Loading summary
Transcript103 lines
- [00:02]
A
And Doug, here we have the Limu emu in its natural habitat, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.
- [00:18]
B
Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us.
- [00:21]
A
Cut the camera. They see us. Only pay for what you need@libertymutual.com Liberty Liberty Liberty Liberty Savings vary unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance company and affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts. This episode is brought to you by Jack Daniels. Jack Daniels and music are made for each other. They share a rhythm in the craft of making something timeless while being a part of legendary nights. From backyard jams to sold out arenas, there's a song in every toast. Please drink responsibly. Responsibility.org, jack Daniels and old number seven are registered trademarks. Tennessee whiskey, 40% alcohol by volume. Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, Tennessee.
- [00:56]
B
Foreign welcome back to the Treatment Room podcast. So today I'm sitting down with the amazing Elish Pierce, celebrity esthetician, educator, and formulator. She has had such an impact on our industry. I will never forget Alicia seeing your chapter in the m' lady textbook, an esthetician school. And Elise just has such a beautiful way of blending science, artistry, and intuition when it comes to skin health. So today we're diving into mentorship, growth, and what it really takes to evolve as an esthetician. Elise, welcome. We're so excited to have you.
- [01:41]
C
Well, thank you. Thank you for sharing your platform and your listeners with me. I just am, I'm honored every time we get to chat.
- [01:51]
B
Any OGs out there? Do you remember Elish coming on? What was this, 2020?
- [01:56]
C
Yeah, I think it was time ago.
- [01:59]
B
So she's, she's finally back with us. And I know you've had a lot going on since we last chatted, so we're gonna get into all the amazing work you're doing now. But Elish, before we dive in, wanted to ask you what originally pulled pulled you into the world of aesthetics and what keeps you so passionate about teaching others today?
- [02:22]
C
Oh, that's a great question. First, I want to say you have been evolving quite a bit too in the last five years. It's been really lovely to watch your journey. And you know what? That's a perfect segue. I think that's it. Like, I love being part of the journey. I love supporting new estheticians in their quest to figure out, you know, how to be the best. The best, offer the best service that they can. But I also have that other side that I just love serving the clients. Like when I Hand the client the mirror after a facial, and they. It's like they're seeing themselves for the first time all over again. That is just so fulfilling. It never gets old. It never gets old.
- [03:11]
B
Seriously, it's the best feeling to see somebody smiling back at themselves and surprised in a good way. To see their skin just become healthy from that treatment with you.
- [03:23]
C
Yeah. Yeah, definitely. That's what keeps me going. You know, I think I might have mentioned this before. When I was a makeup artist, I was India Ari's personal makeup artist for a while, and we were traveling to Tokyo, and she came back to the back of the plane and asked me what my purpose statement was, what my purpose was. And I said, I don't have one. And she said, well, we have a lot of downtime, so while you're in Tokyo, journal about it. Like, think about why you're here. Every human being needs to know why they're on the planet. And what I realized during that week of just introspection was that I kept attracting clients who were new to new models, new musicians, new entertainers, and I helped them translate their beauty to the camera. So I came up with the purpose statement that I help people create their own unique definition of beauty. And I can do that one on one, or I can teach other estheticians, and it trickles out to thousands. And that is really, like, my barometer. If some opportunity comes up, I'm always checking in with that statement. Like, how does this activity, opportunity support this purpose statement?
- [04:44]
B
How did you land your first celebrity client? I feel like, oh, wow. A lot of estheticians, you know, hear about that celebrity realm. How do you kind of cross over into it?
- [04:58]
C
You know, my. For me, because I had a background in makeup, I had an agent, I had the. Yeah, that. That. That plug. That plug for 20 commission. That plug. And they kind of show me the blueprint to reach out to press and, you know, had media training. You sit on your jacket so the shoulders don't come up, and little things like that.
- [05:24]
B
So professional today.
