We got the opportunity to chat with Brandy, owner of Skinformation Academy. We discussed how she got her start as an esthetician, how she became an educator, and her journey with entrepreneurship.
(Some words have been edited for brevity).
So, we can jump right into it if you don’t mind. Could you just give us some information about your background and how you got started as an esthetician.
Okay, I definitely will. So, for me, I’ve been an esthetician since 2008, and I’ve been teaching since 2015.
So, I pretty much knew from the beginning that I loved aesthetics.
It was my niche, and it was just a place and thing I loved. I have a natural tendency to nurture and teach. So, for me, after doing it for a while, it was a natural transition for me to go into teaching.
And so once I got my first opportunity to teach, I immediately fell in love. I began teaching at different schools in the Tri-county area of Miami, Broward, and West Palm Beach. And after doing that, I realized that, speaking specifically about Florida estheticians, because our program is so fast and so basic, it’s not uncommon that many Florida estheticians graduate and feel lost, or don’t understand a lot of the concepts.
After that epiphany, I decided to establish a training facility for continuing education and advanced education. And later on, I added business coaching, because a lot of estheticians want to go into solo practice. So, that’s my timeline from becoming a student to transitioning into my own solo practice and mobile spa.
And then also going into teaching, and then ending up in my own business that also does mentorships and training programs.
Let’s see I know we talked about how you got started as an esthetician. But, where did you actually start your career?
I started my career at Elements Spa. It was located in Miami Beach and was a very high-end, beautiful spa. I came from a different background; my actual background was architectural drafting.
So, I used to draw blueprints, — yeah, completely different. But, although it was good money, it just wasn’t me. I remember being miserable.
I remember sitting in those four walls, just me and that computer, clicking away and thinking, "This can’t be it." What do I really like? What do I love?
I didn’t even know what an esthetician was, at the time. But, as I started listing the things that I naturally gravitate toward, for example, I’m the one who did me and my friends’ eyelashes or makeup for prom, or different things like that.
So, as I started to list those interests, I remembered researching them, and, esthetician came up. And I was like, "Well, you know, what is that?" And, as I looked into it, it really sounded like something I wanted to do. So, what I did, was I knew I was going to leave my job, but, of course, you have to be smart about it.
So, I went to work at Elements as a spa hostess while I was going to school for esthetics.
And I did that for two reasons: I did that, so I figured when the time came, when I did get licensed, I would have built a rapport with that company. where it could possibly be an easy transition into esthetics. And that’s actually what happened for me.
And I also started there as a hostess, because I figured, even though I wasn’t doing facials at the time, it was still beneficial because I was learning spa protocol and spa lingo, too.
So, while I was attending school, I was working at Elements Spa as a spa hostess. Once I obtained my license, I was immediately promoted to esthetician.
And that set the tone for my career. I got really blessed with that company because they were really into training on site. So, a lot of my continuing education, I didn’t have to go out and seek and pay for it.
It was done in-house because they wanted us to be able to do everything that was on their menu. So, I sometimes I want to say I was lucky, but I know that it was a pure blessing that my career started that way. Because they really set the tone, and because I was able to start off with such an amazing company, it made me go on into my solo practice even easier.
That’s amazing. What an awesome start to your career! I wanted to go back to teaching for a bit, I know you said you’re just a natural nurturer, so is that what made you want to get into it?
Yes. That’s definitely what made me want to get into teaching. I also saw a quote one day that’s one of my favorites: "Be to someone what you wish you had." And I can say I was very inspired by that quote because as an esthetics student, I wish I had a teacher that was more committed to my learning experience; I wish that I didn’t just feel like another number; I wish that I had more of an intensive learning environment.
And even once I obtained my license, I just wished I had a mentor or someone to kind of show me the ropes or give me advice. So, that also was a big inspiration for me, going into teaching.
What is your favorite topic or subject to teach to your students?
Okay, so with teaching, obviously, esthetics is my favorite. Because I do have multiple licenses, esthetics is my favorite. Once I dive into esthetics, I would have to say anatomy and physiology are my favorite subjects.
I believe that strong estheticians are built in anatomy and physiology. Because, when you understand how the skin works on a cellular level, it helps you to understand everything else, whether it’s product knowledge or using equipment on the skin.
If I asked your students what their favorite thing or feature is about your school, what would they say?
I believe that they would say, "It’s my knowledge." Being very tenured in my industry, I love to share my knowledge with my students. And I always say to them, "I don’t like to blow smoke or put up smoke screens."
I call it meat and potatoes. I’m going to give you what I know you need, what I know is going to be helpful, and what I know is going to help you elevate. So, I would say that what they mostly love about me is that I share my personal experience, and that’s the pros and the cons, because I do understand that people also learn from others’ mistakes.
So, in the mistakes that I’ve made, I also share those things. So, I think that they would mention that, and it’s also what I most commonly hear from them about me.
Did you have any challenges opening your business? What is the hardest thing about running your school? And if you have a staff, how was going through the hiring process?
Yes. So, for me, starting out in general, not just with my school but even as a solo esthetician, I would say that some of the challenges that I ran into were not allocating the correct funds, and the correct amount of funds. I didn’t allocate enough for marketing. I didn’t understand or value how important marketing would be in establishing a business.
