Ep 379 – Generation Gaps: Same License, Different Starting Lines with Kiarra Smith

Summary

ASCP Esty Talk Ep 379 – Generation Gaps: Same License, Different Starting Lines with Kiarra Smith
Date: March 4, 2026
Host: Ella Cressman (with Maggie Stasik)
Guest: Kiarra Smith

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Episode Overview

This episode explores the generational contrasts shaping today’s esthetics industry, spotlighting the experiences and attitudes of Gen X and Gen Z estheticians. With hosts Ella and Maggie representing Gen X perspectives and guest Kiarra Smith embodying the next-generation Gen Z esty, the conversation delves into differences in education styles, online presence, business realities, and how both generations can learn from each other. The discussion goes beyond stereotypes, instead highlighting mutual growth and the ways the industry has transformed—especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Entering Esthetics: Motivation and Post-Covid Reality

[03:05 - 04:41]

• Kiarra’s Path: Kiarra entered esthetics school in 2021-2022, post-Covid, after a career as a behavioral therapist. The pandemic caused her—and many of her peers—to rethink life direction and choose a helping profession centered on skin care.
• Unique to Gen Z: Many Gen Z estys entered the field during a time of heightened awareness around safety, sanitation, and personal wellbeing.

Kiarra Smith [04:59]:
“Going into school after Covid was definitely a unique experience because we just got done wearing masks and being really crucial on our sanitation... Safety was a huge focus for us, for hygiene and sanitizing everything, how we interacted with clients.”

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2. Hands-On Learning & Client Perceptions

[05:39 - 06:22]

• Hands-on experience was impacted by pandemic concerns: students and clients were both more cautious, with heightened attention to safety.
• There was some client hesitance, but those who came in for student treatments were generally accepting, balancing caution with their interest in services.

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3. The Digital Shift: Social Media in Education & Practice

[07:09 - 08:14]

• Virtual Learning: Kiarra’s esthetics education incorporated both in-person and virtual elements, unheard of in Gen X training.
• Early Online Presence: Students today are encouraged—even required—to create business social media accounts as part of their schooling, giving them a head start on personal brand-building and client recruitment.

Kiarra Smith [07:48]:
“We actually were encouraged... to create a business account while we were in school so we can post on it and get people to book through us that way.”

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4. Balancing Online Presence and In-Person Skill

[08:14 - 09:22]

• While in-person treatment is fundamental, having a robust online presence is seen as essential for educating clients, building a brand, and showcasing results—mirroring contemporary consumer habits.

Kiarra Smith [08:14]:
“In today’s world, I think a strong online presence is really important too because... it’s educating potential clients, it’s building your brand... We live in a society that’s such a see it to believe it.”

• Even everyday decisions (e.g., choosing a restaurant) are driven by online reviews and TikTok searches—a generational shift hosts find both fascinating and disorienting.

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5. Entrepreneurship Right Out of School: Reality vs. Expectations

[09:45 - 11:16]

• Despite the online focus, most of Kiarra’s classmates initially planned to work for someone else.
• The business curriculum typically emphasizes superficial aspects (aesthetics, ambiance) rather than core business skills (operations, inventory, ROI).

Kiarra Smith [10:52]:
“It was more of creating... what would your spa look like? What would your services look like? And it was very surface level.”

• Social media can create unrealistic expectations—many new estys expect beautiful treatment rooms without realizing the humble, gradual startup realities.

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6. What Makes a Business Work: Social Media vs. Word-of-Mouth

[13:44 - 14:56, 21:03 - 22:23]

• Online presence often builds professional “status” more than direct new client leads. Most of Kiarra's new business still comes from word-of-mouth and personal networks.
• Social media acts as a digital diary or portfolio for prospective clients, not the main engine of growth.

Kiarra Smith [21:03]:
“My Instagram is a part of my digital diary, my digital portfolio... my clients, the majority of the time, are word of mouth. I’m still handing out business cards and talking to people in person.”