- [05:27]
C
It's. It's like training in the back of my head. So I think that that prep helped me just like coming to a new town and introducing myself. I actually partnered with one of the. When I moved to Philadelphia, I partnered with one of the shops selling my skincare line, and they also were working as pr. They had some background in marketing, and they sent out this. This newsletter, this email blast that it worked. I mean, it was. The heading was just, Michelle Obama's former makeup artist sets up shop in Philadelphia. And I got so much press for that. But I never, because I've had an agent, I never think about tooting my own horn. But that's really what you have to do is, you know, go out on a limb and brag a bit.
- [06:24]
B
Yeah. Were you nervous when these high profile clients laid down on your treatment table?
- [06:32]
C
Yes and yes and no. I always hold my breath when I'm about to dermaplane, say a prayer, hold my breath because his face is so visible. But I can't say that beyond just, you know, the normal respect for the modality. It's. There's a certain comfort that comes when you've been in different circles and you just kind of know how they're human beings, you know?
- [07:05]
B
Yeah. So you feel like you were able to kind of just put on your professional hat and, and do your job.
- [07:12]
C
You know, there are butterflies inside, of course. But I'm always aware that my mission statement is guiding me. I'm always aware that I'm allowed to sit at certain tables and I have had certain doors open for me because I am always letting that purpose statement guide me. So when something comes up, I don't say, oh my God, can I do? I mean, that might be in the back of my head, oh my God, can I do this? It's like, oh, my God, thank you for this opportunity to show up and really be in my purpose, you know? Yeah.
- [07:54]
B
So today, I know we wanted to talk a lot about mentorship and you said you had some great mentors. Right. What are some things that you learned from them to, you know, allow you to succeed in the way you have, you know?
- [08:10]
C
My favorite mentor is my aesthetics, my first aesthetics major. I've had mentors in brand building as a makeup artist, but the, my first aesthetics mentor really broke down barriers. I didn't even know I was going to, you know, come in contact with. She's an African American woman, was mature then. Now she's in her 70s, still doing what she loves to do, playing with these different electronic modalities. And she was going through ministerial school, so she had a Reiki master. So there was a spiritual component in what she was doing with electronics and cellular vibration. Like there was a vibe machine in the office to raise everyone's frequency and we would charge our water. So it had, I love that. Like, that was the best intro to. Because she, she really said this. She created her own lane, you know, introduced me to cranial sacral before I even took my state boards. She was, you know, opening the door up for me. To let me experiment in her space. Yeah. So Reverend Diana Presley, I'll never forget her.
- [09:34]
B
She sounds great. So. And how did you find. Find her as a mentor.
- [09:40]
C
At church? She was part of the spiritual center that. Yeah. And I knew she was an esthetician. She had a background as a model and a makeup artist. And just to like, sit at her feet and let some of that wisdom soak in. I just really, that's really all I wanted. I, you know, in California, we had 600 hours of training. Now that I'm in Pennsylvania, looking at their 300, I, I think what a blessing that was to have 600 hours. What a luxury. But, you know, we really need it. I mean, yeah, I, I did not feel prepared, but she kind of took me in and mentored me before there was a backlog with, with state board. I couldn't even get in to take my exam. And she let me work with her.
- [10:35]
B
I saw you have an educational module about, you know, working with derms. Are there any key points you want to share that could help estheticians with that relationship?
- [10:49]
C
Yes. So I was fortunate enough to be the, the first director of a program organized by Learn Skin, the Integrative Esthetician Certificate Program. And through that program, we're able to work with the dermatologists who are also part of the Learn Skin community. And they all collectively said, you know, reach out to us in every city. It seems that there are dermatologists who would love to collaborate with esthetic. May not have one on staff, you know, and they all said, don't be afraid to reach out. I will say looking for someone who understands the value of a facial is important. So really vetting them out, doing a little research before you do a cold call, and if they are open to other integrative practices. And you can also go to the Learn Skin website to find other members who might be in your city.
- [11:55]
B
Is this your platform?
