Beauty with a Twist: Hiring Discrimination in the Beauty Industry (An Esthetician's POV) Hosted by Dede | Released on March 21, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Beauty with a Twist, host Dede welcomes Jeff, a licensed esthetician from Pasadena, California, to discuss the pervasive issue of hiring discrimination within the beauty industry from his unique perspective as a male esthetician. Jeff shares his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges he faced, insights into managing ADHD, and strategies for growing a successful skincare business in a predominantly female industry.

Guest Introduction

Dede (A): "[00:00] A: Hey, guys. Welcome back to another episode and a new season of Beauty with a Twist. I'm super excited for this new episode because we have a special guest. Go ahead and introduce yourself."

Jeff (B): "[00:08] B: Hi, my name is Jeff. I am a licensed esthetician. I have a private skincare studio called Skin Factory, located in Pasadena, California. I also own and I'm a creator of Dead Skin Club, which is an apparel brand made for estheticians. I'm also a Zemitz brand ambassador."

Dede expresses her enthusiasm for Jeff’s diverse ventures, highlighting his role not just as an esthetician but also as an entrepreneur and brand ambassador.

Jeff's Background and Journey into Esthetics

Jeff recounts his unconventional path to becoming an esthetician, emphasizing that it was more serendipitous than planned. Originally aspiring to be a professional photographer, Jeff's transition into skincare began with a gift from his mother—a package of facial treatments in 2012.

Jeff (B): "[02:18] B: So, yeah, 2012. And I just remember the second time I came in after that appointment, I saw a huge difference on my skin, and I was like, so good..."

Impressed by the results, Jeff decided to explore skincare education, ultimately falling in love with the hands-on process of treating clients. His positive experience with a passionate instructor, Miss Mary, played a pivotal role in his commitment to the field.

Jeff (B): "[03:06] B: ...she was very, very passionate. Let me shout out to Miss Mary. She's... we're still friends still today."

Challenges in the Beauty Industry: Hiring Discrimination

As a male esthetician in a predominantly female industry, Jeff faced significant hiring barriers. Fresh out of school in 2013, he struggled to find employment, encountering resistance based on gender biases.

Jeff (B): "[09:27] B: A lot of places that I went to... didn't want to hire me because I was fresh out of school. But also, I felt like being a male in the industry was a factor."

One particular salon outright refused to hire him, citing concerns that their female clients wouldn't be comfortable with a male esthetician. This discrimination prompted Jeff to take the bold step of opening his own studio, Skin Factory, to showcase his capabilities independently.

Entrepreneurial Journey: Opening and Closing Skin Factory

Jeff's initial foray into entrepreneurship was met with challenges. Without prior business experience, his first studio operated for only a year before financial strains forced him to close.

Jeff (B): "[10:01] B: But I didn't have any business experience. So, I mean, that business lasted for a year, and then I had to close it down the first time."

The failure was a significant emotional setback, leading Jeff to take a hiatus from the esthetics industry and venture into the fitness world, where he managed a fitness studio for five years. This period was instrumental in honing his business management skills, providing a foundation for his eventual return to skincare.

Managing ADHD and Its Impact on Entrepreneurship

Jeff opens up about his recent diagnosis of ADHD, explaining how it has influenced his creative processes and business operations.

Jeff (B): "[04:10] B: I freaking love it... a few months ago that I have ADHD, and that really kind of put things in perspective for me."

He discusses the dual nature of ADHD—fueling his creativity and multitasking abilities while also presenting challenges in maintaining focus and completing projects. To manage these challenges, Jeff is taking medication and educating himself on effective management strategies.

Jeff (B): "[05:48] B: Yes, I'm on Adderall, but I'm also reading books on how to manage it... the goal is to really get off of it."

Networking and Growth Through Social Media

Upon deciding to re-enter the esthetics industry in 2020, Jeff leveraged social media to rebuild his network and grow his clientele. Inspired by skincare influencers like Jade JD Wady, he reached out to industry peers, leading to valuable collaborations and brand partnerships.

