Jimmy Buechele
@skincarewithjimmy
located in Louisville, KY
2 years in the industry
Madilynn Rodabaugh
located in Kokomo, IN
3+ years in the industry
Tessa Zolly
Virtual Esthetician based in San Francisco, CA
3 years in the industry
Allyson Fowler
located in Paragould, AR
1+ years in the industry
“It’s always been a dream of mine since high school. I grew up with a lot of acne, and that’s when I discovered what an esthetician was. I’ve been hooked ever since. “ Jimmy
“I decided to become an esthetician honestly because I loved popping pimples so much!” Madilynn
“Esthetics was a second career for me. I grew up thinking I wanted to be a beauty writer for a magazine. After working in corporate for magazines and media companies, I realized I didn’t know as much about beauty as I wish I did. At the same time, I was experiencing burnout from working at a desk 9 to 5. I got my first facial at this time, and the rest was history! Ever since I was little, I loved “playing spa,” giving my friends recommendations and looking at skincare. I think I was always meant to be an esthetician.” Tessa
“I became an esthetician because I love helping people. I want to make everyone feel beautiful in their own skin. I think that’s so important for your mental health, to love yourself.” Allyson
“Being a male esthetician is definitely one way. Another way is social media. I am constantly uploading new content, showing you how much fun skincare can be for EVERYONE. I try so hard in my treatment room to make sure everyone feels safe and welcomed. On my consultation form, one of my questions is, “what are your pronouns?” Just getting that right can make a huge difference in someone’s comfortability. Skincare should be a part of everyone’s life.” Jimmy
“A few things that help me stand out are 1. I am a results-driven based business. 2. I have struggled with acne before personally, so I know how to relate to people. 3. I am myself on social media.” Madilynn
“I would encourage everyone to follow two rules— do what you love, and be yourself. As cheesy as that sounds, it’s the best way to stand out just by being yourself. I don’t let norms of what an esthetician or someone my age “should” be doing for my career. And I think although it was tough at times to feel like I didn’t fit in, in the long run, this is what makes me unique.” Tessa
“I am a photographer/graphic designer/artist on the side! I love all things creative, and that really helps with my marketing and branding! It’s an excellent outlet for me as well!” Allyson
“Honestly, GlyMed inspires me. GlyMed is making being an esthetician so much fun. I get to wake up every day trying new ways to cocktail products or new protocols. The education they provide is amazing and on-trend. GlyMed truly cares about estheticians and making sure we’re prepared for anything.” Jimmy
“I have several things that inspire me. I follow some really amazing esthetician’s on social media that always make me want to become better and learn more. I have awesome clients who cheer on my small business, which makes me constantly want to improve and be the best I can be for them. I have friends and family who push me and are always there to help me when I need them.” Madilynn
“The esthetician community is so special and inspiring to me. I’ve never seen a group of professionals so dedicated to growing, learning, succeeding in business, satisfying our clients, and excelling the way estheticians do in marketing. It really keeps me on my toes and inspires me to see other estheticians in the industry leveling up in their business. None of us are competing because we all bring something different to the table. It’s really cool to be a part of, and I also feel like I’m surrounded by a community that is so close-knit but also motivating. I really think estheticians are some of the best people.” Tessa
“I love the Esthetician community on Instagram; most people are always so helpful and honest. I feel like we really have a genuine community of amazing estheticians from all over. They push me to be the best me I can be.” Allyson
“Just go out there and have fun with it. It’s that simple. Skincare should be enjoyed while also making a difference in your client’s life. Make sure you find the skincare tribe that you can call on for advice and network like heck.” Jimmy
“My advice to others is don’t give up on your dream. When I first became an esthetician, I struggled to find my passion within the industry. I truly found it when I stopped working for other people, opened up my own business, and did what I thought would be best for my clients. I was only 21. Don’t let anyone hold you back and try to tell you that you can’t do it because you’re young!” Madilynn
“My advice to anyone entering the industry would be to have patience. I know it feels like success needs to be instantaneous— we want to be business owners right away. Social media can really add to that pressure of wanting to flex to impress people. Taking your time to understand the standards of the spa business, better your education, and becoming financially ready to be a business owner are all so important. I’d encourage everyone to take their time. In the big scheme of things, I think a few years of practice and learning can go a long way for your business because we just don’t know what we don’t know. That research could save you a lot of financial and emotional heartache. Working for other businesses is almost like a paid internship— it’s an invaluable way to learn from your mistakes before they really affect your own business and clients. There’s no rush!” Tessa
“Research is so important. A lot of the time, your education actually starts once you step foot into a spa. The more research you do, the better off you are! Getting behind medical-grade lines like GlyMed can help a beginner esthetician SO much because of all the training and education they provide!” Allyson
“The industry means everything to me. I’m coming up on 4 years of sobriety, and the industry has been my safe place ever since. I’ve made so many new friends and colleagues through social media. We’re a small but growing group where everyone is accepted. I’m so lucky to wake up every day and get paid to play with skincare. I’m truly living my daydream.” Jimmy
“This industry means so much to me it is hard to put into words. I feel like we are on a constant incline. People are wanting esthetician treatments more than any other time before. It is so rewarding to see people wanting to take care of their skin! It is also so exciting to see so many more people choosing this career to help others! This industry is powerful and is only going up.” Madilynn
“Esthetics really has become my world. Caring for others and making a difference in how they feel about themselves is the most rewarding career I could find for myself. The skin we wear is what we show to the outside world— it’s not just a superficial thing— it affects us all. It’s being able to like what you see in the mirror when you start your day and maintain eye contact with the outside world. It can really change someone’s life, and I’m so grateful to be a part of that process. And the esthetician community— it really means a lot to me. My esty besties and clients I talk to online are the first people I think about in the morning. I love having that two-way support system has really been a strong foundation for my happiness, and it keeps me going!” Tessa
“I love this industry. It means everything to me. Making people feel beautiful in their own skin is one of the best gifts you can give someone. Confidence. Helping someone take their life back and love the skin they’re in.” Allyson
“Yes! When I first started to get repeat clients. It’s a very humbling feeling when clients get excited to come back for more treatments.” Jimmy
“My clients have definitely solidified Esthetics for me. I may be biased, but I feel like I have the best clients ever. I could never leave this career because of them. I truly love going to work and treating them!!” Madilynn
“I think through my own acne journey, and the long process of learning about my triggers for my skin has been tremendous in terms of showing me what clear skin can do for a person. I’ve definitely been in that position where I felt ashamed of my skin— hated going on dates, putting on makeup, even talking to people—because of my acne. It’s tough as an esthetician with acne because you can face criticism and have a lot of self-doubt about your worth in the industry. However, I want to change the messaging about acne—that it’s chronic and cyclical. It’s never anyone’s fault they’re experiencing acne, and it never takes away from your talent as an esthetician.
Developing my expertise with proper acne management can absolutely help with controlling the condition. While my acne will never be “cured,” I have come to learn and understand the condition— and how to treat and manage it successfully. While it wasn’t fun to go through, my own skin struggles have informed my own practice and really allow me to empathize and serve my own clients. I understand the gravity of treating each unique individual and want to do absolutely everything I can to make each client happy in their skin.” Tessa
“The first client I had that we cleared was life-changing for both of us. And that was powerful. She felt beautiful in her own skin again. She would send me pictures of her skin like weeks later and be so excited because she was GLOWING!!!” Allyson
If you are anything like me, reading through all of these estheticians sharing their stories enlightened me. They made me fall in love with this industry even more. I wanted to thank all of you for participating in this. I hope everyone reading this found something that inspired or educated them. Happy National Esthetician Day!