- [11:58]
C
So no. So My platform is askaleash.com and I do have education modules on that platform and also launching some with a few other educators on my platform and really excited about that upcoming before the end of the year, God willing, final launch, relaunch. But the Learn Skin platform. I was able to work with other educators who created their modules on aesthetics in traditional Chinese medicine, aesthetics in Ayurveda practices, and we talked about, oh, nutrition and how to work and collaborate with other alternative wellness providers. And it's a really interesting community of skincare professionals who really range from naturopaths to, to nurses, physicians, assistants who are all collaborating in this integrative space, sharing information. So it's really unique. And through those webinars and workshops and meeting with these dermatologists, they really all are just saying, hit us up. Let us know that you're in the area, you offer this service, and if there's some synergy, we'll collaborate. You know, I think we just have to. Again, can't be afraid to toot your own horn, and.
- [13:42]
B
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I love to hear that. I have such a great relationship with a dermatologist who has helped me with my skin since I was younger, and I now refer out to her, and she. She's one of those really special derms who values estheticians. She hires us, she loves us. She thinks we have incredible expertise. So those derms are absolutely out there. And I know on social media, sometimes we hear it's kind of adversarial, but I think creating that collaborative environment is so needed for the client.
- [14:26]
C
Yeah, I agree. And. And that's another form of mentorship, right? Because having that sounding board, you know, just to consult whenever something is. Is we run against. Into something that we're unfamiliar with or understanding what type of protocols to implement, it just is so helpful. And they typically don't want anything in return. They just, you know, you refer people to me, I'll refer people to you, and we can meet at that level. In the textbook I wrote for Milady, I talked about finding ways to collaborate with the community. So at that point, I didn't have my own business, so it was kind of just these ideas that were thrown out that I explored in the textbook. But I really have been leaning into that. Like, those things that I'm told might even be my weak points. How. How do I. How do I fill that gap in? You know, how do I bring in collaborators who could answer some of those questions? So having a dermatologist do a. An info night at your space, you know, would be a great way to start building a relationship. Yeah, we've been really leaning into it.
- [15:53]
B
What do you think is missing from, you know, the traditional aesthetic schooling at the moment?
- [16:00]
C
You know, when I was the educational director for dmk, I got to collaborate with some amazing doctors and estheticians from all over the world. And the one common thread with all of them was that they had superior training. They had two years of training. They were essentially physician assistants by the time they finished aesthetic school. And if, you know, 300 hours compared to two years of training, I think whatever level we're expected to perform at I honestly think it's insulting to have us only require 300 hours. That's saying that you don't think we're actually going to affect a change in, you know, those states that are seeking to do away with the license altogether is just, it's really insulting. But the confidence comes from having a solid foundation in physiology, biology, cosmetic chemistry. That's, that's the foundation, you know, and, and then a little business training would be nice, you know, at the very least, the students that I talk to who say, oh yeah, I'm going to finish my 300 hours and then I'm going to go solo. I think if they understood what it took, they would backtrack a bit and go get a job at Hand and Stone. Get a job, you know? Yeah, just get a job.
- [17:37]
B
Talk about it. Yes, seriously. Because we don't have internships normally in a space.
- [17:44]
C
So I, I say train on someone else's dime. You know, I, When I went to a Dermalogica school, thank goodness we had the IDI connection at least. So the International Dermal Institute was nearby and we were able to take, take some advanced classes. But the first spa that took me in was Dermalogica Spa. And so there was that connection as well, that kind of, oh, you already have this level of training, we can meet you here. But I had to make a one year commitment to them. They said, look, we're either going to have you commit to a year and you'll work with the lead esthetician, or if you leave early, you'll owe us X amount for your training.
- [18:41]
B
I guess I get it because it's a lot to train a new esthetician, right?