• The hosts reflect that—despite changing technology—the power of personal recommendation remains timeless in the industry.

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7. Business Practices: Digital Tools vs. Old School Methods

[23:16 - 24:39]

• Differences arise in daily business practices: Kiarra uses digital client profiles; Ella uses paper forms (“binders”). The conversation highlights evolving comfort with technology and willingness to adapt.

Kiarra Smith [24:39]:
“You know, all you have to do is get an app like an iPad or tablet... They have Apple pens!”

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8. Gen Z Myths & Inter-Generational Learning

[25:02 - 26:35]

• Gen Z isn’t just about trends and social media influencer culture; many seek mentorship from industry veterans and value foundational esthetic skills.
• There’s an eagerness to merge new and traditional methods, with Kiarra expressing gratitude for guidance from Gen X mentors.

Kiarra Smith [25:02]:
“One of the biggest misunderstandings is... that we’re all just social media craze or we’re trying to be over the top influencers. The reality is a lot of Gen Z estheticians... are still genuinely eager to learn from Gen X and millennial estheticians.”

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9. Generational Boldness & Business Boundaries

[26:35 - 27:27]

• Gen Z estys tend to be more assertive regarding business policies (no discounts for family, strict cancellation fees, willingness to “fire” clients)—a cultural shift admired (sometimes in awe) by older generations.

Kiarra Smith [27:27]:
“I hear a lot of people online saying, they’re not afraid to fire a client or to charge that, that no show fee… And that’s something I’m learning… The younger estheticians—nope, like 90% charge, you canceled, rescheduled, I don’t care, you’re still gonna pay me.”

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Memorable Quotes

• Ella Cressman [10:52]: “Isn't that an interesting point, Maggie?... The things that you have to consider, like inventory management, like your back bar ROI... I just followed the brand I signed up with, and... crossed my fingers and prayed, hoping I was gonna get something.”
• Maggie Stasik [12:04]: “The administrators and educators... are artists. They're not business people. So to think about it from the esthetic perspective makes sense.”
• Kiarra Smith [20:49]: “Sometimes I feel guilty not posting to my social medias or feel like I'm ‘lazy’... but I'm still in the treatment room. I don't need to take a picture to solidify a treatment—I did a service.”
• Kiarra Smith [25:24]: “A lot of us are still looking for mentorship and guidance and the deeper understanding of skincare... I'm especially grateful for what I've learned through my Gen X mentor.”
• Ella Cressman [26:17]: “It's important, as a crusty, rusty esty, to learn from the freshie Estes... I've learned a lot from you.”

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Engaging Moments

• [18:36] Ella describes attending Kiarra’s business event, admiring her “savage” approach to business—no family discounts and savvy marketing tactics.
• [24:45] Kiarra ribs Ella about adapting to iPad consultations while Ella jokes about being “allergic” to Apple products.
• [27:31] The “no discount for family” policy and strong boundary-setting become a humorous but pointed comparison between generational values.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:35 – Kiarra’s background & entry into esthetics
• 04:59 – Impact of Covid on learning and client experience
• 07:27 – Social media in esthetics education & expectations
• 08:14 – Balancing online presence & treatment room skills
• 09:54 – Reality of entrepreneurship out of school
• 10:52 – Are new estys taught real business skills?
• 13:44 – Does an online following translate to business success?
• 14:56 – The importance of vulnerability and personality online
• 21:03 – Where do most clients come from? Social media vs. word-of-mouth
• 24:39 – Comparing business practices: paper vs. digital
• 25:02 – Myths Gen X has about Gen Z estys
• 27:27 – Young estys and modern business boundaries

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Conclusion

This episode eloquently captures how the esthetics industry has shifted in both subtle and profound ways across generations—from pandemic-induced changes in education, to the realities (and myths) of building a brand online, to evolving business acumen and professional assertiveness. At its core, the conversation highlights the value in learning from both sides: blending fresh innovation with hard-earned wisdom, and remembering that authentic client connections—whether made through TikTok or a handshake—will always be at the heart of the profession.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

Hello and welcome to ASCP SD Talk. I'm Ella Cressman, licensed esthetician, forever student of the skin and content contributor for Associated Skincare Professionals.

