Beauty with a Twist: Episode Summary – "Don't Go Into Business With Your Friends"
Host: Dede
Guest: Ashley Melcher (@waxthatash)
Release Date: December 13, 2024
Introduction to the Episode
In this engaging episode of Beauty with a Twist, host Dede welcomes special guest Ashley Melcher, renowned in the beauty industry as @waxthatash. Ashley shares her transformative journey from aspiring math teacher to a successful esthetician and entrepreneur based in Santa Monica, California.
Ashley’s Journey into the Beauty Industry
Starting Out: From Math to Makeup (02:03)
Ashley begins by recounting her unexpected transition from pursuing a career in mathematics to following her passion for makeup and esthetics. As a middle child, she often felt overshadowed by her high-achieving sisters, which fueled her desire to carve out her unique path. While studying to become a math teacher, Ashley dabbled in makeup gigs and attended IMATS (International Makeup Artist Trade Show) in California, blending her love for teaching with her creative interests.
Ashley: "I talk about imposter syndrome a lot because like if there were, I am imposter syndrome reincarnated."
Overcoming Challenges in LA (06:05)
Ashley discusses her move to Los Angeles, leaving behind a stable job at Toyota in Florida to pursue her dreams. She highlights the intense competition and high cost of living in LA, which ultimately led her to consider other career paths before finding her footing in the beauty industry.
Ashley: "People every, a lot of people in LA, I'm not going to say everybody, but a lot of people in LA, they are all doing their own thing. You have to work really hard to live in LA."
The Pitfalls of Business Partnerships
Personal Experience: Breaking Up with a Friend (15:30)
A significant portion of the episode delves into the complexities of partnering with friends in business. Ashley shares her personal experience of ending a business partnership with a best friend, which also led to the dissolution of their friendship. This challenging period taught her valuable lessons about maintaining professional and personal boundaries.
Ashley: "If you go into business with somebody, don't, don't, don't."
Statistics and Realities of Business Partnerships (17:10)
Dede and Ashley discuss the low success rate of business partnerships, citing that approximately 70% of such ventures fail. They emphasize the importance of maintaining friendships separate from business to prevent conflicts and preserve personal relationships.
Dede: "According to most research, the success rate of business partnerships is 30% a third, meaning that approximately 70% of business end in failure."
Building a Successful Solo Career
Marketing Strategies and Client Acquisition (28:08)
Ashley shares innovative marketing techniques she employed to build her clientele from scratch. Her proactive approach included airdropping promotions, engaging directly with potential clients at places like Target, and leveraging social media platforms to offer free services in exchange for reviews.
Ashley: "I used to airdrop people. I said, mention this and you'll get $20 off of any service."
Embracing Authenticity and Community (52:32)
Emphasizing authenticity, Ashley discusses how showing her true self on social media helped her connect with clients on a deeper level. By sharing personal stories and being relatable, she fostered a loyal community that appreciates her genuine approach.
Ashley: "When I started talking my personality online, that's when I found my people, you know?"
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Self-Doubt
Mental Health and Social Media (40:04)
Ashley opens up about her struggles with imposter syndrome and how constant comparison on social media affected her mental health. By reducing her social media usage and focusing on personal growth, she overcame these challenges and found strength in her unique journey.
Ashley: "Everybody doubts themselves at some point in their lives. Just know that you can get through it and reach out to other people."
Celebrating Small Wins (52:38)
Highlighting the importance of recognizing and celebrating small achievements, Ashley shares how acknowledging minor successes keeps her motivated and reinforces her sense of accomplishment.
Ashley: "I sold one yesterday and we literally got up and danced. Because I'm gonna celebrate everything."
Key Insights and Lessons Learned
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Avoid Mixing Friendship with Business: Ashley’s experience underscores the potential risks of entering business partnerships with friends, advocating for maintaining clear professional boundaries.
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Embrace Authentic Marketing: Proactive and authentic marketing strategies, such as direct client engagement and genuine social media interactions, are crucial for building a loyal customer base.
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Prioritize Mental Health: Reducing social media exposure and focusing on personal growth can significantly improve mental well-being, especially in competitive industries.
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Celebrate Every Success: Recognizing and celebrating even small achievements fosters motivation and a positive outlook, essential for long-term success.
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Define Your Own Success: Success is subjective and varies from person to person. It’s important to define what it means to you personally rather than conforming to external expectations.
Concluding Advice
Ashley leaves listeners with heartfelt advice on the importance of community and authenticity in the beauty industry. She encourages estheticians to support one another, avoid toxic business relationships, and stay true to their personal definitions of success.
Ashley: "Just make friends. Just be nice. Everybody doubts themselves... reach out to other people, make friends in the industry."
Notable Quotes
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Ashley at [02:03]: "I talk about imposter syndrome a lot because like if there were, I am imposter syndrome reincarnated."
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Dede at [17:10]: "According to most research, the success rate of business partnerships is 30% a third, meaning that approximately 70% of business end in failure."
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Ashley at [28:08]: "I used to airdrop people. I said, mention this and you'll get $20 off of any service."
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Ashley at [52:32]: "When I started talking my personality online, that's when I found my people, you know?"
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Ashley at [40:04]: "Everybody doubts themselves at some point in their lives. Just know that you can get through it and reach out to other people."
Final Thoughts
This episode of Beauty with a Twist offers invaluable insights into the challenges of entrepreneurship in the beauty industry, especially when personal relationships intersect with business. Ashley Melcher’s candid discussion about her journey, the pitfalls of business partnerships, and her strategies for personal and professional growth provides a compelling narrative for anyone navigating the intricacies of running a beauty business.
Listen to the full episode to dive deeper into Ashley’s inspiring story and gather actionable advice for your own entrepreneurial journey.
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