ASCP Esty Talk - Episode 339: Identity Crisis

Release Date: August 6, 2025
Host: Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP)
Co-Hosts: Maggie Stasik & Ella Cressman

Introduction

In Episode 339 of ASCP Esty Talk, titled "Identity Crisis," co-hosts Maggie Stasik and Ella Cressman delve into a topic that resonates deeply with many estheticians: the intricate balance between personal identity and professional branding. This episode explores the challenges that arise when a business becomes an extension of oneself, blurring the lines between personal life and professional commitments.

The Challenges of Being Your Brand

Maggie opens the discussion by highlighting the powerful connection clients form with estheticians—not just through their services but through their personal brand. She poses a critical question:

"What happens when your business becomes your identity?" ([01:50])

Ella immediately relates, sharing her personal experience with her brand, Ella Cress Skincare. She candidly discusses the pitfalls of naming her business after herself:

"Ella is Ella Cress Skincare. And so when I had employees, people wanted to book with me. That was problem number one. Number two, I can never scale it and sell it because it's literally me." ([02:33])

This scenario underscores a common dilemma: while branding oneself can foster trust and authenticity, it can also lead to operational and scalability challenges.

Blurred Personal and Professional Boundaries

The conversation shifts to the inseparability of personal and professional identities. Maggie emphasizes the strength of being the face of the business but also acknowledges the accompanying risks:

"Being the face can lead to burnout, blurred boundaries. You are the face. You are the business. When do you shut it off?" ([04:04])

Ella echoes this sentiment, sharing an anecdote from her school days where her peers often sought her advice purely based on her professional title, leading to persistent overlap between her personal interactions and professional role:

"People want advice on this. Can you look at this? What do you think I should do about this?" ([04:18])

This blending often extends beyond estheticians to other professions, including doctors and lawyers, where professional expertise overshadows personal interactions.

Impact on Personal Life and Burnout

As the discussion progresses, both hosts acknowledge the emotional toll of maintaining such a close tie between personal identity and business.

Ella shares her struggles with work-life balance, particularly how her dedication to her business led to neglecting personal relationships:

"I was growing... having to set aside time for yourself... knowing you're not the brand." ([10:49])

Maggie connects this to the broader issue of burnout, highlighting how the inability to disconnect can result in resentment and exhaustion:

"Burnout... the resentment that you're talking about, if those boundaries are not set, it's easy to feel that way." ([12:12])

Strategies to Maintain Separation

To combat these challenges, the hosts discuss practical strategies for maintaining a healthy separation between personal and professional lives.

1. Intentional Branding:

   • Maggie suggests that estheticians can build a powerful personal brand without oversharing personal details.
   • Emphasizing values and professionalism while maintaining privacy helps in setting clear boundaries.

2. Social Media Management:

   • Ella advises maintaining separate professional and personal social media accounts to prevent the overmerging of identities.
   • She emphasizes the importance of a "behind the scenes" plan to ensure personal time isn't overshadowed by business demands.

   "Creating a space where you can have us stop personally. So I'm closing my shop for the day and I am now off." ([10:49])

3. Setting Clear Boundaries:

   • Establishing specific work hours and sticking to them helps prevent work from encroaching on personal time.
   • Utilizing booking software instead of personal contact information can limit unwanted professional queries during personal time.

   "I don't really text. I do now text through my booking software." ([11:33])

4. Self-Care and Time Off:

   • Scheduling regular breaks, vacations, and hobbies unrelated to work can rejuvenate personal identity.
   • Ella shares her realization of the importance of boundaries after experiencing growing resentment from always being available for work-related matters.

   "Scheduling time off, and having a start and an end to your day." ([10:49])

Building a Balanced Personal Brand

The hosts emphasize that building a personal brand doesn't have to mean sacrificing personal identity. By being deliberate about how much of oneself is shared and by setting firm professional boundaries, estheticians can maintain a healthy balance.

• Professional Interactions:

  • Engaging with clients professionally without delving into personal life ensures that relationships remain focused and respectful.

  "You can establish the difference by saying, oh yeah, I would love to make you an appointment, here's my card, and end it there." ([07:33])

• Emotional Boundaries:

  • Setting emotional boundaries prevents professional interactions from affecting personal well-being.

  "Setting emotional boundaries with clients too. I think that's a big one." ([13:28])

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

"Identity Crisis" serves as a poignant reminder for estheticians to reflect on their professional identities and the potential impacts on their personal lives. By sharing personal experiences and practical advice, Maggie and Ella offer valuable insights into navigating the delicate balance between being a passionate business owner and maintaining a fulfilling personal life.

Notable Quotes:

• "What happens when your business becomes your identity?" — Maggie Stasik ([01:50])
• "Ella is Ella Cress Skincare... I can never scale it and sell it because it's literally me." — Ella Cressman ([02:33])
• "It's easy to have burnout if those boundaries are not set." — Maggie Stasik ([12:12])
• "Creating a space where you can have us stop personally. So I'm closing my shop for the day and I am now off." — Ella Cressman ([10:49])

Additional Resources

For more insights from this episode or to connect with Maggie and Ella, visit the ASCP Esty Talk show notes. Share your own experiences with balancing personal and professional identities on social media or reach out via email at getconnectedscpskincare.com.

This summary captures the essence of Episode 339, focusing on the central theme of identity and its implications for estheticians. By highlighting key discussions and providing memorable quotes, it offers a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened to the episode.