- [18:46]
C
It is. It is one of the things I ran into here. My newest Internet came in from Innovative School. I won't say the name, but on our first, her first facial, I'm watching her set up and she literally came over to the tray, the cart and didn't know, was hesitant, putting down the bowl of water. And I said, just put it down. Whatever works for you. And she said, I guess I'm confused because we had a skin schematic, a map of where the bowl goes, where the squirt of water, where the brush go. I said, that is such useless information. I want you to forget about all of that and set it up the way you want it, you know, however you want to set up. It's. It's your space. This is going to be your space every Wednesday. You get to work here.
- [19:54]
B
Totally own it too. Caught up in the the textbook. Yeah.
- [19:59]
C
Spoon feeding information. It's like, first of all, you have to be quick to be an esthetician if you.
- [20:06]
B
Yes. And you have to have emotional intelligence and be able to relate to your.
- [20:13]
C
I would love for, you know, schools to be able to kind of vet that out. And, you know, maybe at the end of 300 hours, you're not ready to see clients. Maybe you should go into spa management, doing some front desk work to continue to learn.
- [20:32]
B
Yeah.
- [20:33]
C
So that you can build the knowledge that will afford you the confidence to actually touch clients. But kind of spoon feeding, you never really will see who shines and who's ready. You know, there are so many other fields in aesthetics. I mean, I love to tell people my. My journey. Not everyone is suited for, you know, the treatment room.
- [21:03]
B
It's okay. It's okay, guys. You don't have to be pigeonholed to that if it's not right, you know, your calling.
- [21:12]
C
And. And they may want more of a clinical setting, you know, less hands on. Give me the tool, gauze and a brush, you know, and I don't have to touch anyone. They. They. That may be the. The journey. So I think the spoon feeding is the biggest disservice we do in aesthetic schools. Just. We can't be coddled, you know, because.
- [21:37]
B
There will come a day where it's. It's just you and your client and, yeah, you. You got to be able to respond in the moment. So. So I agree with that. So having hired estheticians, what would you say you look for when you're thinking of hiring an esthetician for your spa?
- [21:58]
C
I am the worst at hiring people. I doubt it. No, no, no. I'm. I'm terrible. I see the best people and I see their potential, and I hire base. It's like picking a partner I hire based on their potential. And. And they might not even really want to go down that path that I see for them. So I'm really terrible. What I am doing now, putting together a questionnaire for this new hire to really assess what level of knowledge, you know, where she's coming in. And. And I can read character. You know, I can see potential, but I really need to know how much knowledge they actually have. So I'm starting with that. And then we're going to go right into a trial facial. She's bringing a model, and. And that'll at least help me determine if I have the time and the energy to invest in. Yeah.
- [23:08]
B
I think a lot of new SDs struggle because they feel like, well, I don't have much experience. How am I supposed to get the experience?
- [23:16]
C
Yeah. And then the employees hiring have the same concern. They don't have much experience. How. How am I going to make sure that they get this? Yeah, it's really.
- [23:30]
B
How can I trust you with my clients?
- [23:32]
C
It's really tricky. One of the tips that I got from a med spa that when I was living in Long beach, was to have the esthetician bring in models or pull from. Yeah. And I'll do. You know, you waive your 40% commission to have your friends come in and practice. So at least my expenses are covered and they can still continue to learn on the job. You know, I also just created a really simplified facial quickie that will just give. Get them used to turning the room around between clients and, you know, just get in a rhythm. We started calling. Create your own choreography, your own aesthetics choreography so that you have your own flow, you know, to be at ease. Just to be at ease and get comfortable.
- [24:34]
B
So true. What do you notice estheticians are struggling with? Is it massage? Is it extraction? Skin analysis?
- [24:45]
C
All of it. And I. I mean, skin analysis first. Right. Because I'm teaching estheticians my. I'm calling it my equitable approach to skin care so that they understand how to customize based on ethnicity, gender identity, religious beliefs, and age. So skin analysis is really that cornerstone of all of that. You can't customize until you know what you're looking at. So.
- [25:18]
B
That.