[C]

I'm Maggie Stasik, licensed esthetician and ASCP's program director.

[B]

We're going to have a fun episode today and I'm really, really excited because it's all about generational gaps and not just in age but in how we became estheticians. Maggie and I entered this industry as Gen Xers. We're going to pull her in with us and it was really a totally different world. It was pre pandemic, pre pandemic education, even hands on classrooms and a business model. That usually meant working for someone else before we ever thought about owning our own practice. But today our guest, Kara Smith represents the newest wave of estheticians and that is Jen Z, who went to school after Covid, built her professional identity online and stepped into entrepreneurship almost immediately. Same license, same industry, completely different starting lines. Maggie, are you excited?

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

I'm really interested to hear what Kira

[D]

has to share with us.

[B]

We're diving into what it really means from post Covid education and learning styles to online presence versus treatment room presence. This isn't about who did it better, it's about how the industry changed and what we can learn from each other when different generations sit at the same table.

[D]

Welcome Kiara hi, thank you for having me.

[B]

You're not really new to the podcast cause I've talked about you. You got a shout out and I always mention you, but I'm happy that you're on to share your experience. So for listeners, and Maggie knows this too, really what I love about sharing space with you is that we get to talk and bounce ideas off of each other. And I, I really value your insight and such, but our experiences are totally different also from Maggie. So you entered into this industry, into a post Covid world. So tell us, like, when did you go to school?

[D]

I went to school in 2021, 2022. So this was kind of like right after Covid, when we were transitioning back to, like, new normal, I guess you would say.

[B]

Yeah. What made you want to be an esthetician?

[D]

I, you know, esthetician school or cosmetology was kind of always on the back burner. After I graduated high school, I didn't really know what I wanted to do, and I went into, like, nannying, and I got into a role as a behavioral therapist for kids with autism. So I did that for five years. And I think during that time of COVID I don't know if you guys agree, but it was kind of a realization for everybody, like, what do I want to do with my life? Like, the world shut down, so what am I going to do when it gets back to normal? And I just thought, you know, I wanted to go back to school, and I've always been in a role that serviced others. So I kind of wanted to transition out of being an ABA and going and helping people with their skin. And I was drawn more to skin rather than hair for cosmetology.

[B]

The servant heart, but in a pretty way.

[D]

Yes, exactly.

[B]

So you went, You. You got into the industry post Covid. In that post Covid world, how do you think that shaped the way you learned skin care and what you expected from this career compared to how we were trained?

[D]

I think going into school after Covid was definitely a unique experience because we just had got done wearing masks and being really crucial on our sanitation and just living life that way. So going into school, safety was a huge focus for us, for hygiene and sanitizing everything, how we interacted with clients. I feel like it was a little bit hands off, I guess you could say. We just had to keep in mindset of being safe with our clients. And I think, you know, during. When you guys went to school, that wasn't. You guys didn't have a huge pandemic,

[C]

you know, did you find that as clients were coming into the student clinic, were they leery of being treated by students because you were a student or because Covid had just occurred.

[D]

I think it was a little bit of both, but at the same time, if you're coming into a school, you're kind of expecting to be with a student. But I would say they definitely were, I would say a little bit of fear in terms of, you know, somebody's touching your face and you're in a room with. There's a big turnover with a bunch of people throughout the day. Not just in my classroom, but the daytime students as well.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Ella and I have talked before about the kinds of hands on experience that we got when we went through school. And, and it wasn't much. There weren't people that booked the student clinic often. I mean really we were just practicing on ourselves all day long or you know, we brought our mom in.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

So you guys still had clients coming in. But I think with our school that it was not popular. Not like the clients weren't seeking out those same kind of services and the profession wasn't as well known or well understood. I think. You know what else was interesting too? When we went to school, I think we went to school before MySpace.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Do you, do you know what MySpace is?

