me to develop a great passion for the industry that became my career.
Working with an Eminence Spa partner opened my eyes to the natural and innovative products on the market today. That piqued my curiosity about Eminence, and all I wanted was to be on the product side of the industry. Today I work as an Eminence Organics Product Support Representative, train and provide customer service for retail customers and spa partners. It is so rewarding to know that you work for a company with amazing ethics and values that align with your own.
What are the first steps you should take as a budding beautician?
I would recommend looking for available aesthetic programs in your area. Ask the schools about their aesthetic programs, how their programs will be conducted, and what their offerings will be. Make sure the curriculum and schedule suit your interests, lifestyle, and goals. Then start your knowledge base with the essentials in aesthetics and work your way up to the specialization that interests you. Dermaplaning is an example of a specialization.
When deciding which type of job to pursue, consider the typical working hours you would sign up for – the positions are typically not nine to five, and your hours can often be late. Usually, you can expect to work most evenings and weekends too.
How do you build loyal customers?
Building customer loyalty can be a challenge. However, finding creative ways to provide good service to a customer can be seamless. Depending on the practices in your spa, you might want to offer first-time customers a business card and a discount on their next service. A discount promotion encourages repeat customers and also gives you the opportunity to build an ongoing relationship with your customer.
Going beyond that for your customer can make the biggest difference in customer loyalty. If you experience downtime during a service (tinting, facials, eyelash extensions, etc.), take the time to schedule a hand massage, scalp massage, or paraffin bath during the service. For example, if you're doing a pedicure and discover that your client has stray hair on their feet, smile and offer to offer a free toe wax. The more care you show, the more you gain in customer satisfaction.
Working as a beautician is about relationship building, so you never want to start off your relationship with your new client on the wrong foot. So it is part of your job to read the customer and their sentiment. Usually people come to spas to rest, relax, and pamper themselves. Pay attention to their body language to see if they welcome small talk or not. Sometimes customers may want to switch off and not chat while on duty, and that's fine too. Just follow their lead and make sure you provide the environment they are looking for.
What would you like to know before becoming a beautician?
Depending on your role in this industry, doing hands-on work in this area can sometimes be exhausting. When you have three back-to-back massages for an hour you can feel it. While hard work can be fulfilling and exciting, you should be aware of when your own body needs care. You don't want to pull muscle or take the risk of any other type of physical harm. Long-term neglect of your body can even lead to undesirable conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.
We are often so busy taking care of others that we neglect ourselves in the process. Book massages or acupuncture, stretch, take a bath, and do whatever is good for your body and refreshed. To do your best, you have to feel your best!
What is the best thing about being a beautician?
I'm sure this answer may vary from person to person, but for myself I would say that it sees transformations in your work. One moment that really impressed me was with a client who was going through a very difficult time in her personal life. She was a regular customer of mine who came for a massage once a month.
During one of her massage sessions, I noticed that she was crying. A deep tissue massage can cause a large emotional release of negative emotions that have been stored in the body for years. This was an enlightening moment for me because I knew then that I was helping her ground herself and find peace. This massage gave her a chance to let go of some of the pain and tension that she was holding onto, and that alone meant the world to me.
When you see that your customers are happy and satisfied with their service, you can be proud of your work. It is also amazing to see how they recognize your touch and care in your service and your person.
What steps are you taking to become a beautician or attract more clients? Let us know in the comments below or on social media. If you are interested in becoming an Eminence Organics Spa Affiliate, here's how you can work with us.