“What do you want to do once you’re licensed” We looked at each other, all of us students in different places on our journey, some girls were graduating next week while others had only just come in. Yet here was our teacher asking us about our futures. Sixteen girls stared back at her, one by one saying almost the same thing. “I want to open my own business, I want to go solo, I want to rent and be solo, I want to rent to others who want to go solo, etc etc.” I debated what I wanted to say. Of course I also wanted to be my own boss, but I knew the risks and how much work would have to be accomplished. It’s not all social media and clients. It’s so much work before a solo establishment can even be opened and then it’s up to you to get the business and clients. When it was my turn I said I wanted to work for someone else under an established business. 8 months later I opened my studio.

I tried to get a job at an already established studio. I knew what the smart option was; teachers and mentors had told me countless times not to open my own business, but in the end I was committed. So my journey began. Luckily my grandparents had an office space with an empty room, the room was mine as long as I stayed in school and did the renovations. The “empty” office turned out to be full of office supplies, magazines, furniture, dust, stains, and a very interesting carpet. The renovation process took three months. In that time I painted the room with the help of my dad, got beautiful flooring put in, thrifted, discount shopped, and repurposed enough furniture to decorate the place, and put up a very cute sign courtesy of Etsy. Surprisingly enough that was the easy part. 

In esthetician school, you’ll learn a little bit about how to establish a solo business. The main steps include licensing, permits, inventory, taxes, pricing, and marketing. I knew about two of those in detail. I first went to blogs like this, looking for other beauty businesses or estheticians who had done it before me. Then it was TikTok, YouTube, podcasts, books, anything I could get my hands, ears, or eyes on. There weren’t as many resources out there as one would think, (insert the idea to start a blog here). So I essentially began the process alone without a plan. Scary. But now over the course of a few posts, I’ll be able to break down each step in the process in detail, including websites and sources that helped me get to where I am today. As someone located in a small town in California, the licensing rules here won’t apply everywhere but, I will still talk you through the steps for almost any state. Starting alone can be terrifying, but it’s so worth it. Getting to really create deep connections with your clients and intentionally choose every product you feature in your space is such an incredible experience. The more thought and love you put into your business, the more your clients will feel comfortable in your space. Isn’t that what the beauty business should be? Finding your niche and being able to help people feel beautiful while also helping yourself to find confidence and beauty in what you do. So if you’re looking for a sign to go solo, this is it. It’s a big task but I promise you don’t have to go through it alone. It takes a village and I am excited to be a villager in your journey.