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Remember?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

So really that was just like some. I remember like just starting out as an esthetician and having my top eight or whatever, but it wasn't like as in integrated into our daily lives as it was before. But how did social media. It definitely wasn't talked about in school. Was it talked about when you went to school?

[D]

Yeah, it, it was brought up a lot. And you know, post Covid, we also had a lot of online learning opportunities for virtual days, which I don't think you guys had at all. Sorry.

[B]

No.

[D]

Not to be like back in your

[B]

day, but we had a book and we opened it and made a sound.

[D]

Yeah, they, they actually encouraged us to. I remember an assignment of ours was to create a business account for while we were in school so we can post on it and we can get people to book through us that way so we can meet our quotas.

[B]

That's interesting. So for you, how important is having an online presence compared to being strong in the treatment room? And do you feel pressure to balance both?

[D]

I think having an online presence as well as being in the treatment room is important in today's society. I always think like still having the exceptional skill sets of how to work with a client and being in that treatment room is really important. You know, that's, that's the fundamental to your business. That's you're physically healing somebody you're physically putting your hands on somebody and looking at their skin that way versus doing something online. You're not getting that quality time face to face with somebody. So I think being in the treatment room is really important. It's the core of your business. However, in today's world, I think a strong online presence is really important too because that's the way that somebody is seeing your results. It's educating potential clients, it's building your brand. And we live in a society that's such a see it to believe it. So I think that's really important too because for example, if we want a restaurant, we look online or TikTok it and look at the reviews just as much as if we listen to word of mouth of oh, hey, this is a great restaurant, you know.

[B]

Maggie, how do you find a restaurant?

[D]

I TikTok at Ella.

[B]

Yeah, no, that's something that was interesting that Kira told me the other day. She says she goes to TikTok to look up a restaurant, then she goes to Google. And I was like, I'm, I, I'm just done. I can't. I asked somebody, yeah, I roll the dice and see if it's good or not, you know?

[D]

Yeah, for real.

[C]

How many people in your class or when you were in school had the mindset that I'm going to school and then I graduate and I'm opening my business?

[D]

Honestly, I don't think a lot of us talked about that. That wasn't a route that was really suggestive for us. Obviously it was brought up, but it was more so like going into a salon and working for somebody. I can tell you now from graduating, it's me and one other person that are a small business and a couple just work for people. So for us it was a really small group.

[B]

Were you encouraged to consider self employment?

[D]

I think it was, it was brought up. I think that was a part of a curriculum, you know, an avenue that you can go down. I don't necessarily think we learned about the backside of the businesses, like how you can really succeed as a small business. It was more of creating like a fun what would your spa look like? What would your services look like? And the aesthetic of it? And it was very surface level.

[B]

Isn't that an interesting point, Maggie? Like it's as what would your business look like? And do you think, and both of you guys, do you think this influences the expectation of the students entering the workforce, the licensed professionals coming in that it's just so easy breezy and all you need is a social Media presence and uplighting, and you're good. What do you guys think?

[D]

Yeah, I think coming into this field, everything is so, like, aesthetically pleasing. I mean, all over social media, you see, like, these beautiful treatment rooms. But the reality is, when you first start out, it's, what is my. What am I going to have for my bed? What am I going to have for my towel warmers? Like, it's the essentials that you want in the treatment room. And I'm sure you guys can agree, like, when you first started out, it was very minimal. And then you added on to the aesthetic of your treatment room. So I think it's people coming in, I mean, all over TikTok and Instagram and social media. Now it's just these beautiful day in the life that people post, and it. There's nothing really being talked about. Like, how do you get there?