- [25:18]
C
That is the. The biggest challenge. I always direct people to Florence Barrett Hill, who I think wrote the Bible, Advanced Skin Analysis. And she talks about looking at texture, color, and secretions and understanding what those cues are telling you. That's. That's first. That's key, before anything else. And we're working on extractions. I have a nice folder of my massage inspiration. I wouldn't say that I'm a. The best massage therapist, but clients really come to rely on the massage that I offer. So I just created this little folder of all of my inspo. All of my massage of gurus that I. That I lean towards. And then extractions are just an ongoing journey. Thank goodness I have a medical director. So we're able to use extract lancets. I don't know how anyone does it without a lancet. In fact, there's some research even that shows, you know, the extraction, just the explosion of that plug exiting the follicle can cause hyperpigmentation. So I see it.
- [26:47]
B
Yeah, all the time.
- [26:48]
C
Yeah. And the pie that just recently I've As I have more Pennsylvania Dutch clients and I'm seeing how easily they, they have erythema and scarring after. It's just really. Yeah, become much more, I'm much more cautious now, I would say, with extractions and trying to train the esthetician.
- [27:20]
B
I do, you know, online consultations and work with clients virtually. And sometimes the client wants to get an extraction in the beginning to kind of relieve that material in the pore. But more often than not, I'm saying, you know what, let's just not. Because when it's done improperly, there is that risk of pigmentation, scarring, or even pushing the breakout deeper into the pore.
- [27:47]
C
You know, 20 years ago, when I became an esthetician, the popular extraction method was, I would, I think it was patterned after Russian estheticians who they go in with full force, you know, and you, you're a failure if there's any blackhead left behind, if there is a close combat. Right.
- [28:12]
B
That's how I was taught.
- [28:14]
C
Yeah. And now the more coaxing, hydrating, nourishing approach to extractions and acne care, just so much more popular and beneficial and less traumatic. It just makes a lot more sense, you know, but then how to teach that kind of wisdom to a new esthetician, you know, what to touch and what to leave alone. And also to not do it from a place of fear because, yeah, I, I, I'm guilty of going after some things that are inflamed. You know, if they look like they're ready to go, I will, I just, I do. But I do it because I'm, I'm not afraid to, you know, and, and I'm also still, still processing, but learning how, how much I can push it, how far I can go, you know, and.
- [29:13]
B
Right.
- [29:13]
C
And when to refrain from. Yeah.
- [29:19]
D
When did making plans get this complicated? It's time to streamline with WhatsApp, the secure messaging app that brings the whole group together. Use polls to settle dinner plans, send event invites and pin messages so no one forgets mom 60th. And never miss a meme or milestone. All protected with end to end encryption. Description. It's time for WhatsApp message privately with everyone. Learn more@WhatsApp.com this episode is brought to you by ebay.
- [29:48]
E
Before all the algorithm fed blah and the endless sea of dupes, shopping used to feel more fun. Find that feeling again on ebay. It's not mindless scrolling. It's a fashion pursuit. And when you score that rare Adidas collab or the Dior saddlebag You've been manifesting it's a rush. Ebay has millions of pre loved finds from hundreds of brands backed by authenticity guarantee. EBay, things people love.
- [30:18]
B
Totally. Yeah. With time, you kind of do get that gauge. Yeah. So I wanted to talk a little bit about, you know, something that's affecting a lot of esthetic right now, just the reality of the economy. And I know you and I were talking about this a little bit. People are more cautious with their spending right now. I feel like there's a lot of uncertainty, so people aren't splurging as much on, you know, the high ticket facials and big skincare hauls. How do you think we SDS can like survive these times? And do you have any, any tips, anything that's been working for you?