Jeff (B): "[15:19] B: She is. Oh, she reached out to us. Amazing."

He emphasizes the importance of authentic networking and the role of collaborations in expanding his business’s reach.

Jeff (B): "[17:27] B: I think it's really... collaboration has to be authentic, right?"

Pricing and Business Strategy: Subscriptions and Packages

Jeff shares his strategic approach to pricing his services, which includes offering tiered facial options and subscription packages to encourage client retention.

Jeff (B): "[57:31] B: 80 minutes is my most popular one. And I learned this in marketing... the middle price tends to be the most chosen by clients."

He discusses the effectiveness of subscription models, particularly during peak spending seasons like the holidays, to maintain consistent revenue without devaluing his services through constant discounts.

Jeff (B): "[50:00] B: That's when people want to spend more money... I'm going to make sure that it feels like a $300 facial for that client."

Client Retention and the Power of Referrals

Both Jeff and Dede highlight the paramount importance of referrals over social media in building a loyal client base. They agree that personal connections and positive client experiences drive repeat business more effectively than digital marketing alone.

Jeff (B): "[44:13] B: The majority of my clients have come from other clients. They're going to recommend you."

Dede (A): "[44:30] A: So if you get a facial... you tell me, I went to Didi and she did the best facial. She is so cool... I'm sold."

Work-Life Balance and Business Sustainability

The conversation delves into maintaining a healthy work-life balance, especially for solo entrepreneurs. Dede and Jeff discuss the pressures of a demanding schedule and the necessity of setting boundaries to prevent burnout.

Jeff (B): "[53:54] B: You need to have time for yourself... I do take some time off."

Dede (A): "[38:35] A: And since now I have a baby, I see my life is so different... I want a slow lifestyle."

Concluding Insights and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Jeff shares a motivational quote that has significantly influenced his perspective:

Jeff (B): "[63:18] B: 'There are people out there who are less talented than you, who are making waves, but you're over here still waiting to feel ready.'"

This resonates deeply with both hosts, reinforcing the message of overcoming self-doubt and taking decisive action despite uncertainties.

Dede (A): "[63:40] A: Absolutely. That was a great quote. So, yeah, if you're ready, just do it."

Jeff concludes by emphasizing the inevitability of failure as a pathway to growth, encouraging listeners to embrace challenges as opportunities for development.

Jeff (B): "[63:59] B: ...you're going to fail, but that's how you grow."

Key Takeaways

• Addressing Discrimination: Jeff's experiences highlight the ongoing gender biases in the beauty industry, especially against male estheticians.

• Entrepreneurial Resilience: Overcoming initial business failures and leveraging acquired skills from other ventures can lead to eventual success.

• Managing ADHD: Understanding and managing ADHD can harness creativity while mitigating productivity challenges.

• Effective Networking: Authentic connections and collaborations are crucial for business growth in the digital age.

• Strategic Pricing: Tiered pricing and thoughtful subscription models can enhance client retention without compromising service value.

• Power of Referrals: Personal client relationships and word-of-mouth remain more impactful than social media marketing.

• Work-Life Balance: Setting boundaries and prioritizing personal time is essential for sustaining long-term business and personal well-being.

• Overcoming Self-Doubt: Embracing action over perfection, recognizing that readiness is a journey, not a prerequisite.

Final Quote

Jeff (B): "There are people out there who are less talented than you, who are making waves, but you're over here still waiting to feel ready."
(Timestamp: 63:18)

Dede (A): "If you're ready, just do it."
(Timestamp: 63:59)

This episode offers invaluable insights into the challenges and triumphs of navigating the beauty industry as a male esthetician, the importance of resilience in entrepreneurship, and effective strategies for building a successful skincare business. Jeff's candid discussions provide both inspiration and practical advice for current and aspiring professionals in the field.