[C]

I think that building on Kara's point, the administrators and the educators who are teaching this industry at the heart are artists. They're not business people. And so to think about it from the esthetic perspective makes sense. And we can all relate to that as estheticians. You know, we're not thinking about the numbers and the data. We're thinking about, is this pretty? Does my client feel good? How am I nurturing them? How am I nurturing my space? And so when business is quote, unquote taught, it's not really the business. It's, you know, is your space pretty? How do you want to make it look? What do you want your menu to be? How are you going to make your client feel good?

[A]

Mm.

[B]

I remember doing that and making, like, a diorama in a shoebox. Of what? My spa. FYI, it doesn't look anything like that now, but it was very much the aesthetic, the facade of it, and not like the. The things that you have to consider, like inventory management, like. Like your back bar roi. What are you getting there? Instead, I just followed the brand that I signed up with, and I just really duplicated all of their protocols, put them on my menu, and, like, crossed my fingers and prayed, you know, hoping that I was gonna get something. And I think it's interesting, too. We had a conversation about. I mean, it was just kind of like a short conversation, too, about social media and follows and prestige and what that means. And then also the conversion of that interaction online into clients. What is your experience?

[D]

I think there's so much pressure to be online, and I guess it's kind of like your status quo, like, who you are versus, like, how Often you're getting clients in from online. It's more of just how you're. How somebody's following you and just keeping up with you. And like I mentioned again, like, the aesthetic of like your social media, I would say I don't have a lot of clients that come in from social media. It's more of just a presence of who I am and what is in my treatment room and my personality that people can see and kind of keep up with. And it's also a place, I think, outside of the professional title of mine, that clients can kind of see like who I am as a person.

[B]

Do you think that's important?

[D]

I think it's very important, yeah. You know, we were always kind of like taught to be professional and keep it professional. But at the same time, I feel like I do so well with my clients being just as vulnerable as they are and obviously keeping it professional. But I think we live in such a world where interaction and just exchanging vulnerability is important.

[B]

I had a thought recently about the different industries and online presence. I think there is a definite association with wanting to patronize a business based on their online. The way they show up online. The example of restaurants, I do, you know, I do see on my feeds, like, oh, try this spot, try that spot. And they definitely makes me want to at least pursue it. And then recently I switched hairstylists, which was traumatic, but I was researching them and they pulled a Kiara and go online on like, this was their Instagram to see. I read their menu, right? I went to their website and I was like, oh, I think this is the person I want. And then I noticed it was like, look at me here on this, you know, social media link. So I clicked it and I was like, oh, no, that's not what I want. And then I went to the next one. Oh, that's not what I want. And I feel like those are visual or instant gratification things. I don't know that I would go to. Like my injector secrets out.

[D]

I get.

[B]

I get a little Botox here and there. I wouldn't go to my injector base. I wouldn't seek out the Instagram. I wouldn't pick my obgyn on Instagram, which people do. I. I would then instead.

[D]

What does that look like?

[B]

I'm not explaining it to you. I don't know. It happens. Like they'll go seek out, like, you know, find one near, I don't know, a little bit deeper than a Google, I guess. I don't know. But they'll do that stuff. And I think with our. With esthetics, with corrective skincare. Let's say corrective skincare or spa, like, relaxing time. I am curious if online presence is because everyone else is doing it or because that's what we're supposed to do, but is it for gaining clients or is it for, like, a status among other professionals? Like, who's following me? Mostly estheticians, not clients. You know, what do you guys think?

[D]

I think it's both, right?

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I think it's both. And I think, like, what Kira was saying about just having that presence, having your personality out there, you're going to have people that are maybe going to Google for the reviews, but they're also checking the Instagram. Who is this person really? Whether it's true or not, they're reading into those images, gaining an understanding of this individual and deciding, do I really want to go see them or not?

[B]

Interesting. You moved into self employment pretty quickly. Did working for yourself feel like it was a goal from the start or did that come from what you saw online?