- [31:03]
C
As I said, I've been an esthetician 20 years, but I just opened my, my first practice like four and a half years ago, so actually closer to four. So I, I often lean on a friend of mine who is, has been in aesthetics forever running businesses. And the one thing that she started drilling into me is that if you're good at your craft, you're actually solving the problem that brings you money. If you're good at supporting your clients in achieving skin wellness, then you're diminishing your client pool essentially. You know, and so I, thankfully I started thinking in that vein before things started to kind of look like they're drying up. And I'll say look like, because it's just appearances, it's whatever we choose to believe about it. But I, I realized then that I have to constantly be marketing, constantly letting people know what I do, because we're healing the issue that, you know, is bringing us money. So you got to keep finding new, new clients, new issues to solve, new problems to solve. That said, I think because I'm approaching 60 in a couple of months, I've been thinking about my exit strategy. But I do, I do think of us. You know, we're taught to be these solopreneurs and how do we create a business that we can sell? How do we create an exit strategy? Really? If you talk to any entrepreneur, any executive, they start with the exit and work backwards. And I think because we're leading with our heart, we're just so jumping in. I want to help, I want to be there, I want to be of service, but we're not thinking about how we're going to close out this chapter of our lives.
- [33:44]
B
I think a lot of SDs, they don't even think about it. They don't think of their business as something they could, you know, sell one day.
- [33:51]
C
Yeah, yeah, and I've seen that. So I, I. This one friend who has had multiple businesses, I've seen her build and sell and sometimes fall short of what she was hoping to get for the space. Yeah, a couple of friends who have gone through that process. And so I just started really thinking, what could these two hands do? I definitely wouldn't have gotten a laser if I was thinking this way before, because these two hands can only do so much. You know, it's one thing if I wanted to have a huge core of nurses working for me 24 7, but I want to work three or four days a week, you know, so you.
- [34:35]
B
Don'T think you get your money's worth.
- [34:36]
C
Out of the laser right now, I'm not. I'm definitely not. But there's been a lull in laser bookings. I have to lean into that marketing more. But, you know, if my goal is to offer quality facials, then I'm gonna have less time to be an effective laser tech. That's just it. The times that the laser has taken over my day, I'm not happy. I don't love doing seven lasers a day. I'd rather do three facials, you know, just. It makes. Makes me feel good, you know, or I might. And I'm playing with my menu, actually, right now to be able to satisfy both. I find that the skin becomes really brittle when you're just lasering. It's like this constant. Not. It's not ablative, but this constant radiation, every cellular turnover. Yeah. Instead of nurturing and nourishing the skin. So, you know, since I'm not coming from the med spa aesthetic, how do I incorporate the laser into these holistic facials to make it. But these are things that I should have thought of before I purchased it. Right. Like, you know, do you think you.
- [35:56]
B
Could have known that, or did you have to go through the experience?
- [35:59]
C
I think I had to go through the experience because, of course, the company advised me. They gave me all this, and I was making money. It was great. But they were advising me from the blueprint of a med spa with, you know, nurses and injectables and peels and microneedling, and all of that has its place. But I find those more advanced modalities supplement my holistic facials. And, yeah, I just had to go through it to come up with. But so as I'm saying, all this, it's all part of that process of codifying my Best practices creating a training manual so that I have something to sell. So at the end of, let's say, five years from now, at 65, when I'm ready to retire, I'm not only selling the business and the equipment, I'm selling the client list. I'm selling my manual of, you know, my signature facial, my approach. In addition to that, the cost per service, all of my suppliers, you know, the breakdown of everything is going to come into this. So, yeah, it will be worth the three times my annual revenue by then, you know, and I'm toying with the idea of do I add the educational component when I sell it or do I separate the two? So I'm actually considering changing the name so that I remove my name from the. The business from the logo so I can sell this.
- [37:40]
B
Yeah.
- [37:40]
C
You know, separate studio. Yeah. This entity that has nothing to do with me. And it feels so odd because I, you know, nursed this baby and brought it into the world. And now that she's growing up, she needs to have her own name, her own identity, you know, so she can go play with somebody else while I retire and have this passive income make her work for me now. Yeah.
- [38:07]
B
Yeah. Well, that'll be good. So this might be a dumb question, but how does one go about finding a buyer for your business when you're ready to retire?
