ASCP Esty Talk - Episode 332: Rethinking the Hustle

Release Date: June 25, 2025

In Episode 332 of ASCP Esty Talk, hosted by Maggie Stasik, the conversation centers around the prevalent "hustle" mentality within the esthetics industry. Co-host Ella Cressman, a Licensed Esthetician and Certified Organic Skincare Formulator, delves deep into the implications of constant hustling, its impact on personal well-being, and explores alternative definitions of success in the beauty sector.

1. The Hustle Mentality in the Beauty Industry

Maggie opens the discussion by highlighting how the beauty industry often glorifies nonstop effort, emphasizing long hours and the relentless pursuit of more clients. This "always be hustling" culture is romanticized but can have detrimental effects on mental health and personal relationships.

Quote:
"The beauty industry seems to demand nonstop effort. The always be busy mentality is sometimes romanticized... but I think for many there's a real impact of this on our mental health, our relationships and personal wellbeing."
— Maggie Stasik [01:46]

2. Conditioning vs. Choice in Hustling

Ella shares her personal journey from being a constant hustler to seeking balance. She acknowledges that while the hustle mentality is ingrained and often expected, it's not an inevitable aspect of the profession. Her transition involved focusing more on her personal life, including caring for stepchildren and aging parents, which naturally shifted her priorities away from constant work.

Quote:
"I've learned that it's not [an inevitable part of the business]. You can have a shop, you can be an esthetician. You can have that identity separate from this other thing. It doesn't have to be like that."
— Ella Cressman [04:15]

3. Burnout vs. Boredom

The conversation distinguishes between burnout and boredom. While burnout refers to a depletion of energy and enthusiasm, boredom stems from a lack of passion or interest in repetitive tasks. Both can lead estheticians to seek new opportunities or side hustles, but recognizing the difference is crucial for addressing each appropriately.

Quote:
"Boredom would be like, I'm not finding the passion anymore and burnout is. I don't have the gas anymore."
— Ella Cressman [08:12]

4. Redefining Success: Quality Over Quantity

Both Maggie and Ella emphasize the importance of redefining success beyond traditional metrics such as revenue, number of clients, or retail sales. They advocate for a more personal definition of success that includes self-care, work-life balance, and the quality of client relationships.

Quote:
"Success isn't how busy you are, but it's like quality versus quantity argument in a kind of a different way."
— Ella Cressman [09:19]

5. The Influence of Brands on Perceived Success

Ella criticizes how brands influence education and set metrics for success, often pushing estheticians to meet sales quotas and focus on side hustles to validate their expertise. She points out the disconnect between professional identity and brand-driven expectations.

Quote:
"We're in a very visual space. We are connected socially. We're in a boastful environment... the brands have now taken control of specific areas of education."
— Ella Cressman [14:32]

6. Embracing Work-Life Balance and Personal Goals

The hosts discuss the shift towards valuing work-life balance, driven in part by younger generations within the industry. They encourage estheticians to set personal goals that align with their values rather than conforming to external expectations.

Quote:
"You get to pick that... [Success] is a personal thing."
— Ella Cressman [10:25]

7. Practical Steps to Achieve Balance

Ella shares practical strategies for reducing hustle, such as consolidating business tools to streamline operations and focusing on enhancing client relationships. By prioritizing core services and improving business efficiency, estheticians can achieve better balance without sacrificing success.

Quote:
"I took time and it was time-consuming and I consolidated and wow. My business picked up different SEOs, different things."
— Ella Cressman [19:36]

8. Encouraging Client-Centric Approaches Over Side Hustles

The discussion concludes with a strong endorsement of prioritizing excellent client service over diversifying into multiple side hustles. Building strong, long-term client relationships is portrayed as a more sustainable and fulfilling path to success.

Quote:
"The best thing that you can do is provide the best possible service... That's where you're going to make the most."
— Ella Cressman [17:28]

Conclusion

Episode 332 of ASCP Esty Talk offers a thought-provoking examination of the hustle culture pervasive in the esthetics industry. Maggie and Ella advocate for a balanced approach to career and personal life, encouraging estheticians to redefine success on their own terms. By focusing on quality client relationships, personal well-being, and streamlining business practices, professionals in the beauty industry can achieve sustainable success without the detrimental effects of constant hustling.

For more insights and discussions, tune into ASCP Esty Talk and connect with hosts Maggie Stasik and Ella Cressman through the show’s social media channels or visit getconnectedscpskincare.com.