Grow Your Esthetics Biz -Without Hiring a New Esthetician
I was the girl in high school that preferred working alone on projects. There were up sides and down sides to my propensity to work alone and eventually I did learn to embrace and enjoy a well-matched collaboration. In my treatment room however I still enjoy working alone and so do lots of other estheticians. In the solitude of a quiet intimate space with only one individual to engage with clients may open up more which in turn helps them to develop a deeper relationship with their skin advisor.
There are many paths to growth as a solo esthetician and the road to expansion may not mean investing in a larger space and growing your team. God may be calling you to expand in a different way and one that does not include a Human Resources team. Here are a few ideas to consider for growing your esthetics business without hiring another esthetician.
Online Retail Store
Opening or expanding your own online retail store is one way to expand your financial footprint and grow. There are tons of products that clients want. The biggest barrier with the online skincare market is competition. Big box retailers are eating up the marketplace which leaves smaller businesses in the dust. One way to address this is by focusing on a niche, clearly defining it, and then carefully spending time matching products with your store. It may be a pretty hefty time investment up front but if you do the work up front you can really win with your very own online store.
Education
The options here run the gammet from teaching, creating pintables, speaking, and sponsoring small workshops for other estheticians. Our field is constantly evolving and there will always be a need for education. The key to success if you choose to expand through education is to first establish if teaching is an actual strength for you (ask yourself for example do you have patience? Can you teach?) next, do a little topic research, then develop your lesson plan, and finally, decide on a delivery format. There are lots of delivery formats and some are not everyone especially if you are not very tech savy. Each format requires a unique set of skills for the teacher to be effective in delivering there content.
Add a New Skill
Add a specialty niche to your existing skill set. There are multiple sub-specialties that complement the work we do as estheticians. Adding a new skill that you enjoy and that also plays on your strengths can help expand your service menu and audience. The key here is to understand your strengths and then identify potential matches that compliment them. You also want to look at certifications which can set you a part from others doing the same work. Before signing up for a course or certification that matches your budget and “seems” interesting. Really take the time to think things through and ask yourself: Is this something that I want to do and can commit to?
Writing
This list would’nt be list if writing were not on it. For years I wrote for publications as an additional means to grow my reputation in the esthetics industry, honor one of the talents that God had placed in my life, and improve my financial bottom line. Writing is very freeing for me; I am also effective at it. If you are considering writing here is a few tips that helped me: 1. Learn your niche 2. Develop your style. 3. Guest post 4. Keep a list of articles, topics and ideas you care about handy. 5. Get out there and pitch your ideas.
Consulting
I have been hired for consulting jobs based on my work as a writer, industry experience, education, being proactive, and God. The number of individuals wanting to create a skincare line or expand their footprint in the beauty industry is vast. A lot of companies and individuals need help. and if you have the talent you can help them! I do think to be effective in this area you should have at least 5+ years of industry expereince, have well documented expertise, and a carefully crafted resume. In addition to understanding what you offer it is equally important to know what you do not do for example I am not a cosmetic chemist. I can connect my clients with some of the best in the industry which is why they hire me, and while I can read an ingredient deck with precision I am not a cosmetic chemist and you will pay extra for that service if you choose to work with me.
These are just a few ways to grow your esthetics business, there are many other ways that dont involve the usuals stints you see on the internet and instagram. When it comes to deciding which one if any is right for you prayer and discernment are key. I will be back with more on this topic but in the meantime take care and have a great day!