- [38:16]
C
Yeah, so I don't know. Ask ChatGPT and she'll tell you. I don't know. I've had a couple of people, brands approach me, but they wanted, you know, one was a waxing center. They want to buy my concept, essentially, and then input their branding into it. I don't think that's going to get me the biggest bang, you know, for my buck. I did have a client who was an investor, so I thought about talking to her. I don't know.
- [38:54]
B
You're just putting feelers out.
- [38:56]
C
I'm pretty. I got five years and I'm playing with the idea of do. When my lease is up, do I purchase a building? So that is part of the package that someone can purchase, you know, adding real estate to it. How do I sweeten the pot? And then what do I reserve for myself? You know, I think the, the thing that I'm. I'm doing that is unique and it's probably. Had I started this a little earlier in life, I probably. I might not have thought about this avenue, but I started a nonprofit, and I really would like for the nonprofit to. Well, the end goal, my personal goal, is that it is what I do when I retire that I can offer oversee these free and donation based facials offered to underserved communities.
- [39:52]
B
How's it going?
- [39:52]
C
Starting slowly because I was funding everything myself. So it was a slow start. But we started with like 25 patients in a drug rehab center offering facial there. I partnered with the National Council of Jewish Women in New York to offer services to their participants in their food pantry service. So we did a workshop on nutritional skin care. You know, you may not be able to purchase this retinol, but if you cook your leafy greens in oil, you then are getting the benefits of vitamin A internally. You know, just having those conversations. We did a workshop on facial workshop. So setting up stations, they had products donated and the food pantry participants got to give themselves facials and go home with the goodie bag. And what I'm working on now, there's a local brand, Sabbatical Beauty based in Philadelphia, but they're Korean inspired and really beautiful. Microbiome balancing botanical formulas. And they are partnering up with us to offer facial. I get emotional when I think about it. Offer facials to the teens at trans teens at an LGBTQ center here. So helping them become more familiar with their skin as it transitions into this new identity that they're embracing. And, and it's just so fulfilling. I'm so excited. So we just met today.
- [41:39]
B
I love seeing how you are extending self care to your community. Everyone needs it.
- [41:47]
C
I agree. And just to expose everyone to this level of, of wellness, it just means so much to me because, you know, I, I grew up with a single mom and it was like Ponds, Vaseline, you know, Sea Breeze. That was our, those were our beauty products. And the, the quality skincare products were reserved for a different social class. We didn't have access to it, you know, make it maybe go to the dermatologist if I had breakouts because I was using crappy makeup. But you know, when I was having pustular breakouts at 16, so I want to claim acne, but I know it was totally self imposed. Yeah. But I, I definitely, you know, went to the dermatologist, had cortisol injection, cortisone injections and all of that as a teen, but never this. The loving pampering touch of an esthetician. So to be able to possibly offer laser services to some of the participants, transitioning, it just really fills my soul, you know, scars in therapy. Just so many opportunities to be. To do good. To do good.
- [43:35]
B
I bet they're so grateful.
- [43:38]
C
I really think they appreciate it. It's just reciprocal. Right. In this, these times when we're so divided, whenever there's an opportunity to find unity and oneness and just support each other, that's, that's the, the mission and trickle down is there's another income stream. There's another opportunity to, you know, bring awareness to the studio.
- [44:11]
B
So it can be a lot. Right? Like having a business pouring out to your clients. Clients, yeah. Wanting to make it in these times. Like it's not always rainbows and butterflies. Sometimes you have hard mental health days. Like, how do you overcome those days?