Also, when I think about those funds, there's also the financial aspect of business operations: when you generate revenue, you still have to take into consideration that it’s not profit until you’ve deducted your expenses. So, I didn’t prepare for things like that. I was thinking, you know, you make some money and then you go spend it here or pay a bill or do something. In reality, you have to allocate it in the right place so that the business can keep funding itself.
So, that was an early challenge for me. When I was hiring staff in the beginning, one of my issues was that because I’m a very passionate person, sometimes I would hire or do a lot from my heart. And I’ve learned that it has to be a balance.
Because, even though people say, "Follow your heart," your heart won’t lead you wrong. That’s not always true. Sometimes, your heart wants to always see the good in people.
It wants to give the benefit of the doubt. In reality, we have to take other things into consideration: dependability, responsibility, and just overall personality traits.
So, early on, I had to learn that it’s okay to be passionate and to extend empathy and those kinds of things, but I still have to run my business as a business woman. And still, ultimately, do what’s best for the business.
I wanted to ask you, what brought you to the Miami-area and what do you like most about the area for your business? And just in general?
So, okay, for me, I’m from Miami. I was born and raised in Miami. So, you know, Miami was, for a long time, all I knew.
But what happened is I started to expand. I started to expand my networking and my demographics. The people who were hearing about me or reaching out to me started being a little further, and a little further, away.
So, from there, I started to actually target different demographics in different areas. And then I recently relocated to Port St. Lucie. So, I serve a lot of West Palm Beach, now.
And then I also go every weekend to Miami and to Broward, so that’s how I cover that tri-county area.
What advice do you have for estheticians that wish to open their own business one day?
So, first and foremost, financial discipline will be at the top. Because without that discipline, it’s going to be very hard to run your business successfully. So, having the financial discipline, insight, and budget—you know what I mean?
I would also say that you have to understand the value of marketing. And you cannot be afraid to put yourself out there or to put your business out there.
Another thing that I think is very important, is that self-care. I know that we throw that term around a lot, but it’s very important. Because something that I know happens with beauty professionals, or just anyone for that matter, is burnout.
Burnout is a real thing. And also, we live in a very technological and social media-driven time. And sometimes, without having a healthy balance, even that could burn you out.
Because, as you look around, it seems that everyone is doing so well and moving so quickly. And sometimes you could compare yourself and your business. And what that does for you is that it could actually hold you back.
Because, instead of focusing on your elevation, you’re kind of stuck, just feeling like you’re not moving fast enough. So, I will say that’s my top advice. Your finances, your marketing, and your self-care.
And then also get a mentor or business coach. Do not be afraid to ask for help. And to align yourself with people who are already successful at what you would like to do.
Do you have any tips or advice for estheticians that wish, to transition into education and becoming educators?
I do. So, for me, first things first, understand your state's laws and regulations. To me, I believe that to whom much is given, much is required.
And everyone kind of seems to think that once I know how to do something, I could just go out and charge someone and show them how to do it. So, I think that the ethical side of things is lost. I would say, first, understand your state’s laws and regulations. Practice and operate within those ethics.
And then from there, start to figure out what you want to do. Because it’s kind of broad in esthetics where you could teach basic esthetics, which is the licensing, or you could teach advanced esthetics, to estheticians who are already licensed. So, see which side of the spectrum you want to be on.
And make sure you are well-rounded and educated in those areas. I won’t put a timeline on how long you need to work in the industry, but I would say try to get some industry experience.
Because what makes a good instructor in esthetics is not just being able to teach what‘s in the book; it’s being able to hear and offer the students real-life scenarios, that they’ll run into in the spa industry.
So, for sure, I would definitely say try to get some experience and tenure under yourself. And also take a training program. Take a teacher training program that helps prepare a teacher, or a potential teacher, for teaching.
That’s actually what motivated me to create one of those programs. I realized that, a lot of times, when someone hires you, they’re hiring you feeling like you already know what to do and how to do it. You don’t always get formal training or a walkthrough.
So, being able to take some kind of training before and knowing what kind of things you can expect, could be very beneficial to you.
I wanted to make sure I asked you what do you love most about being an esthetician?
I love the human connection. I love the exchange of energy. I love that I can not only help you learn about your skin and treat it, but that for the time that you’re in my treatment room, I'm also helping you obtain self-care.
That’s me helping you relax. So, for me, I love that. I love being that person and being able to help someone, you know, obtain those kinds of things. Like relaxation and self-care and stuff like that.
Okay. I just wanted to know if you had any final words for any estheticians or esthetician students out there? And also where can we find you? What are your social media handles and your website?
So, yes my social media is @skinformationacademy and my website is skinformation.academy. So, my advice for any esthetician out there would be, obviously, if you need any advanced training, business coaching, or mentorship, reach out to Ms. B; she’ll be happy to assist.
But also to try not to self-sabotage.
Start off with a real plan—a real business plan. And if you are already in business, it’s not too late to go back to the drawing board. Start off with a real plan.
Put a real marketing plan in place, and go ahead and be consistent. Be consistent in your business, be consistent in your marketing, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.
And don’t search for perfection.
Perfection is a thief of time; focus on progress. As long as you’re putting one step forward—one foot in front of the other—you’re moving forward.
So, I always tell my students: don’t be afraid to work hard, but also don’t be afraid to take a break if necessary. Because, in all this business advice, I'd like them to know that self-care is always top tier.