[D]

It wasn't necessarily something I saw online and thought, like, I have to do that. Especially, like, when esthetician school really didn't push that avenue. I would say when I really wanted to become self employed was an unfortunate, like, work experience. After I graduated and got my license, and then I really sat with myself and I. I wanted that control over my career and I wanted the freedom to create the kind of experience I wanted for myself and for my clients. So it happened a lot sooner than I actually thought it was going to happen. But looking back, I'm really grateful that I just took the leap. And I told myself, like, the worst that can happen is I fail and I haven't. So I've been learning and growing and evolving, and I think that it's sometimes something that just crosses the street when it needs to happen, you know?

[B]

And let me tell you, I'm super impressed with you as a business owner.

[D]

Thank you.

[B]

We had events, right? Independent. We work in the same space, but we have two separate businesses. I had an event early December 2025, and like a week or so later, you had an event. And the difference between our events was striking, especially because I was so proud of you as a business owner. She put together the best thing. It was games and it was ways to get, you know, new people's email address. And I was like, dang, I wish I would have done mine after. And then when it came to, like, checking people out, I was helping her with that. And it was, I'll use the word savage. It was savage that none of her family got a discount at all. It was like, no, this is my business. You're taking my business series. I was like, taking all kinds of notes for it. It was so funny. But. So you're doing really, really well.

[D]

Thank you.

[C]

I appreciate that, as social media and influencer culture are huge right now. Kira, how do you personally decide what feels authentic versus what feels performative in this industry?

[D]

Yeah, you're right. Social media is performative, and that's really tough to navigate. It's challenging to find a balance between showcasing my work and staying true to myself and still focus focused on being present in the treatment room. For me, the key is to trust my intuition and be me and be honest. And I'm not an influencer, so I have to realize that too. And it's okay to do aesthetically pleasing things. Like I do, like taking the pictures of, you know, my treatments and my lash lifts and the videos and putting that together and being creative and having that freedom. But I just try to be mindful of what feels authentic or versus what feels kind of just going through the motions and what's trending and, you know, what that person is doing or what they're sounding like. And it's just there's so much pressure to that. And sometimes I feel guilty not posting to my social medias or feel like I'm, quote, unquote, like, lazy, but I'm not. And, you know, I'm still in the treatment room doing all these treatments, but I'm just like, dang, I forgot to take a picture. And I'm like, you know, I don't. I don't need to take a picture to solidify. Like, I did a treatment, you know, Yeah, I did a service.

[C]

You said that social media is important, but you don't feel like your clients are coming directly from social media. So, like, where is the balance where social media lands and new clients are gained?

[D]

I feel like the balance for me is I think of my Instagram as a part of my digital diary, my digital portfolio. On my business page, you can have the option to click on my Instagram link. And I kind of just think of it as showcasing my work. An artist displays it. A portfolio. Exactly. That's how my Instagram can be. But my clients, the majority of time are word to mouth. And I'm still handing out business cards, leaving business cards out, and talking to people in person. You know, I shout out to my husband because he. He really does a good job at helping marketing for me. So I think that's just a digital diary of my Instagram.

[C]

I think that's a really important note that you're saying how valuable there is in networking, word of mouth. You're still, you know, pounding the streets, if you will, passing out business cards and there's this outward voice, if you will, about, oh, social media, social media, it's all about social media. You gotta post, post, post. That's how you're gonna build the business. And here we're hearing it firsthand that really, it's still about making that connection with the individual.

[D]

Yeah, it is. And my dad also like owns his own business and he doesn't have a website, he doesn't have social media. Like, he gets his business from word of mouth. So I also really admire that for him too. Especially because now like we're sitting here talking about social media and he's like, nope. And so I, you know, I see that with him and I understand that that can happen for myself and for my business too. So. And it's still like interacting with people face to face and greeting somebody by name and knowing, you know, who they are. And it can come so naturally to get clients that way.

