Podcast Summary: Beauty with a Twist – Episode: "I Pay My Clients $50 Per Referral (And I Should Be Paying Them More)"

Hosted by Dede | Release Date: June 20, 2025

1. Introduction of Guest: Mila Sombrano

In this compelling episode of Beauty With A Twist, host Dede welcomes Mila Sombrano, the owner of Skin Bar by Mila, an esthetician based in Long Beach, California. Mila shares her journey in the beauty industry, emphasizing her six-year experience as an esthetician and her entrepreneurial endeavors.

Notable Quote:

[00:08] Mila Sombrano: "Hi. My name is Mila Sombrano. I am located in Long Beach, California. I have been an esthetician for six years now, going on seven. And I'm the owner of Skin Bar by Mila."

2. Career Journey and Educational Background

Mila discusses her initial academic pursuits in communication and public affairs, coupled with a minor in marketing and human resources. Despite excelling in retail management roles at major brands like Banana Republic and Gap Inc., she felt unfulfilled and faced significant workplace challenges that led her to reevaluate her career path.

Notable Quote:

[01:25] Mila Sombrano: "I was just not happy. I just felt like I was constantly working and it really killed me."

3. Overcoming Personal Challenges: Anxiety and Burnout

Mila opens up about her struggles with severe anxiety and burnout, exacerbated by a toxic work environment. She describes how these challenges led her to take a leave of absence and eventually pivot towards the beauty industry as a means of finding personal fulfillment and managing her mental health.

Notable Quotes:

[03:54] Unknown Host: "And like in the Mexican world, my mom never believed in anxiety. It's not real for us."

[04:34] Mila Sombrano: "When I got married in 2015 in Ecuador, my makeup artist never showed up... So when I did the trial, I looked like everything but myself."

4. Transition to the Beauty Industry

Mila's personal experiences, including a negative encounter with a makeup artist at her wedding, propelled her to pursue formal education in makeup. She shares how her passion for skin care and makeup led her to establish her own business, Skin Bar by Mila, focusing primarily on facials.

Notable Quote:

[05:07] Mila Sombrano: "When I found out that my makeup trial looked nothing like myself, it pushed me to take matters into my own hands."

5. Building and Growing the Business: Strategies and Challenges

Mila delves into the early stages of building her clientele from scratch. She emphasizes the importance of educational content on social media, authentic engagement, and personalized client interactions in establishing trust and loyalty. Mila also discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on her business growth.

Notable Quotes:

[17:51] Mila Sombrano: "A lot of Hispanics book me because since the beginning, I've always put, I'm Ecuadorian."

[19:46] Mila Sombrano: "Putting content. And when someone just makes a comment, be like, that's not correct... I just kind of like, I'm just going to do it."

6. Social Media and Client Engagement

Mila highlights how authentic and motivational posts on social media have been pivotal in attracting and retaining clients. She discusses the balance between educational content and personal storytelling, which fosters deeper connections with her audience.

Notable Quotes:

[20:30] Unknown Host: "They can relate to me."

[20:43] Mila Sombrano: "It makes that person more human."

7. Pricing and Referral Strategies

A significant portion of the discussion centers around Mila’s referral program, where she pays clients $50 for each referral. She explains the evolution of her referral incentives, emphasizing the importance of offering substantial rewards to encourage client participation and attract like-minded individuals.

Notable Quotes:

[29:45] Unknown Host: "So if, let's say I'm a new client and then I go to you, and then I bring someone else to you, you're gonna give me $50 for referring them."

[31:18] Mila Sombrano: "For every new client that that client brings me, I'm going to give them $50. And that I think is cheap. I should give them a little bit more."

8. Hiring and Managing Staff: Quality Control and Training

Mila shares her approach to expanding her business by hiring skilled estheticians who align with her brand's standards. She discusses the importance of slow hiring—taking time to train new staff thoroughly to maintain the quality of service that clients expect from Skin Bar by Mila.

Notable Quotes:

[34:45] Mila Sombrano: "I make the girls a little bit more affordable, just a tad bit. So they can go to them."

[35:11] Mila Sombrano: "I train them one facial at a time... Once you graduated from this facial, then we move forward."

9. Client Relationships and Emotional Support

Mila emphasizes the profound connections she builds with her clients, often providing emotional support during facials. She recounts instances where clients have shared personal struggles, highlighting the therapeutic aspect of her services.

Notable Quotes:

[56:37] Unknown Host: "I literally carry it."

[58:13] Mila Sombrano: "People will remember how you treat them. Yes."

10. Work-Life Balance and Managing Stress

Balancing business demands with personal life is a recurring theme. Mila discusses her strategies for maintaining mental health, including setting boundaries, prioritizing family time, and avoiding overcommitment to ensure she remains effective and fulfilled both personally and professionally.

Notable Quotes:

[54:22] Mila Sombrano: "Quality of life. So I was like, what? What does it matter if we have that money if we're not able to, like, enjoy it together."

[56:14] Mila Sombrano: "To make sure that I am the best version of myself for my clients. That's why I only take four, because if I take five, seven, or six, I am a watered version of myself."

11. Final Thoughts and Inspirational Message

As the episode concludes, Mila offers invaluable advice to new estheticians, stressing the importance of education, authenticity, and self-acceptance. She encourages listeners to focus on personal growth rather than comparing themselves to others, fostering a healthier and more sustainable approach to building a beauty business.

Notable Quotes:

[61:43] Mila Sombrano: "Education will be the backbone of your entire business. So once you pour yourself into education, everything else just flows."

[62:37] Mila Sombrano: "Stop looking at what everybody else is doing. And who has more. More is not necessarily better."

12. Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Mila shares her social media handles, inviting listeners to connect with her for services and further insights.

Contact Information:

• Instagram: @SkinBarbyMila
• TikTok: @SkinbyMila11
• YouTube: Skin by My Mila

Notable Quote:

[64:35] Mila Sombrano: "Come and see me in Long Beach."

Key Takeaways:

• Authenticity Matters: Building genuine relationships with clients fosters loyalty and trust.
• Educational Content: Sharing knowledge not only positions you as an expert but also attracts a dedicated clientele.
• Referral Incentives: Providing substantial rewards for referrals can significantly boost business growth.
• Work-Life Balance: Prioritizing personal well-being ensures sustained success and prevents burnout.
• Quality Over Quantity: Focusing on delivering high-quality services rather than maximizing client numbers leads to better client satisfaction and business reputation.

This episode offers a deep dive into the entrepreneurial journey within the beauty industry, highlighting the importance of mental health, authentic client relationships, and strategic business practices. Mila Sombrano’s experiences serve as an inspiring roadmap for aspiring estheticians and beauty entrepreneurs.