Podcast Title: Beauty with a Twist
Host: Dede
Guest: Megan from Dirty Bird Aesthetics
Episode Title: How to Build a Team, UNIQUE Marketing Strategies & Bosses With Scarcity Mindset
Release Date: May 10, 2024

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Beauty with a Twist, host Dede welcomes Megan, the founder of Dirty Bird Aesthetics based in Sacramento, California. Megan shares her inspiring journey of launching a full-body waxing studio amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation delves into the intricacies of building a dedicated team, implementing unique marketing strategies, and overcoming the scarcity mindset prevalent among business owners in the beauty industry.

Building a Team

Megan's approach to team-building is both personal and strategic. Starting as a solo esthetician during the pandemic, she quickly recognized the need to expand to meet growing demand. Megan emphasizes the importance of hiring individuals she already knows and trusts, often turning clients into team members.

• Hiring from Within: Megan recounts how her first team member, Madeline, transitioned from being a client to an employee. She notes, “I like to hire from within,” highlighting the benefits of existing relationships and trust. (02:33)

• Developing Strong Relationships: Megan believes that building friendships with her employees fosters a positive work environment. She explains, “It's nice to know, like, I trust all of them, fully.” (11:30)

• Growth Through Team Expansion: As Dirty Bird Aesthetics grew from a single-room studio to a four-room space, Megan strategically hired Evelyn and Jessie, both of whom were long-time clients. This method ensured that new employees were already familiar with the business’s values and standards. (10:20)

• Supportive Leadership: Megan stresses the importance of supporting her team’s growth, stating, “If one of my girls came to me and said, I want to open up my own space, I'd be like, how can I help?” (35:16) This approach contrasts with the typical scarcity mindset, where owners may feel threatened by their employees' success.

Notable Quote:
"I hire people that I know who I trust and, like, they have my best interest in mind. I have their best interests in mind." — Megan (11:30)

Unique Marketing Strategies

Megan leverages her background in PR and marketing to create standout content for Dirty Bird Aesthetics. Her innovative use of social media has been pivotal in establishing a strong brand presence.

• Creative Content Creation: Megan uses unique props and themes for her Instagram posts, such as flowers and roller skates, to make her content memorable. She mentions, “I follow a lot of pages where it's just photography, different brands, even colors... I bet I can recreate that with someone's pubes.” (17:10)

• Tagging and Reposting: By tagging brands and utilizing hashtags effectively, Megan ensures her content gains visibility. This strategy often leads to her posts being reposted by larger pages, significantly boosting her follower count. (21:00)

• Community Engagement: Megan actively participates in local events and fairs, setting up booths to promote her business. This hands-on approach not only increases brand awareness but also fosters community connections. (30:03)

• Prop-Driven Marketing: From vintage Playboys to unique Zippo lighters, Megan uses distinctive props to differentiate her studio and make it a desirable place for clients to visit and photograph. (16:09)

Notable Quote:
"I think the best way to grow your brand is to get reposted by bigger pages." — Megan (21:00)

Bosses With Scarcity Mindset

Megan addresses the prevalent scarcity mindset among beauty industry bosses, advocating instead for an abundance mentality.

• Embracing Abundance: Megan expresses frustration with the competitive nature that often hampers collaboration. She states, “There's plenty of people to go around. There's plenty of clients... There's enough to go around.” (35:37)

• Supporting Team Growth: Unlike many, Megan encourages her employees to pursue their own business ventures without feeling threatened. She believes in fostering an environment where growth is celebrated rather than feared. (35:16)

• Rejecting Micromanagement: Megan avoids micromanaging her team, focusing instead on trusting their abilities and fostering independence. This approach not only empowers her employees but also contributes to a more positive workplace culture. (14:19)

Notable Quote:
"I feel like there's a lot of scarcity and fear mindset in our industry as owners. But there’s plenty of clients who come to see me, and there's plenty of clients who go to see other people." — Megan (35:37)

Challenges in the Beauty Industry

Running a beauty business comes with its set of challenges, which Megan candidly discusses.

• Operational Hurdles: Megan highlights the complexities of managing a business, from handling taxes to ensuring consistent marketing efforts. She shares humorous anecdotes about dealing with bookkeeping errors and the relentless nature of business operations. (40:54)

• Maintaining Work-Life Balance: The demands of running a studio often blur the lines between professional and personal life. Megan mentions, “I'm always thinking, like, oh, I need to do this... it's constant.” (39:09)

• Navigating Client Relations: Building strong client relationships is crucial, but it also means dealing with personal interactions that can sometimes be overwhelming. Megan emphasizes the importance of making clients feel valued and creating an enjoyable experience. (07:08)

• Managing Slow Seasons: Like any business, there are fluctuating periods. Megan advises maintaining consistent marketing efforts even during slow times to ensure a steady flow of clients. (28:55)

Notable Quote:
"Opening a business is like having a baby, and you want it to flourish and keep it growing." — Megan (38:42)

Future Projects and Innovations

Megan shares her exciting plans for the future, including developing innovative products to enhance the waxing industry.

• Patent-Pending Wax Warmer: Megan is working on a unique wax warmer with advanced features such as tracking wax usage per service. She believes this invention will revolutionize the industry by providing estheticians with better tools to manage their businesses. (54:13)

• Long-Term Vision: While committed to running Dirty Bird Aesthetics, Megan remains open to future projects and collaborations. She envisions expanding her influence in the beauty industry through continuous innovation and community engagement. (47:13)

Notable Quote:
"I'm dropping it. You know, there's holes in our industry that need to be filled." — Megan (54:15)

Conclusion

This episode of Beauty with a Twist offers valuable insights into building a successful beauty business through strong team dynamics, creative marketing, and a supportive leadership style. Megan's optimistic and abundance-focused approach serves as an inspiring example for aspiring esthetician-owners. As she continues to innovate and expand her business, her story underscores the importance of passion, consistency, and community in the beauty industry.

Closing Quote:
"Learn like you will live forever. While doing, learning." — Megan (58:39)

Looking Ahead:
Megan hinted at future collaborations, including featuring her husband, a seasoned barber with over 20 years of experience, showcasing the interconnectedness of different beauty professions. This partnership promises to bring even more depth and expertise to future episodes.

Thank You for Listening!
Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on entrepreneurship, marketing strategies, and overcoming industry challenges on Beauty with a Twist.