- [44:30]
C
I'll tell you, I totally broke down this summer. I totally, I had a health challenge. I'd been pouring for a year, just pouring into this new location. And I came from my aunt really, who's 87. She's like, you're first. You have to put yourself first. If you don't function, nothing else functions. You know, and I, I really needed that 87 year old woman to tell me, you know, you have to put yourself first. You, you have to pay yourself first. You know, so many times I have to remind myself, yeah, I want to buy this mask, but I have to pay myself. There's no one there to apply it on the person if I don't pay myself first. You know, just honoring my own mental, physical and financial, well, being emotional. Oh, yeah, too, you know. Yeah, yeah. And I, and I love, and I keep saying this because I feel so old now, but I love seeing younger estheticians get that. Like they just this, you guys, you know, you, you get the importance of that. I think I was at least taught by a generation that neglected themselves. Like women in the 80s I looked up to. They were powerful women in power suits with big shoulder pads and they powered through the day no matter what. You get a babysitter for that child and you just keep going. You know, I was a latke kid, you know, because my, my mom had to power through. And I realized that there's, there's a softer part that carries me, you know, grace carries me. I don't have to prove how strong I am or how much I can power through. Really, the real flex now is how much can you care for yourself? How much do you love yourself today? Like that's the show of strength in this environment. How much can you show up and continue to love yourself?
- [46:45]
B
I feel like peace and like actual happiness and not burning yourself out is the flex.
- [46:54]
C
Yeah. Yeah. And I, you know what really turned it on for me before even I started feeling crappy and realized that I was getting, making myself Sick. My clients, they come in and they're like, so, have you gone anywhere? Did you do anything? Are you. You know, and they want. They want the update. They want to know. And I. This one client, when I was like, no, I didn't go anywhere this summer, her face got really somber and sad for me. And I thought, oh, God, yeah, you're right. I should do something for myself. You're absolutely right.
- [47:31]
B
You know, I can do that, too, just, like, default to, you know, work. Because that feels more comfortable, right?
- [47:39]
C
Yeah. Well, I have another friend who. The friend who has had multiple businesses. She keeps reminding me that my value isn't in my productivity.
- [47:49]
B
I need to hear that every day. Elish.
- [47:53]
C
You are already valuable. You do not have to. You're already loved.
- [47:59]
B
You're already loved.
- [48:00]
C
That to do list will still be there tomorrow. You know those messages. I didn't get those messages. I got. You know, prep your week on the Sunday before and, you know, check off your list every night to know what you're doing the next day. All of that has value. But if you don't give yourself some grace, you know, you'll. You'll burn out before. And it shows on your face.
- [48:29]
B
It does. It does. And, yeah, I think it turns people off when. When you can take time, even if it means a break from productivity, and come back to yourself and come back ready to, you know, actually give your best. I think, you know, it's. It's underrated. I used to have my first. One of my first esthetician jobs. I had a boss, I would say, like, do it with passion or don't do it at all. Like, sometimes it's better to take the day off than force it when you just. You're gonna pour out bad energy anyway.
- [49:08]
C
Yeah. And you attract what you are. Right. I. When I started noticing I was attracting looky, I call them looky loose from Instagram.
- [49:17]
B
Oh. Oh, yeah.
- [49:20]
C
They don't want to get on the products. They, you know, they're not coming back. They just wanted to feel good for those 90 minutes, and that's fine. But I started thinking, where am I a looky Lou? Where am I not investing in myself on a regular basis? You know, why am I attracting these people? Because I'm being that person.
- [49:43]
B
So true. Okay, guys, this is your sign to, like, realign and really set your intention and. And care for yourself first before you try to pour out to everyone else.
- [49:57]
C
Yeah.
- [49:57]
B
Yeah. Alicia, this has been so wonderful. I hope we can do this again more often and collaborate. Where can we find you in terms of social media and, you know, any resources you have to share with other estheticians.
- [50:16]
C
Well, it's currently Ask a Leash everywhere. I have been given this name by my clients. And so it's Ask Underscore Alish. On Instagram, you can go to askalish.com and then there's a little education portion which will lead you to my workbooks and online courses. And if you're in Pennsylvania, you can always hit me up to come in and have a one on one bespoke training.
- [50:48]
B
Oh, guys, go see a leash. Go check that out. Well, thank you so much. This has been wonderful. So excited to share the conversation, guys. Alicia will be linked in the show notes below. And thank you everybody for listening. And thanks for joining us, Alicia.
- [51:05]
C
Thank you, Tess. I appreciate it.