Can Estheticians Make Money?

If you are an Esthetician I am sure you have wondered just how on earth you are going to earn enough to live on, and then your thoughts drift to that big question; can an Esthetician earn 6 figures, and eventually become a millionaire? The answer, fortunately, is yes. But, it is not as simple as going to college and then commanding a high salary from an employer. That is the way many lawyer's start out, but, in this less structured profession it will take a savvy Esty to earn a handsome living in this field, but, don't despair, you can actually make a concrete decision now to actually enjoy your journey, and get the most our of your license.

If you are brand new, I highly suggest starting with a big name place such as, European Wax Center, Massage Envy, Massage Heights, or whatever your local big name salons are available. They will not pay you $30 per hour, but you will gain confidence with the sheer volume of clients they hand you, and this is the time to plan out your own spa ideas. Yes, you can create a home spa and make more than many highly educated professionals, but, your home spa must look as clean and professional as possible, and you, as the Esthetician, should do all you can to have a highly polished demeanor and appearance, a persona that will respect and admire.  Be friendly, but never drop your air of professionalism. I have witnessed many Estheticians become too chummy with their clients, and this often results in customers losing respect for the services provided.

Always look polished rather than trendy. You want your clients to look up to you with respect and to come to you with their skin care concerns. That is how you retain steady clientele; when you are the first person who comes to their minds when they think of their skin.  If you look too trendy; obvious tattoos, unnaturally colored hair, or piercings, it will give your clients the feeling that you are unstable. Okay, before you get uptight and accuse this writer of tattoo  prejudice, ect. just keep in mind that this is the way people are, not just something that I am writing. Studies, surveys and experiments have been done to back up this point. Even people who have a lot of tattoos, and piercings view others who have this look as being less professional and trustworthy. We are trying to make money here, not change the world, so, give yourself a look that you would admire on another professional.

Working at a big company is like working in a factory. You want the experience so that you can go off on your own and charge more money with confidence. The reason I am advocating a home spa is because I believe that they are generally a better business move than paying rent in a salon. Rents simply bleed us of our earnings, and keep us on that never ending treadmill of trying to get enough money just to stay in business. The best thing that you can do is own what you have. You do not want to be renting an apartment and renting space at a salon. The goal should be to own what you live in and own the place you are running as a business. This means living lean for some time, but, it will be well worth it. This is part of the big business picture that the majority of Estys miss. It should not be about your ego, it should be about doing the things that will give you leverage.

Just don't forget- while running your home spa,it is important to keep the area looking as much like a salon as possible. It is easy for clients to think that they should pay less because it is a house or apartment and not an upscale salon and the more your place looks like home, the less they will be willing to pay.  

To be a six figure Esthetician, you must be business all the way. Think of yourself as the Donald Trump of your profession.  Trump thinks big all the time, and if you want to be in the top 10% of your fellow Estys, you should take advice from "The Donald" and if you are going to think; think big. 

A top earning Esty in Los Angeles saved her money by living with her parents while her friends moved out and paid the highest rents that their jobs allowed them to pay; two years later her friends were in credit card dept, no longer enjoying their freedom, as it was attached to feeling trapped by revolving debt and they having to work full time just to maintain it, but, this Esty had saved enough for a down payment on a condo of her own. When it came time to buy a condo she shopped around and discovered a duplex in a business district. It just so happened that there were no major beauty spas in the area. She bought the duplex and turned half of it into her business and the other half she rented out. Yes, she was so smart and willing to live frugally that she lived in her shop. The business came first. 
She spent money fixing the place up, and just put a bed behind a curtain with a television set in the back. After 5 years of making money building her client base, and having her tenant make his monthly payment to her, she had enough money to buy a beautiful 3 bedroom condo in a swanky area. The beauty of her situation these days is that she now owes less than 20K on the duplex.  Her business is profiting enormously because her ownership is so high and her debt is so low. Her friends who thought she was a loser for living with her parents years ago are no better off than they were when they moved out. Many are in worse shape because they have married and have children on top of their high rents, car payments and dead end jobs.

It is important to be disciplined and well planned, then, the sky is the limit.