[B]

So I feel like that has generationally stood the test of time because that's how it was for me. Too different. I mean, I printed flyers and put them on like door hangers.

[D]

Right.

[B]

Which was my social media.

[D]

Right.

[B]

Got zero people. But definitely word of mouth is important.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

I have a question for you though. What do you think is the biggest difference between you and me with how we practice?

[D]

I would say I've really learned that you can see clients day to day and you can get them in the treatment room, get them what they need to get done, and then, you know, send them on their way and like, still have that time of like, interaction and that peace that can come with just being in a treatment room and laying on the bed. And it made me realize, like, okay, like, I don't have to have these like 90 minute facials for every single one of my services. Like, I can get my clients in and out of the door and, you know, sometimes they prefer that too. And I would say, like a difference between you and I also is you do a lot of your consultations still on paper and you keep them in the binders. Versus for me, I have them all in my clients portfolio on my booking system. So old school. I love it though. It's like pen and paper. Yeah.

[B]

I draw pictures of what it looks like. And I don't know how to get, I don't know how to move out of that paper model right into something else. Like for the initial consultation, I feel, it feels very clinical. I've got my little clipboard and I'm asking you questions. I don't know how to move that into the digital space, but I'm working on it with my new software.

[D]

You know, all you have to do is get an app like an iPad or a tablet. Don't say the I worship.

[B]

I know, right? I still be clinical with my, you

[D]

know, they have the Apple pens.

[B]

You can still write I'm allergic.

[D]

Cool.

[B]

So from your perspective, what do you think Gen X estheticians misunderstand most about Gen Z's that are entering the field?

[D]

That's a great question. I think one of the biggest misunderstandings is maybe Gen Z entering the field is assuming that we're all just social media craze or we're trying to be over the top influencers. And I think the reality is a lot of Gen Z estheticians, and I'm Gen Z by a year, so.

[B]

By a year.

[D]

By a year. But a lot of us are still genuinely eager to learn from Gen X and millennial estheticians. We value the experience and the tried and true techniques that come from years in this industry and we understand that there's a lot to learn beyond what we see online. So perhaps some Gen X estheticians might underestimate our drive to learn the fundamentals or they might assume that we're only into the latest trends. But a lot of us are still looking for like the mentorship and the guidance and the deeper understanding of skincare and we're willing to learn. So I will say I'm especially grateful for what I've learned through my Gen X mentor.

[B]

Thanks.

[D]

So I think just like the open communication is, is really big that we're not all closed off. Yeah, that makes sense.

[B]

And I think it's important as a crusty, rusty esty to learn from the freshie Estes because it's, there's. I've learned a lot from you and hopefully we'll talk about more later, but I've learned a lot from you and I know Maggie and I learn a lot from the people that we are in contact with every day too.

[D]

And I would say too like in this, I would say in the field, I think a lot of us that are new and fresher, we're a little bit more bold and speak our mind a lot more, I would say. And I think that's, you know, something that is okay to do. I, I hear a lot of people online saying, you know, they're not afraid to fire a client or to charge that, that no show fee. And, you know, I see a lot of people that are Gen X millennials that, oh, like, you know, like a little timid. And so, and that's something I'm learning, too, especially people that are younger than me that are new estheticians, and they're like, nope, like, 90% charge, you know, you, you canceled, rescheduled, I don't care. Like, you're still gonna pay me.

[B]

So savage. And no discount for family. That's.

[D]

That's me. But that's as far as I'll go. Nice.

[B]

Now, listeners, we really want to hear from you. Are you a freshie SD ready to tackle your own business and faithfully showcase that on social media? Or a crusty, rusty SD trying to figure out the TikTok or somewhere in the middle of both? Reach out via Instagram, Facebook, or send us an [e-mail] we want to know all the details. In the meantime, thank you for listening to ASCP STTalk. For more information on this episode, or for ways to connect with Maggie or myself, or to learn more about ascp, check out the show notes and stay tuned for the next episode of ASCP STTalk.